As 2012 winds to an end, AutoGuide looks back at all the vehicles that received the axe this year, some that will be missed, while others surely won’t be.
Starting it off is the Acura ZDX, a crossover that had a very tough time breaking into the market. Priced at around $51,815 including delivery, the ZDX was hardly a hot seller for the Japanese automaker, and it’s clear that Acura can’t wait to move forward from it.
The new Mazda CX-5 will replace the CX-7, at least in the American market according to Mazda USA. Even though the CX-5 is slightly smaller than the outgoing CX-7, it has more cargo capacity and overall interior volume.
“[The] CX-5 has a clearer competitive set, unlike CX-7, which was in the middle of two segments,” said Mazda product communications specialist Beverly Braga.
The new CX-5 also sports Mazda’s new 2.0-liter Skyactiv four-cylinder engine (155-hp) that has much better fuel economy than the 2.5L four-cylinder (161-hp) found in the CX-7. The CX-5 boasts 26/32 mpg city/highway compared to the CX-7′s 20/28 mpg city/highway. In 2007, CX-7 sales peaked at 41,653 units but in 2009 the Japanese automaker only sold 20,583. Updates were scarce through the vehicle’s production, with a front-end redesign being the only major change.
The CX-7 will be discontinued in America after the current 2012 model year as the company plans to refocus its goals to better compete with Honda and Ford.
[Source: Motor Trend]
The Mazda CX-5 will enter the highly competitive compact crossover segment in the U.S when it debuts in early 2012. The CX-5 prototype was equipped with 165-hp 2.0-liter engine producing 150 lb-ft of torque and is mated to a six-speed manual transmission and the American version will likely use the same setup.
A diesel variant available in the U.S, equipped with a 2.2-liter, twin-turbo direct injection engine. The diesel will produce over 160-hp and about 310 lb-ft of torque.
The CX-5 will compete against the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Volkswagen Tiguan and Kia Sportage. The CX-5 will be 178.7 inches long, making it more than five inches shorter than the CX-7. The 106.3 inch wheelbase also makes it two inches shorter than the CX-7. The diesel will be added to the crossover in 2014 and will make its North American debut at the Los Angeles auto show in November. Mazda has yet to confirm pricing for the U.S market but Mazda reps say that the base model will sell for around $20,000.
Click here to read AutoGuide’s drive of the new Mazda SkyActiv prototype and see after the jump to watch the video:
Mazda will unveil a mid-cycle refresh to it’s award-winning CX-9 crossover SUV at the New York Auto Show. Mazda says the new 2010 model will be “heavily revised” from the 2009 model.
Included in the updates are a facelifted exterior as well as a revamped interior. Mazda also plans to add several new options and increase the overall safety of the vehicle with even more safety features.
Mazda’s press release says they also plan to further improve the “Zoom-Zoom” driving characteristics of the SUV. This might mean a revised suspension but it also might mean an optional V8 engine – we certainly hope so.
In addition to the new CX-9, Mazda will also have the 2010 CX-7 crossover on display – making it’s U.S.-debut after officially launching at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto in February.
The 2010 CX-7 also gets an exterior and interior refresh, as well as added safety and convenience features. One of the most notable new options is the new base engine. Previous models were only available with a 244hp turbocharged direct-injection 2.3-liter four-cylinder, whereas this new base engine is a non-turbo 2.5-liter four. Pricing has yet to be released but this new engine option should help make the 2010 significantly more affordable than the ’09 model.
We’ll bring you full details on both models with our New York Auto Show coverage starting April 8th.
