2009 had been a horrendous year for Japanese car brands in Singapore. The pricing and positioning of most Japanese cars here means that they are squeezed in between the more affordable but pretty impressive new Korean stars and the more prestigious and feature packed European models.

Mazda is one Japanese brand that has set much higher hopes for 2010. It has opened a spanking new showroom at Alexandra Road and is planning a new model blitz for the year which includes two new MPVs - the 5 and the 8 as well as an updated version of the 6. The updated CX-7 SUV takes centre stage for now.

Previously the CX-7 is only available with four-wheel drive and powered by the 6 MPS' 2.3-litre i-DSI turbocharged lump. Mazda obviously did its research, concluded that local SUV buyers hardly take their rides on the rough stuff and hence decided that all-wheel drive isn't really necessary for the CX-7 so only front wheel drive models are offered now. In addition to the 2.3-litre turbo version, Mazda has also introduced a less performance orientated but more fuel efficient and affordable normally aspirated 2.5-litre variant.

Outwardly, the new model can be differentiated from the old by the more prominent iteration of Mazda's five-point corporate nose design that we recently saw on the 3 and facelifted RX-8 and MX-5. The gaping lower grille, tinted headlamps as well as the integrated fog lamp (no fog lamps for the 2.5 so it's a dummy here) and side indicator housing on either sides give the CX-7 a slightly more imposing look when viewed from the front. The new nose is rather purposeful and has a sporty touch as well.

Along the flanks, it's the same as before other than the 17-inch alloys on the 2.5 while the 2.3 turbo gets new 18-inch rollers. The CX-7's rear end styling hardly ever looked convincing and this new variant is no different - the rear looks a tad heavy from most angles, a bit like the Porsche Cayenne in my opinion. The clear lenses for the tail lamps don't help as well - they manage to look a tad too ‘Max Power'.