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What is this discussion about? Mazda MAZDA5, Wagon

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#1146 of 1355 Re: thoughts on 5 [idavidson] by twain Mar 25, 2007 (8:38 am)
Replying to: idavidson (Mar 25, 2007 4:54 am) So the take home message is, do not rely on official consumption numbers. Check what people are actually getting. --------------------------------   I understand what you're saying and you're probably right. But it's very difficult to go by the mpg reported by individuals. It could be anywhere from 15 to 40. We need a reliable mpg system that is accurate. Maybe the new one will be.   When the EPA rates a 4300lb vehicle with 250hp and a 3300lb vehicle with 157hp only a mile or two apart, something is askew. The lighter vehicle should get at least 5mpg better. To make the sacrifice in size and power worthwhile.   As you say, maybe the fault isn't with the vehicle or its designers but with the EPA system. Because if the Mazda5 really is getting 28hwy while the Odyssey and Sienna are getting 20, that's acceptable. But it's too bad the EPA figures don't reflect that difference. Replies to this message: bobw3 (Mar 29, 2007 9:40 am) microrepair (Apr 03, 2007 8:25 pm)
#1147 of 1355 Re: thoughts on 5 [twain] by bobw3 Mar 29, 2007 (9:40 am)
Replying to: twain (Mar 25, 2007 8:38 am) Some folks on the Rondo forum are getting about 20mpg average, but I know what you mean about what's reported for different size vehicles. I own a Freestyle and a Fit and in general for the same driving conditions, the Fit will get about 40-50%% better mpg than the Freestyle.   So on the highway, I'll get about 25mpg driving in the low 70s MPH with the Freestyle, and about 36mpg. If I keep the speed between 65-70 MPH, I'll get about 26mpg with the Freestyle and about 38mpg with the Fit. And around town I'll get in the low 20s mpg with the Freestyle and in the low 30s mpg with the Fit.   So based on the vehicle sizes, the 45% difference makes sense to me. Now something like a Mazda5 or Rondo are in between the Freestyle and Fit in size, so I would think that something of these sizes should be able to get at least what my Freestyle is getting, but I'd hope for something higher.   But that assumes that vehicle weight is the prime factor with mpg, but it isn't. Look at the tiny Chevy Aevo, which gets really poor MPG, so I think poor engine/transmission design will create poor MPG regardless of vehicle size. Mazda's in general have poorer MPG versus their rivals. Look at the Mazda3 mpg versus a Civic or Corolla. But then Mazda tunes their engine/tranny for performance vs MPG. And the Rondo poor MPG may just be because of a old engine/transmission design.
#1148 of 1355 Karakuri Seating by zbx Mar 29, 2007 (12:35 pm)
No matter how cramped it might be, is the reason why Mazda doesn't offer (even as an option) as a 7th seat a Karakuri in between the middle row seats is becuz it doesn't meet safety requirements in North America? And since it's offered in UK, then this means that safety standards are laxer in the UK?
#1149 of 1355 Chat Night by pf_flyer HOST Apr 03, 2007 (12:47 pm)
It's Tuesday, so that means Mazda chat night. If you haven't joined us before, stop in tonight for a little fun with the group!   The Mazda Club Chat is on tonight. The chat room opens at 8:45PM ET Hope to see YOU there! Check out the schedule
#1150 of 1355 Re: thoughts on 5 [twain] by microrepair Apr 03, 2007 (8:25 pm)
Replying to: twain (Mar 25, 2007 8:38 am) "The lighter vehicle should get at least 5mpg better."   OK, here's a real world example of upside down numbers.. I have a 2003 Toyota Matrix XR w/auto and on the highway it does no better than 26-27 mpg.. I also have a 2001 Mercedes E320 that on the highway delivers 28-29 mpg.   The MB is 220 HP and 4000+ pounds vs. the Matrix at 130 HP and less than 3000 pounds..   So much for the 5 mpg MORE !!!   Go figure...!   I am convinced that Toyota fudges their numbers a LOT... I even took it back to the dealer complaining of the poor economy and they returned it after testing stating it was fine and giving 31 mpg...!! Maybe going downhill with the engine off..!! I have a friend with a Prius that gets around 40 mpg highway where they advertise 50 mpg !!!   Keep in mind that the car companies do the testing, not the EPA. The testing procedure is defined by the EPA but they let the companies do the testing..   Who do YOU trust ??
#1151 of 1355 Lower Speed Zoom-Zoom = Higher Speed at Higher Revs? by idavidson Apr 08, 2007 (5:00 pm)
Hi,   I love my Mazda5 for how quick it is off the mark. I especially appreciate this after driving a Chrysler PT cruiser and a Hyundai mid-size (can't forget the name).   Both these cars really struggle when taking of at a traffic light, but my Mazda5 zips off.   HOWEVER, both these other cars cruise at 70mph at about 2400 RPM but my auto Mazda5 does 70mph at 3000 RPM.   Are the two connected? I think the Mazda5 gets not great fuel economy perhaps because the engine works harder to get to 70mph
#1152 of 1355 weight & mpg by bobw3 Apr 12, 2007 (3:19 pm)
Weight doesn't necessarily have much to do with MPG. Once a vehicle is moving, it doesn't take much hp to keep it moving. The bigger engine in larger cars is to give it more initial speed and power. Aerodynamics are the biggest factor for highway MPG. That's why a small boxy car won't get much better MPG than a larger, more aerodynamic sedan.     Plus larger engines run at much lower RPMs on the highway, which equals less gas usage. Think about it. If you have a V-8 with twice the engine size of a 4cyl but the 4cyl is going 3200rpm vs the V-8 going 1600 rpm to keep the speed at 60mph for example, which would get the better mpg?
#1153 of 1355 Fuel consumption by microrepair Apr 13, 2007 (4:21 pm)
is strongly related to the LOAD on an engine. An engine running at high RPM may be "loafing" in that it is under almost no load and therefore is sipping fuel where an engine that is running at 1500 rpm trying to get up a hill pulling a trailer is guzzling the fuel at a prodigious rate.   A v-8 does not necessarily run at half the rpm of a 4-cyl engine for a given speed. That is determined by the overall drive train ratio for that particular car. Both the V8 and the 4 cylinder may be loafing at 70 mph if they are lightly loaded, such as no passengers, no luggage, etc.. Other factors come into play at the hi-way speeds; tire pressure, wind resistance, etc..   Food for thought............ Replies to this message: bobw3 (Apr 14, 2007 12:05 pm)
#1154 of 1355 Re: Fuel consumption [microrepair] by bobw3 Apr 14, 2007 (12:05 pm)
Replying to: microrepair (Apr 13, 2007 4:21 pm) Exactly...my point was that it has to do with a lot more than vehicle weight. My V8 vs 4cyl engine comparision was just a hypothetical example.
#1155 of 1355 Re: For all previous MPV owners [bottgers] by twain Apr 17, 2007 (7:56 am)
Replying to: bottgers (Mar 17, 2007 5:38 am) My main concern with the 5 is its small powerplant and whether or not its underpowered. ------------------------------------   IMO, every vehicle should offer an economy model and a performance model. For the Mazda5, that could mean the option of a turbo or a small V6. 200hp in a Mazda5 turbo would be very interesting. I believe Mazda should offer that option because many people like you are concerned that the 2.3 4cyl isn't enough for a vehicle weighing 3400 pounds and might be carrying 6 people.

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