2012 Mazda 3 40 mpgs hwy

[2000neon]

We should be better than 60 by now, my basically stock 94 civic is averaging 60 in almost freezing temps with mixed driving and short trips. I know emissions has become more strict, but improvements in aero and every form of technology should have compensated.

[Allch Chcar]

Guys, the EPA scores are competitive for this segment. Especially compared to Mazda's previous offering. There haven't been that many(if any) 40 MPG rated cars from Mazda and this isn't one either.

Compare Side-by-Side

Edit: Plus if you're looking for MPG and sporty, best bet is the Mazda2. Which seems to be underrated by the EPA test cycle compared to real world. http://www.fuelly.com/car/mazda/2

[Allch Chcar]

I am really looking hard at getting a Mazda3 HB i-touring(Skyactiv). I went for a test drive with the MT and even the AT. MT was slightly better IMHO so I'm going with that.

The gearing was really nice and the clutch was fairly light. The throws were longer than I expected, there was a delay for putting it into the next gear that took some getting used to. Granted, I had no trouble finding the next gear and once I settled into a rhythm it shifted nice and smooth. I spun the tires from a stop sign and stalled it once so I'm definitely out of practice.

While short shifting at 2k-2.5k RPMs it moved just fine, I didn't really push it too hard but it had plenty of power for me.

I didn't get a good picture of the fuel economy or at least I don't remember any. It has the small LCD screen up near the windshield that had a few gauges in it including MPG and such.

Overall I was impressed.

[sendler]

Originally Posted by Allch Chcar

real world. Mazda 2 MPG Reports | Fuelly

Fuelly is showing about 33 mpgUS for both the 2013 Mazda 2 and Mazda 3. Cruze is 33. New Fiesta 35. Focus drivers are lead foots at 28 mpgUS. Maybe Ford should get sued. Spark 37. The new Insight has been shunned because it doesn't get 58 like the previous generation but Fuelly shows 46 mpgUS and I was at the dealer yesterday and Honda has held the final sticker price to a very reasonable $19,200 for the car on the show room. Less than a Prius C and way more car. Prius C gets 51. Prius gets 48. Hyudai Elantra are also lead foots getting 29 mpgUS.
.
Imagine if they had put longer gearing into the manual trans Fiesta and Spark.

[sendler]

C-Max is only showing 37.5 mpgUS. Honda Fit gets 33.5 at half the price. Mazda 5 is only at 25.

[Blue Angel]

Originally Posted by sendler

Fuelly is showing about 33 mpgUS for both the 2013 Mazda 2 and Mazda 3. Cruze is 33. New Fiesta 35. Focus drivers are lead foots at 28 mpgUS.

I may be a little biased because I own a Cruze, but I'm pretty impressed with my 2012 Eco. Considering the size and weight of the car (which make it pretty smooth, quiet and substantial feeling), I'm getting outstanding mileage. Yes I drive properly to get that mileage, and yes my daily driving does not have much stop and go, but I'm still impressed.

The main reason I'm chiming in is WRT the Cruze Eco and the Focus SFE. These two models are not properly represented when looking at a Fuelly cross section of all vehicles.

I can't speak for the Ford, but the Eco's extra tall gearing makes great mileage easy, for me at least. This car really rewards fuel concious driving, and the various displays and mileage readouts let you keep an eye on how your habits are affecting your fuel use (IMO every car should have this as it encourages fuel efficient driving).

Allch Chcar, if you really require a HB body style then the Cruze won't be for you, but otherwise it might be worth a drive.

If mileage is near the top of your list of priorities I would arrange an extended test drive of any vehicle that you're considering. That will be the only way of knowing if it will perform up to your expectations in the environment YOU are going to be using it in. Example: A large part of my commute is done with the cruise control set around 75 km/h (~45 MPH). If I was buying a car with an automatic transmission I personally would want it to be in its top gear at that speed, but many cars won't go into top gear until around 80 km/h (~50 MPH). I wouldn't want to discover that AFTER buying it.

Regarding the hype over 40 MPG Hwy cars lately, I keep wondering how fuel efficient my last car, an '01 Saturn coupe, would have been if it had the Cruze Eco drivetrain... that Saturn was 500 lbs lighter and MUCH smaller, with a much larger 1.9L engine that had FAR shorter gearing. My 3000 lb 1.4L Eco is turning only 1500 RPM @ 50 MPH.

[Allch Chcar]

Originally Posted by sendler

C-Max is only showing 37.5 mpgUS. Honda Fit gets 33.5 at half the price. Mazda 5 is only at 25.

The Honda Fit is a good car no doubt about it. But it doesn't have the old base engine and a 2.5L model weighing down the numbers. The MPG I saw for Skyactiv models was pretty comparable. I saw quite a few with 37-42MPG so that's encouraging. The Fit is a bit smaller passenger wise and the transmissions are either the 4 speed auto or the 5 speed with really short gearing.

Originally Posted by Blue Angel

Allch Chcar, if you really require a HB body style then the Cruze won't be for you, but otherwise it might be worth a drive.

If mileage is near the top of your list of priorities I would arrange an extended test drive of any vehicle that you're considering. That will be the only way of knowing if it will perform up to your expectations in the environment YOU are going to be using it in. Example: A large part of my commute is done with the cruise control set around 75 km/h (~45 MPH). If I was buying a car with an automatic transmission I personally would want it to be in its top gear at that speed, but many cars won't go into top gear until around 80 km/h (~50 MPH). I wouldn't want to discover that AFTER buying it.

Yes, it has to be the hatchback. I was watching the FRS/BRZ for the longest time. Now that I'm looking to buy, I know that I need something that's fuel efficient and has ample passenger and cargo room. But it needs to have some pretenses of sportiness. I've heard the Cruze was more towards the cushy side so I marked it off the list immediately.

This is true about the longer test drive, but how do you arrange for that? I live a long way from the dealership so it's not really feasible to borrow it for more than the weekend and stay in town for that time.

[sendler]

The Mazda 2 didn't get a sky engine. I was being nice giving it 33 mpg which is the average on Fuelly for 2012 models. The 4 2013's are showing 30 so far. The Spark is the cheap car champ for a hatchback. A Fiesta drives a little nicer but costs more for the hatch. All of the numbers I quoted would be higher with more careful driving but would still be relative to one another.

[Blue Angel]

Originally Posted by Allch Chcar

This is true about the longer test drive, but how do you arrange for that?

In Canada I've heard several dealers advertising over night and multi day test drives. Not sure how things work with your local dealers, but it couldn't hurt to ask? You could also look into renting for a few days.

Regarding the cushy Cruze, the Eco has slightly lower/stiffer suspension than the regular car as well as 17" wheels vs. 16". Based on reviews, the Mazda 3 and Focus might still be a little sportier than the Eco, but I found the car to be quite lively and tossable.

Then I put a set of Eibach springs in it, and all traceability of "cushiness" is long gone. Front end grip was also noticeably improved; a very nice handling car now, just less tolerant of large bumps.

[Allch Chcar]

Originally Posted by sendler

The Mazda 2 didn't get a sky engine. I was being nice giving it 33 mpg which is the average on Fuelly for 2012 models. The 4 2013's are showing 30 so far. The Spark is the cheap car champ for a hatchback. A Fiesta drives a little nicer but costs more for the hatch. All of the numbers I quoted would be higher with more careful driving but would still be relative to one another.

The rumor is that the Mazda2 is getting canceled in the US. There is a Skyactiv Mazda2 overseas but it has the smaller engine.

Originally Posted by Blue Angel

In Canada I've heard several dealers advertising over night and multi day test drives. Not sure how things work with your local dealers, but it couldn't hurt to ask? You could also look into renting for a few days.

Interesting, I'll look into taking a longer test drive, the 10 minute drive wasn't really enough to seal the dal. The car I want has 7 miles on it and I don't know the dealer so there's no guarantees. Plus I found that my credit wasn't as good as I thought, I got a pre-qual of 8% APR.