Nissan Xterra vs. Mazda CX-7 Review

Handling
With their comparable turning radii, the Mazda CX-7 and the Xterra most certainly handle almost the same into and out of tight spots.

Drivetrain
The Nissan Xterra's engine is tremendously larger than the Mazda CX-7's. Remember that more massive engines may use more gas than smaller ones. Torque is roughly equivalent to acceleration, and in this respect, the Nissan Xterra is tremendously more powerful than the CX-7. The Mazda CX-7 could learn a lesson or two from the Nissan Xterra as far as torque.

Utility
Neither the Nissan Xterra nor the Mazda CX-7 has a marked advantage when it comes to seating capacity. Towing is substantially more the Xterra's forte than it is the Mazda CX-7's.

Convenience
The Mazda CX-7's fuel tank will need to be replenished a little more often than the unit in the Nissan.

Comfort
While the front cabin in the Nissan offers a bit more head room than the Mazda CX-7, there really isn't much of a difference. The ampler interior dimensions of the Mazda CX-7 make it substantially more spacious for your passengers than the Nissan Xterra.

Dimensions
The Xterra is considerably heavier than the Mazda CX-7. Your wallet will hurt more every time you fill up the Xterra than the Mazda because of its larger tank. The Nissan Xterra and the CX-7 compete for the same parking spaces.

Cost
The destination charge is a standard charge for transporting the vehicle from its point of origin to the dealer. It costs roughly the same to get the Mazda CX-7 to the dealership as the Nissan Xterra. In terms of gas mileage, the CX-7 is a bit better than the Xterra, but not by much. The Xterra uses a lot of gasoline compared to the Mazda CX-7. With respect to MSRP, the Nissan Xterra doesn't cost much less than the Mazda CX-7.

Warranty
The Mazda CX-7 and the Nissan have the same basic after-sale protection.