Mazda 3 first drive with SkyActiv G engine

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Gibson486

Gibson486

Lifer
Aug 9, 2000
18,378
2
0
Dam...I would love for my Mazda3 to get something over 22mpg....

Looks like a worthy refresher...I think it is a mistake that they are giving people 3 engines (not including the turbo) to choose from, though.
 
PricklyPete

PricklyPete

Lifer
Sep 17, 2002
14,582
162
106
Gibson486 said:
Dam...I would love for my Mazda3 to get something over 22mpg....

Looks like a worthy refresher...I think it is a mistake that they are giving people 3 engines (not including the turbo) to choose from, though.
Click to expand...

Looking at the website, it seems like they are offering 2 engines plus the turbo...so same as before. This SkyActiv engine is the base engine, the 2.5 is the next upgrade, then finally the MazdaSpeed 3 is the final upgrade.

What is really nice is that they seem to now offer the base engine with the 5 door. The only problem I see is that you can't get the manual, 5 door, and SkyActiv in top spec.
 
Gibson486

Gibson486

Lifer
Aug 9, 2000
18,378
2
0
PricklyPete said:
Looking at the website, it seems like they are offering 2 engines plus the turbo...so same as before. This SkyActiv engine is the base engine, the 2.5 is the next upgrade, then finally the MazdaSpeed 3 is the final upgrade.

What is really nice is that they seem to now offer the base engine with the 5 door. The only problem I see is that you can't get the manual, 5 door, and SkyActiv in top spec.
Click to expand...

Oh, I see. The site said it would offer the base engine as well as the new one. The one con I found with my Mazda3 was that the hatch had to have the bigger engine. I did not want the bigger engine because at the time I lived in the city. Glad to see they finally fixed that issue.
 
PricklyPete

PricklyPete

Lifer
Sep 17, 2002
14,582
162
106
Dman8777 said:
I prefer GM's approach with the Cruze. Turboftw
Click to expand...

Turbo's are great...no doubt, but there are negatives like upfront cost and possible reliability issues down the line. In an economy car like this, I would definitely weigh that as an issue.
 
Arkaign

Arkaign

Lifer
Oct 27, 2006
20,736
1,379
126
Very nice, and a HUGELY needed kick in efficiency to match the new Focus and Cruze. Considering the Focus is limited to 5spd manual (base and midlevel trim only), 6spd dct (mediocre reviews on that transmission at moment, perhaps sw tweaks will fix?), or 6spd manual (upcoming ST, but that's $$$$), I think the new 2.0di Mazda3 makes a nice option for being a well-balanced and affordable option.

I just wish that Mazda would update the Speed3 to the 2.5L motor at some point, sheesh :) I know the existing one is good, but a boost in fuel economy and power would be awesome. Probably too low volume to be worth messing with though. AWD would be even better, and it's easily doable on the C1 platform.
 
Arkaign

Arkaign

Lifer
Oct 27, 2006
20,736
1,379
126
Gibson486 said:
Dam...I would love for my Mazda3 to get something over 22mpg....

Looks like a worthy refresher...I think it is a mistake that they are giving people 3 engines (not including the turbo) to choose from, though.
Click to expand...

/agree. I think the old 2.0 should be dropped. I don't understand why companies often keep making old motor choices rather than streamlining them. Maybe it has to do with retooling the lines and so forth, but it seems inefficient to me. Ford's extended use of the 3.0L V6 in the Fusion is a head-scratcher as well, though it's finally due to be retired. That car should only come with the 2.5L i4 and 3.5L V6 (or ideally, the 3.7L V6).
 
PricklyPete

PricklyPete

Lifer
Sep 17, 2002
14,582
162
106
Arkaign said:
Very nice, and a HUGELY needed kick in efficiency to match the new Focus and Cruze. Considering the Focus is limited to 5spd manual (base and midlevel trim only), 6spd dct (mediocre reviews on that transmission at moment, perhaps sw tweaks will fix?), or 6spd manual (upcoming ST, but that's $$$$), I think the new 2.0di Mazda3 makes a nice option for being a well-balanced and affordable option.

I just wish that Mazda would update the Speed3 to the 2.5L motor at some point, sheesh :) I know the existing one is good, but a boost in fuel economy and power would be awesome. Probably too low volume to be worth messing with though. AWD would be even better, and it's easily doable on the C1 platform.
Click to expand...

I agree with everything you've said.
 
D

Dman8777

Senior member
Mar 28, 2011
426
8
81
When the choice is a small 4 cylinder (ie no torque) or a slightly smaller 4 cyl with turbo (slightly more torque at much lower rpm) I have a hard time believing anyone would choose the NA engine, all else being equal...
 
A

A5

Diamond Member
Jun 9, 2000
4,902
5
81
I want the Skyactiv-D diesel they mention in the CX-5 preview. 310 ft-lbs of torque @ 2,000 RPM!
 
JimKiler

JimKiler

Diamond Member
Oct 10, 2002
3,561
206
106
I like that review and cannot wait to test drive a skyactive car myself. Although now with two kids i need a bigger car than the Mazda3.

Per the review:

Even with only 155 hp, the Mazda 3 is a purer sport compact than some other cars with 50-100 hp more.
Click to expand...
 
Arkaign

Arkaign

Lifer
Oct 27, 2006
20,736
1,379
126
Dman8777 said:
When the choice is a small 4 cylinder (ie no torque) or a slightly smaller 4 cyl with turbo (slightly more torque at much lower rpm) I have a hard time believing anyone would choose the NA engine, all else being equal...
Click to expand...

No, the results just don't play that out :

http://www.examiner.com/autos-in-ne...-auto-show-0-60-mph-10-seconds-40-mpg-highway

Cruze 1.4T = 138HP/148TQ, 0-60 in 10 seconds.

Mazda3(SA2.0) = 155HP/148TQ, 0-60 in ~9-10 seconds.

Turbo cars also SUCK here during the summer (Texas, 100F+ on average 40-60 days, it's even nearly 90 right now), they really come alive when it is cooler.

There's also the issue of weight. For some reason the Cruze Eco is ~3000lbs. The Mazda3 SkyActiv is 2,872. It's possible some of that difference is in the related hardware of the turbo, who knows. It's strangely heavy though, when you consider that you're comparing cars nearly identical in size, but one has a 1.4 vs a 2.0.
 
PricklyPete

PricklyPete

Lifer
Sep 17, 2002
14,582
162
106
thescreensavers said:
0-60 in 9.6 sec It cant feel that fast can it?
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Nah...certainly not. But then again...we are talking about a ~40mpg car here. With that in mind, 0-60 in 9.6 isn't horrible...and that number is the mfg. estimated with the automatic. Manufacturers are usually very conservative, and it should be even faster with a manual.

For reference, the much more expensive Jetta TDI takes 8.8 seconds to get to 60 based on insideline.
 
Arkaign

Arkaign

Lifer
Oct 27, 2006
20,736
1,379
126
To be fair though, the Cruze has a better warranty in every respect.

The 1.8NA Cruze makes more sense to me for that model though, I just don't like tiny motors with turbos for no reasonable purpose. It's just added complexity and more moving parts. Don't get me wrong, on true performance cars that are well designed with it, a la 911, GT-R, MKIV Supra, etc, they can be truly awesome.
 
Arkaign

Arkaign

Lifer
Oct 27, 2006
20,736
1,379
126
PricklyPete said:
Nah...certainly not. But then again...we are talking about a ~40mpg car here. With that in mind, 0-60 in 9.6 isn't horrible...and that number is the mfg. estimated with the automatic. Manufacturers are usually very conservative, and it should be even faster with a manual.

For reference, the much more expensive Jetta TDI takes 8.8 seconds to get to 60 based on insideline.
Click to expand...

Good point. I know I've seen tests of the old 2.0 non-SA model Mazda3 w/5spd that showed 0-60 of around 9 flat, of course to get that you have to hard launch it and do very aggressive shifts right around redline, which I imagine a lot of typical magazine testers couldn't be more bored with on econoboxes.
 
Doppel

Doppel

Lifer
Feb 5, 2011
13,306
3
0
This could be a pretty attractive package. It's kind of amazing how literally in about the last years the small cars have had such a significant bump in MPG.
 
Zap

Zap

Elite Member
Oct 13, 1999
22,377
7
81
Doppel said:
It's kind of amazing how literally in about the last years the small cars have had such a significant bump in MPG.
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The technology has been brewing for a few years already. They're just putting it into action now probably as a reaction/anticipation of new CAFE standards. All the usual stuff like direct injection, electronic steering, slipperier oils, etc. all find their way into small cars so that more premium cars can concentrate on being premium while small cars raise CAFE to allow for premium cars.
 
NutBucket

NutBucket

Lifer
Aug 30, 2000
27,151
635
126
The other key is, consumers are willing to pay more for better fuel economy and also that they are demanding it.
 
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