2005 Mazda MX-Crossport Concept

The 2005 Mazda MX-Crossport Concept was unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. It previewed Mazda’s vision for a crossover SUV with sports car styling, merging practicality with performance-inspired design. The concept directly influenced the production CX-7, which launched in early 2006.

The MX-Crossport was compact for its class, with a 110-inch wheelbase and 182.2-inch overall length. Its exterior drew heavily from Mazda’s RX-8, featuring pronounced front and rear fenders, a large lower grille, a flowing hood, and a steeply raked A-pillar. The result was a sleek, athletic SUV with strong visual aggression.

Inside, the concept continued the sporty theme. It had four individual leather bucket seats, foldable rear seats for cargo flexibility, and a three-spoke sport steering wheel. The interior layout emphasized a driver-focused experience while retaining utility.

Mazda confirmed at the Tokyo Motor Show that the concept would lead to a production model, the CX-7. When the CX-7 hit the market, it stayed very close to the MX-Crossport’s design and helped establish Mazda’s foothold in the U.S. crossover segment.