Why a Used Mazda CX-7 Beats a New CX-5 by $20,000

The Mazda CX-5 has long been the brand's top seller, and it's easy to see why. It scores top marks from safety agencies, comes standard with all-wheel drive, handles like a dream, and starts under $30,000. But not everyone has that kind of cash to drop on a new ride. If your budget is tighter, there's a smarter play: a gently pre-owned Mazda CX-7.

This Ford C1-based mid-size crossover ended production in 2012, but it delivers much of what made the CX-5 a hit, reliability, practicality, and a price tag that tops out around $10,000. That's roughly $20,000 less than a new CX-5.

The CX-7 isn't perfect. The base model is front-wheel drive with only 161 horsepower, which feels sluggish for a mid-size SUV. 3-liter inline-four pushing 244 horses, plus all-wheel drive. 1 inches of ground clearance, it handles rough roads and light off-roading without breaking a sweat.

Towing tops out at 2,000 pounds, but as a daily driver, it's versatile enough for most environments. 6 with seats folded). It earned Good ratings in IIHS front and side tests and five stars from the NHTSA in most categories.

The biggest catch? 3-liter engine had a reputation for burning oil, failing variable valve timing actuators, and stretching its timing chain. 5-liter is more reliable, but both engines guzzle gas. 3-liter gets just 16 mpg in the city, and owners report 18 to 22 mpg combined with careful driving.

Maintenance runs about $470 per year, according to RepairPal, and CarEdge estimates $7,414 over 10 years. Still, finding a clean example with 60,000 to 70,000 miles and a full service history is possible, just have an expert inspect it first. If you can stretch your budget to $15,000, a used CX-30 might be a better bet.

But for under $10,000, the CX-7 remains a hard-to-beat value for anyone who needs a practical, capable Mazda SUV on a budget.