SKYACTIV
Quick Drive: 2013 Mazda CX-5 Sport
There is a definite upside to this little engine, though, in that it is very fuel-efficient. Achieving 26 miles per gallon in the city, and an impressive 35 mpg on the highway, the manual-equipped CX-5 is a class leader when it comes to sipping fuel. We found stretching out the life of a tank of gas to be surprisingly easy on a long highway trip, even with two other passengers and the cargo area packed pretty tightly. We saw nearly 32 mpg over the course of 535 miles, during our week of use.
Quick Drive: 2012 Mazda3 Skyactiv Five-Door
As ever, the Mazda3 has got to be seen as almost the default compact car choice for any driver that a) cares about handling and good driving dynamics, or b) wants a sizeable hatchback that still offers great fuel economy.
Driven: 2012 Mazda3 Skyactiv
You can still buy a Mazda3 i with the same old “MZR” 2.0-liter inline-four available in last year’s model, at the low price of $15,200. That motor will net you 148 horsepower, 135 pound-feet of torque, and 33 miles per gallon on the highway. You’ll also have to settle for an older transmission, be it a manual or automatic, five-speed either way. If you have the extra $3250 to spare, though, you’ll definitely want to opt for the new Skyactiv model. If you’re just playing the numbers game, you’ll like that it offers more power (155 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque), as well as improved fuel economy (27/39 mpg with the manual transmission). From our experience, though, the numbers are never enough basis to make those kinds of decisions, especially when we’re going to want to be able to have some fun with the car. As always, we need to actually pilot the vehicle to get a true sense of its merits as a driver’s car.
Driven: Mazda Skyactiv Technologies
Mazda has embarked on a program of technological advancement that is pretty remarkable, and a bit exhausting to take in all in one sitting. The company is nearing the endpoint of a project it started some five years ago, one whose overarching goals were to make its vehicles cleaner and more efficient, while not throwing away the enthusiastic character that has pervaded Mazda’s lineup to date.
Mazda Announces Plans For 2011 Geneva Auto Show
While Acura has already announced part of its 2011 Chicago Auto Show lineup, Mazda has skipped ahead to its Geneva Show plans. When the world’s media descends on Switzerland for press days on March 1 and 2, Mazda will be treating them to a new concept titled MINAGI, as well as the Zoom-Zoom manufacturers SKYACTIV technologies.
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