2012 Mazda CX-7 — Full Specifications
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Running gear matters most — before anything else, UK: check tyre prices at TirendoUS: check wheel & tyre prices at WheelHero for this car's fitment.
The 2012 Mazda CX-7 is an SUV offered with 2 engines (2.3L 4-cyl turbo, 2.5L 4-cyl). Its most fuel-efficient configuration returns around 26 mpg (UK) / 22 mpg (US EPA) combined, with 23–26 mpg (UK) across all configurations. Owners often keep a Mazda CX-7 workshop manual to hand for servicing and repairs.
Compared with the 2011 Mazda CX-7: Fuel economy slips from 28 to 26 mpg (UK) combined on the most efficient configuration. The engine line-up listed by EPA is unchanged.
Full Specifications
| Engine (most efficient) | 2.5L 4-cyl |
|---|---|
| Engine options | 2.3L 4-cyl turbo · 2.5L 4-cyl |
| Transmission (most efficient) | Automatic (S5) |
| Fuel Type | Regular Gasoline |
| Powertrain | Conventional |
| Drive | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Body Style | SUV |
| Fuel Economy (UK) | 26 combined / 24 urban / 32 extra-urban mpg |
| Fuel Economy (US EPA) | 22 combined / 20 city / 27 highway mpg |
| CO₂ Emissions | 251 g/km |
| EPA Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $3,050 (15,000 mi/yr, US prices) |
Engine & Transmission Options
EPA lists 3 configurations for the 2012 Mazda CX-7 across 2 engines (2.3L 4-cyl turbo, 2.5L 4-cyl). Combined fuel economy ranges from 19 to 22 mpg (US), or 23 to 26 mpg (UK), depending on engine, transmission and drive. The headline figures at the top of this page describe the most fuel-efficient configuration.
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG (UK) | MPG (US) | CO₂ g/km | Fuel cost / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | 4-Wheel Drive | 23 | 19 (17/21) | 291 | $4,350 |
| 2.3L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 20 (18/24) | 276 | $4,100 |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic (S5) | Front-Wheel Drive | 26 | 22 (20/27) | 251 | $3,050 |
MPG (US) shows combined, with city/highway in brackets. Highlighted row = the configuration used for the headline figures. Source: US EPA fueleconomy.gov.
Owner Essentials for the 2012 Mazda CX-7
Running Costs: 2012 Mazda CX-7
Covering around 8,000 miles a year in a 2012 Mazda CX-7 at 26 mpg combined, expect roughly 1,399 litres of fuel annually — multiply by your local price per litre for a cost estimate. For US owners, the EPA estimates about $3,050 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration (15,000 miles, national average prices). Work out exact fuel costs with the fuel cost calculator on 247Calculators.
Convert between MPG and L/100km with the unit converters on 247QuickTools. Not sure what tyre size fits? 247TyreCheck explains tyre sizing.
Planning a road trip? Grab a road trip packing list. Only need this car occasionally? See our buy vs rent comparison.
2012 Mazda CX-7 Safety Ratings (NHTSA)
No NHTSA crash-test rating is on record for this model year. The NHTSA rates only a subset of vehicles each year; you can browse every rated vehicle on our NHTSA Safety Ratings hub.
Recalls & Owner Complaints (NHTSA)
NHTSA lists 4 safety recall campaigns that include the 2012 Mazda CX-7 (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Air bags (3), Suspension (1). 3 campaigns carried a “do not drive” or “park outside” advisory. A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
- Air bags — campaign 19V782000, reported 31 October 2019. Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Air bags — campaign 18V717000, reported 12 October 2018. Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Air bags — campaign 17V457000, reported 18 July 2017. Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Suspension — campaign 16V593000, reported 11 August 2016. Risk: A loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash.
Owners have filed 39 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Mazda CX-7. The most-reported areas are Suspension (14), Air bags (12), Exterior lighting (7). Complaints include 4 reported crashes, 2 reported injuries.
Used-buyer checklist for the 2012 Mazda CX-7
Based on where NHTSA recalls and owner complaints cluster for this model year, these are the areas worth checking before you buy:
- Air bags (3 recall campaigns · 12 owner complaints) — Confirm any air bag inflator or module recalls were completed — enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Suspension (1 recall campaign · 14 owner complaints) — Listen for knocks over bumps and check tyre wear for signs of alignment problems.
- Lighting (7 owner complaints) — Check every exterior light works and look for moisture inside the lamp housings.
- Electrical system (5 owner complaints) — Test every switch, window, light and warning lamp on a test drive, and ask about battery or alternator replacements.
Source: US NHTSA recall and consumer-complaint databases, retrieved 6 October 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects. Check any vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and see our guide to checking a used car for recalls.
How It Compares
How does the Mazda CX-7 compare to similar SUVs? SUVs in our database average around 27 mpg (UK) combined — this model sits close to that average, within 1 mpg. This comparison is based on 1824 SUVs in our dataset.
Mazda models in our database average about 34 mpg (UK) combined on their most efficient configuration; the 2012 Mazda CX-7's 26 mpg is 8 mpg below that make average. Its 251 g/km CO₂ figure is 53 g/km higher than the 198 g/km Mazda average.
Last updated: · Data: US EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and NHTSA safety ratings 18 July 2026; NHTSA recalls and complaints 6 October 2026; Wikidata & curated EU catalogue 18 July 2026; European generation and engine data from Wikipedia 7 October 2026
Vehicle data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Always verify with your vehicle handbook or a qualified mechanic. This is a reference tool, not professional advice.
Recommended Accessories for the 2012 Mazda CX-7
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2012 Mazda CX-7 have?
EPA lists 2 engines for the 2012 Mazda CX-7: 2.3L 4-cyl turbo, 2.5L 4-cyl. The most fuel-efficient configuration pairs the 2.5L 4-cyl with a automatic (s5).
What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Mazda CX-7?
The most efficient configuration returns around 26 mpg (UK) combined, or 22 mpg on the US EPA cycle. Across all configurations the UK combined figure runs from 23 to 26 mpg.
How much does the 2012 Mazda CX-7 cost to fuel per year?
The US EPA estimates about $3,050 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration, based on 15,000 miles of mixed driving and national average fuel prices. Your own cost will depend on mileage and local prices.
Does the 2012 Mazda CX-7 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 4 safety recall campaigns that include the 2012 Mazda CX-7 (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Air bags (3), Suspension (1). 3 campaigns carried a “do not drive” or “park outside” advisory. A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
What are the most common problems reported for the 2012 Mazda CX-7?
Among the 39 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are Suspension (14 complaints), Air bags (12 complaints), Exterior lighting (7 complaints). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects, and raw counts rise with how many cars were sold.
Is the Mazda CX-7's fuel economy good for an SUV?
It returns around 26 mpg (UK) combined, against a same-body-style average of roughly 27 mpg among the SUVs we track.