Anyone compared '08 CX-7 with Rogue? Rogue louder when cold?

[elee532]

So, I drove a 2008 CX-7 and Rogue this weekend. After all I had been reading, I was convinced that I was going to prefer the Rogue. However, I found the CX-7 to be a considerably quieter driver (less engine noise in the cabin in particular). The Rogue salesman did mention that the Rogue would be quiter when warmed up (temp was below zero and CX-7 was warm when I drive it and Rogue was ice cold).

I'll probobaby go back for a second drive of the Rogue. Just wondering if anyone else had any thoughts on the comparison of the two or whether in fact the Rogue might be quieter once it warms up.

Any other thoughts about the comparison between these two?

Thanks.

[Ticmxman]

I can't speak for the CX7, but I find my Rogue to be very quiet at a cruising speed of course road surfaces will effect this to a degree. That being said I have noted that the motor is a little noisey when it's very cold and you start it up for the first time for the day. Would synthetic oil help this is a question I have.

Car and driver had some sound decibel ratings in their test and the Rogue did well.

http://www.caranddriver.com/as...n.pdf

[cdmuile]

The CX7 is definitely a desirable vehicle. Sooo cool (zoom, zoom). The premium gas requirement was the major item for us. $.20 a gallon more adds up fast. We decided we could live with less 'zoom'. But with the Rogue, not much less zoom.

[Lightforce18]

the Rogue does have alot of road noise when it rains or snows. But I always have my music blasting so it never bothers me

[Rogueman]

I think all cars are noisy when the engine and transmission is still cold =/

[BrianV]

It should quiet down when the car warms up, but not drastically.

Also, to another poster, synthetic won't make the engine any quieter or smoother. You may think it does, but it doesn't, that'd just be what is commonly referred to on automotive forums as, "Placebo Effect".

[mmyye]

i tried cx7 and i think cx7 is 6 cylinder, and in general 6 is quieter than the 4 .

[BrianV]

i tried cx7 and i think cx7 is 6 cylinder, and in general 6 is quieter than the 4 .

It's a 4 cylinder turbo; it's actually smaller than the Rogue @ 2.3L.

The reason the Rogue is noisier is because the CVT transmission off of the line loves to rev in the 3500+ RPM range which makes a lot of racket. That's why many editors think the CVT in this application is a little unbalanced. The V6s offer more torque and are much quieter and higher revs so cars like the Maxima and Murano work much better with the CVT.

On the highway, the Rogue is VERY quiet, almost luxury car quiet; it's just not the quietest engine when scooting around town.

[BrianV]

PS - in regards to my last reply.

The high rev CVT thing can be mitigated by using the paddle shifters, but most people don't see that as a solution.

[philipa_240sx]

The older gen QR25 in my '03 Altima is definitely louder after a cold start, but once warmed up it definitely gets quieter. The Rogue uses the 2nd gen QR25DE motor. I have test driven the Rogue and this newest gen motor seems quieter, I would like to see it after 50,000km though. Also keep in mind the QR25DE is a longer stroke motor (89mm bore x 100mm stroke) vs. the Mazda 2.3 (87.4 mm bore x 94mm stroke). I expect the longer stroke Nissan to have more vibration. BTW, both motors have balance shafts to lessen vibration.

Unfortunately I have not driven a CX-7 for comparison.

As for synth vs. dino oil and it's effects on noise, it depends on the oil. Case in point: the QR25DE seems to like the heavier 0W-30 German Castrol Syntec I now use vs. Mobil 1 5W30 I used previously. Castrol 0W30 has been tested by others and found it's towards the 40 weight end of the scale. I get a bit less engine noise overall than the Mobil1.

[elee532]

The reason the Rogue is noisier is because the CVT transmission off of the line loves to rev in the 3500+ RPM range which makes a lot of racket. That's why many editors think the CVT in this application is a little unbalanced. The V6s offer more torque and are much quieter and higher revs so cars like the Maxima and Murano work much better with the CVT.

On the highway, the Rogue is VERY quiet, almost luxury car quiet; it's just not the quietest engine when scooting around town.

Thanks for the explanation.

[silvaice]

I'm sure the rogue will have better resale value.

[Briguy1027]

I did go to the Mazda dealer but i didn't test drive the Cx-7 -- liked a lot of things about it, but the gas mileage was substantially lower than the Rogue, a critical thing now that I can easily spend over 50 dollars a tank now .

[kerrton]

I don't think you can really compare the two, as the CX7 is much higher priced. That being said the Rogue competes very well and probably beats out the Mazda in a lot of areas, but it's the price tag on the Mazda that eliminated it from my list.

In my opinion the Rogue is a very fair price, whereas the CX7 is overpriced simply because it is a new Mazda "crossover" vehicle, so they expect you to pay more for it.

If I were you, I'd go for the Rogue if you can live with the CVT transmission's negative attributes (i.e. high revs around town). Me, I love it - it's positive attributes far outweigh the negatives - it is super smooth and saves fuel!!

[wftright]

I like a great deal of room, and the CX-7 felt claustrophobic to me. I'm still not sure that I'll get the Rogue because of a lack of room around my left knee. With the CX-7, I didn't even bother driving because I felt uncomfortable. Of course, if you've driven both and not had an issue, then this concern is irrelevant to you.

[philipa_240sx]

The CX-7 is more of a direct competitor to the Murano, not the Rogue. Even though the are somewhat similar in size, the CX-7 is in another price class above the Rogue... by some $6000 (CDN pricing) and then some. Probably the biggest negative of the CX-7 is it's thirsty 4cyl turbo that only takes premium gas.

The Tribute is a more direct compeitor to the Rogue. As we all know, the Rogue wins hands down!

[kerrton]

Yeah, and actually I wouldn't even say that the Tribute is a direct competitor with the Rogue (although it is often compared), as it is a true SUV on a truck frame, whereas the Rogue is a crossover vehicle. So really, the Rogue is in a class almost all alone!!!

[kross1]

This is an older thread, but......

We just traded in our Mazda CX-7 (2007) for a 2009 Rogue SL, fully loaded. After a couple months here are my basic findings/differences:

Mazda 2007 CX-7 4 cyl 2.3L: Turbo is FUN! ZOOM-ZOOM! 2007 required 91 octane, but runs fine on 89. 20mpg average.Handles GREAT in all weather, all speeds.

2009 Rogue SL AWD: Quick enough, CVT is "different", but I like it.Bigger 2.5L engine, 25-30% better fuel economy, usng cheap 87 octane! Like this a lot. 25-26 mpg average.Does NOT handle as well as the Mazda CX-7 at 75-80 mph, especially in cross-winds. Need to verify my tire presures still though.

Basically, the Mazda CX-7 runs a few thousand dollars more than the rogue, so we traded a basic model CX-7 for a fully loaded Rogue SL, have about the same car payment, and are saving 25-30% on gas.... that's nice.

By the way the Bose stereo on the CX-7 is FAR SUPERIOR to the Bose piece-of-crap sold on the 2009 Rogue SL. They both suck for the money, but the Mazda CX-7 Bose sucks less, more bass, better volume/clarity, etc.

[Briguy1027]

Interesting findings -- Most of them I would say would be a wash except for the stereo. If the Mazda's is better that's definitely a plus for that vehicle. I don't understand why they all brag about Bose stuff being so great when it never seems to be when you talk to any auto audio enthusiast or even someone who just likes to listen to music in their car.

[philipa_240sx]

Mazda has introduced a non-turbo 2.5l 4 cyl in 2010 CX-7's. It's only available in FWD models. This should broaden the appeal as it takes regular unleaded instead of the premium gas required for the turbo 2.3L motor.

[ahhbeebee]

wow, all this slagging on the turbo. I haven't driven the CX-7, but the Speed3... awesome fun!

Sure it sips premium, but it (along with the 2.0L from VW) are among the best turbos I've driven. Sometimes you got to give up fuel mileage to have TONNES of fun.

[philipa_240sx]

I don't doubt the appeal of turbo motors... they can be alot of fun. But with gas prices starting to climb again, who can afford premium fuel?

[kerrton]

Just got back from the Mazda dealer, getting my wife's Mazda3 oil changed....had some time to check out the new Mazda models and thought I'd share: a nice loaded CX7 direct-Rogue-competitor was staring at me. Very nice vehicle but the more I looked at it, the more I LOVE my Rogue!!

First of all, the SALE price of $43,500 made me choke on my coffee!! And tax would surely be added on top of it. I couldn't stand the almost-horizontal windshield, and resulting deep dash. I noticed right away that the leg room in front passenger and the rear seats is less than the Rogue, and the gas mileage was absolutely TERRIBLE. By comparison, I paid $28,000 Canadian for my FWD SL and get way better efficiency, roominess, and no premium-sipping turbo engine. For this huge sticker price I would at least expect a V6. Mazda makes a hell of a nice car, but I think they've got a way to go if they want to compete with Nissan crossovers, specifically the Rogue.

[philipa_240sx]

Mazda's direct competitor to the Rogue in terms of price/size is the Tribute/Ford Escape twin, not the CX-7. The CX-7 has been compared to the Murano.

When the non-turbo, FWD, CX-7 becomes available later this year, it will likely be comparable to a loaded SL FWD Rogue in terms of price. Content wise however, the Rogue will likely be a better value.

IMHO, Mazda's strength is thier compact cars... the Mazda 3.

[ahhbeebee]

and the miata, or mx-3 or whatever its called these days. That's their real star - with little true competition.

the mazda3 maybe nice, but that's such a competitive class of vehicles.