Is 157 hp and 163 pf of torque enough for a 3400 lb vehicle?

[DesiPower]

just wondering... was looking at Mazda 5, not planning to buy anytime soon, but do need a roomier vehicle with fold down seats. Mileage is of utmost concern, don't want to spend a fortune on Hybrids either... already have a Camry.

The 5 looks attractive but is 157 hp and 163 pf of torque enough to pull a 3400 lb vehicle? anyone here has any perosnal experience?
Is it OK in long run? wont a small engine (and transmission) pulling that heavy vehicle wear out quickly? Also, how is Mazda in terms of long term reliability?

 

[bfdd]

163lb of torque should be enough. they wouldn't sell it if it wasn't

 

[mb]

Yes.

It wouldn't be enough for me personally, but yes it's enough for the car.

 

[satyajitmenon]

Depends. If it's just you driving to work, sure. If you're taking 4 people and luggage, then it'll probably struggle up freeway ramps.

 

[Howard]

It's not horrible.

 

[LTC8K6]

Sounds like it will be slow, and very slow with a load of people or junk.

 

[MotF Bane]

It'll function, but slowly.

 

[LTC8K6]

About the 2012 Mazda5

•What? A true minivan, or a mini-minivan when compared with the likes of Caravan, Odyssey and Sienna. Front-drive, six-passenger van based on the Mazda3 compact-car platform.

•When? On sale Jan. 11.

•Where? Made in Japan.

•How much? $19,990 for Sport with six-speed manual transmission (MT) to $24,670 for Grand Touring with five-speed automatic (AT).

•How powerful? 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine rated 157 horsepower at 6,000 rpm, 163 pounds-feet of torque at 4,000. Six-speed MT available on base model; all others have five-speed AT.

•How big? Nearly 2 feet shorter, a foot narrower than a conventional family van. Mazda5 is 180.5 inches long, 68.9 inches wide, 63.6 inches tall on a 108.3-inch wheelbase.

Weighs 3,417 (MT) or 3,457 (AT) lbs. Rated to carry 1,193 (MT) or 1,228 (AT) lbs. of people, cargo, accessories.

Cargo space: 5.6 cubic feet behind third row, 27.5 cu. feet with third row folded.

Turning circle diameter, 36.7 feet.

•How thirsty? All versions rated 21 miles per gallon in town, 28 mpg on the highway, 24 in combined city-highway use.

Grand Touring test vehicle's trip computer registered 18.3 mpg (5.46 gallons per 100 miles) in mostly suburban driving with a little highway use.

Burns regular, holds 15.9 gallons.

•Overall: Drives great; quiet, comfy, but interior seems a bit cheap.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/reviews/healey/2011-01-06-2012-mazda5-review_N.htm

 

[jlee]

Sure it's enough..it just won't be fast.

 

[ElFenix]

About the 2012 Mazda5

•What? A true minivan, or a mini-minivan when compared with the likes of Caravan, Odyssey and Sienna. Front-drive, six-passenger van based on the Mazda3 compact-car platform.


•How big? Nearly 2 feet shorter, a foot narrower than a conventional family van. Mazda5 is 180.5 inches long, 68.9 inches wide, 63.6 inches tall on a 108.3-inch wheelbase.

which basically makes it the same size (actually a little longer) than the original dodge caravan

 

[DesiPower]

which basically makes it the same size (actually a little longer) than the original dodge caravan

...and Previa

 

[punjabiplaya]

test drove the 2.0 and 2.5 in the 3, that 2.5 is pretty good. I love Mazda's belief in long(ish) strokes to give all the power in the middle. Go test drive!

 

[JulesMaximus]

About the 2012 Mazda5

•What? A true minivan, or a mini-minivan when compared with the likes of Caravan, Odyssey and Sienna. Front-drive, six-passenger van based on the Mazda3 compact-car platform.

•When? On sale Jan. 11.

•Where? Made in Japan.

•How much? $19,990 for Sport with six-speed manual transmission (MT) to $24,670 for Grand Touring with five-speed automatic (AT).

•How powerful? 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine rated 157 horsepower at 6,000 rpm, 163 pounds-feet of torque at 4,000. Six-speed MT available on base model; all others have five-speed AT.

•How big? Nearly 2 feet shorter, a foot narrower than a conventional family van. Mazda5 is 180.5 inches long, 68.9 inches wide, 63.6 inches tall on a 108.3-inch wheelbase.

Weighs 3,417 (MT) or 3,457 (AT) lbs. Rated to carry 1,193 (MT) or 1,228 (AT) lbs. of people, cargo, accessories.

Cargo space: 5.6 cubic feet behind third row, 27.5 cu. feet with third row folded.

Turning circle diameter, 36.7 feet.

•How thirsty? All versions rated 21 miles per gallon in town, 28 mpg on the highway, 24 in combined city-highway use.

Grand Touring test vehicle's trip computer registered 18.3 mpg (5.46 gallons per 100 miles) in mostly suburban driving with a little highway use.

Burns regular, holds 15.9 gallons.

•Overall: Drives great; quiet, comfy, but interior seems a bit cheap.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/reviews/healey/2011-01-06-2012-mazda5-review_N.htm

Jesus...My Maxima gets slightly more than that in city driving but it makes 255hp.

 

[MotF Bane]

Jesus...My Maxima gets slightly more than that in city driving but it makes 255hp.

And with a more comfortable motor.

 

[desy]

If its not anytime soon
The Ford Grand Cmax is coming out in a yr and it should have the ecoboost
http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/07/2012-ford-grand-c-max-first-drive-review/

 

[PricklyPete]

Jesus...My Maxima gets slightly more than that in city driving but it makes 255hp.

Not according to cars.com:

http://www.cars.com/nissan/maxima/2003/

Of course I'd rather have the Maxima and the VQ anyday, but the Maxima doesn't have same space or the less than aerodynamically ideal shape of the Mazda 5...so we're really talking apples and oranges.

 

[kornphlake]

I test drove one and though the power was acceptable, not quite as quick as a normal size mini-van, but adequate for a family hauler. Mazda dealerships are the worst I've dealt with and the size of the cargo area with all seats upright is just a little too small to be practical for my family. My Sienna was like 210hp and weighed close to 4000 lbs, aside from not having a lot of torque at low RPM, I felt like it had too much power for what it was and could have gotten a little better MPG.

 

[jlee]

Not according to cars.com:

http://www.cars.com/nissan/maxima/2003/

Of course I'd rather have the Maxima and the VQ anyday, but the Maxima doesn't have same space or the less than aerodynamically ideal shape of the Mazda 5...so we're really talking apples and oranges.

Grand Touring test vehicle's trip computer registered 18.3 mpg (5.46 gallons per 100 miles) in mostly suburban driving with a little highway use.

Jesus...My Maxima gets slightly more than that in city driving but it makes 255hp.

EPA Fuel Economy:
City: 20 – 21 Highway: 26 – 28
Available Engines:
255-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 (premium)

 

[Elfear]

Jesus...My Maxima gets slightly more than that in city driving but it makes 255hp.

Well to be fair an LS3 Vette gets that around town if driven with a light foot and makes 430hp. Can't really compare vehicles like that though.

The new Mazda5 gets 2mpg better in the city than my Caravan. I'm curious to see how much room there is inside compared to a conventional minvan.

 

[ponyo]

That's under the old EPA estimates. Under the new estimates that same Maxima is rated at 17 city and 24 highway.

My Sienna drops to 17 city and 23 highway under the new estimates.

 

[jlee]

That's under the old EPA estimates. Under the new estimates that same Maxima is rated at 17 city and 24 highway.

My Sienna drops to 17 city and 23 highway under the new estimates.

Even so, it's not implausible that he is seeing slightly better than 18.3mpg. EPA estimates are exactly that - estimates.

 

[DesiPower]

Jesus...My Maxima gets slightly more than that in city driving but it makes 255hp.

last time I checked Maxima, has 290 HP. According to Fueleconomy EPA is 22 combined, BUT with premium gas and a much higher price tag.

I have a 03 255 hp one, I get about 19-20 MPG.

 

[ponyo]

Even so, it's not implausible that he is seeing slightly better than 18.3mpg. EPA estimates are exactly that - estimates.

Oh I understand. I'm sure he's getting better than the new EPA estimates. New estimates are pretty conservative. But I don't understand why he mentioned his 255 hp Maxima and compared the gas mileage to a 157hp minivan. Someone could say why his 255 hp Maxima only gets 17/24 when 638 hp ZR1 gets 14/20.

 

[drnickriviera]

You guys don't know slow until you've been in a Merc 240D. 60HP and 3200LBS.
150HP is plenty. My 300D with 125HP can cruise at 80mph with no problems.

 

[jlee]

Oh I understand. I'm sure he's getting better than the new EPA estimates. New estimates are pretty conservative. But I don't understand why he mentioned his 255 hp Maxima and compared the gas mileage to a 157hp minivan. Someone could say why his 255 hp Maxima only gets 17/24 when 638 hp ZR1 gets 14/20.

You'd think with fuel economy as low as the minivan has, it would have more than 157hp. The newest Honda Odyssey is rated 18/27/21 and it has 248hp/250tq.