Mazda Archives

The all-new 2014 Mazda6 has earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The 2014 Mazda6 is the first Mazda vehicle to earn the new safety rating by receiving a rating of "Good" on frontal moderate overlap, side, roof, and head restraint tests, and "Acceptable" on the new small overlap test.

Who remembers the Mazda Navajo? It was Mazda's first attempt at an SUV in the US, but it was basically a rebadged two-door Ford Explorer Sport. Then there was the Mazda Tribute, which was basically an easily forgotten rebadged Ford Escape. Then the most recent attempt at a compact/ midsize crossover, the CX-7, which was plagued by bad gas mileage and a cramped interior. What does this all translate to? For over two decades Mazda hasn't been able to create a competitive compact crossover to go head to head with the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV-4.

Well everything changed last year that with the introduction of the 2013 Mazda CX-5, which quickly jumped to the front of the compact crossover class, but was only held back by one issue, its engine. With only 155 horsepower under the hood you can imagine how hard it would be to get going. Well for the 2014 model year Mazda has introduced a more powerful 2.5L engine for the CX-5's two two trim levels. Does the new engine answer our prayers for more power without a big sacrifice in fuel economy?

Subcompact cars like the Toyota Yaris, Nissan Versa and Hyundai Accent are often regarded as practical transportation that is more at home in a college parking lot than on a track. While it's definitely a far stretch to say that the Mazda2 is so sporty that it would be a great car for the track, it definitely brings more fun to the segment than expected. With a base price starting under $15k and only 100 horsepower under the hood, the Mazda2 looks like a bargain basement small car on paper, but as we quickly found out, it's actually one of the more enjoyable models in its segment.

Mazda has announced all the pricing details for the 2014 Mazda6, which is on sale now and starts at $20,880. The 2014 Mazda6 is powered by a 184-horsepower SKYACTIV-G 2.5-liter gasoline engine, which can be paired with a choice of transmissions: the SKYACTIV-MT six-speed manual transmission or SKYACTIV-Drive six-speed automatic. It gets up to 25 city/37 highway/29 combined MPG when equipped with the standard manual transmission and 26 city/38 highway/30 combined with the automatic transmission.

Mazda has released the pricing for the 2014 Mazda6 on its website, which lists the starting price for the new sedan at $20,880 for the Mazda6 Sport with manual transmission. Mazda hasn't made an official announcement about the pricing breakdown, but its website shows a top of the line Mazda6 Grand Touring model, which has a $29,495 price tag. Of course you also have to add the $795 destination fees to the final pricing.

Mazda has confirmed that the all-new 2014 Mazda6 will be offered with a diesel engine in the U.S. The 2014 Mazda6 sedan will go on sale in January 2013 and will be powered by Mazda's new Skyactiv 2.5L four-cylinder engine, with a diesel engine arriving in the second half of 2013.

Mazda and Toyota have announced a new partnership for Mazda to produce a new Toyota-branded sub-compact in Mexico that will be sold in the US. The sub-compact Toyota-brand vehicle will be based on the Mazda2, is to start production around the summer of 2015 at a pace of 50,000 units per year.

Mazda built the last RX-7 in 2002, but its now being reported that the RX-7 is going to return in 2017. Mazda's sports car chief Nobuhiro Yamamoto recently confirmed the plans at a launch event for the facelifted MX-5. When the next RX-7 is released in 2017, it will be lighter and less complex than the last one and will be powered by a new rotary engine.

Mazda has unveiled the refreshed 2013 CX-9 crossover, which will be officially unveiled at the 2012 Australian Motor Show, next month. The new CX-9 gets a new face that incorporates elements from Mazda's new Kodo design language.

For the 2012 model year Mazda has introduced its new SkyActiv technology to the Mazda3 lineup, which helps it achieve 40 mpg on the highway. Today every major automaker is trying to get the highest fuel economy numbers in their class. Lately it seems like almost every model in the compact class is obtaining 40 mpg ratings, but what are these vehicles actually like to drive and are the ratings actually obtainable in a real world situation? After driving 400 miles between New York City and Washington D.C. did we actually get even close to the 40 MPG rating and even more important did we have to drive like an old person to get there?

Mazda has unveiled the all-new Mazda6 wagon ahead of its debut at the this month at the 2012 Paris Motor Show. Following the debut of the Mazda6 sedan in Moscow, Mazda will unveil the new Mazda6 wagon and Mazda's new Skyactiv 2.2L clean diesel engine in Paris.

Mazda has unveiled the all-new 2014 Mazda6 midsize sedan at the Moscow Motor Show. The new Mazda6 is scheduled to start arriving in some markets this fall. At the show chief designer Akira Tamatani revealed that Mazda is currently deciding if a coupe version of the Mazda6 makes sense. Tamatani told Autocar, "There is no decision, but I would love to make one. The first job is to make the saloon and estate, but from this position a coupe is not so far away."

Yesterday Mazda officially took the wraps off the all-new 2014 Mazda6 midsize sedan in Moscow. Reports are starting to come in about the new Mazda2 subcompact and the Mazda3, which are both going to be redesigned for the 2014 model year.

Mazda has unveiled the all-new 2014 Mazda6 sedan at the Moscow Motor Show. The Mazda6 is the second new generation of Mazda models that adopts the full range of Mazda's new Skyactiv technology and KODO design language.

Mazda just kicked off production of the all-new 2014 Mazda6 in Japan. The first vehicle to come off the line was a Mazda6 wagon built to European specifications and powered by the SKYACTIV-G 2.0 gasoline engine.

In his speech, Takashi Yamanouchi commented "I am deeply moved that production of the third generation Mazda6, the flagship model of our new-generation vehicles, starts in such an important year for us. It is the 30 year anniversary of the start of operations here in the Nishinoura district of the Hofu Plant and the 10th anniversary of the start of production of the first-generation Mazda6, back in 2002. That first Mazda6 debuted as an embodiment of Mazda's brand message, Zoom-Zoom, and its success led to great improvement in our brand image. The new Mazda6 that starts rolling off the line today features both SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY and KODO - Soul of Motion design. Its development represents the very best of our engineering capability and our uncompromising attention to detail. Let's all work together to promote the new Mazda6, to make it a model that gains the support of customers all over the world and leads the Mazda brand to new level."

Mazda has officially unveiled the all-new 2014 Mazda6, which is going to debut at next month's Moscow International Automobile Salon. The next-generation Mazda6 is heavily influenced by the Mazda Takeri concept and wil be the second Mazda to incorporate Mazda's Skyactiv technology.

The Russian-spec 2014 Mazda6 that we will see next month, will be powered by a SKYACTIV-G 2.0-liter gasoline engine mated to a SKYACTIV-Drive six-speed automatic transmission. The Mazda6 also will feature "i-ELOOP," the world's first capacitor-based regenerative braking system. In real-world driving conditions, which involve frequent acceleration and braking, i-ELOOP, a name derived from "Intelligent Energy Loop," will improve fuel economy by up to 10 percent.

Mazda has been teasing us the past few weeks with little glimpses of the all-new 2014 Mazda6, but thanks to Mazda's Russian division, we now have our first look at its face. From this photo we can clearly see how close the 2014 Mazda6 is to the Takeri concept.

Expect to see the 2014 Mazda6 debut at the Paris Motor Show in September.

Mazda continues to tease the all-new 2014 Mazda6. Mazda has released the fourth teaser video that now shows off the Mazda6's profile.

Akira Tamatani describes the all-new Mazda6 as "Drawing on the untamed vitality of nature, we refined a design that is sensual and artistic. The KODO design expresses the powerful beauty of a living organism. With its low center of gravity the car seems to hug the ground as it sprints along. Just wait until you see it in the flesh!"

Mazda has released the third teaser video of the all-new 2014 Mazda6.

This time Mazda had this to say about the new Mazda6: "The car's form manages to convey both a dignified tension and suppleness at the same time, and Soul Red is brilliantly vivid with a deep luster. It's the way these two elements complement each other which produces the charm of the new Mazda6," says chief designer Akira Tamatani.

Following the first teaser video of the 2014 Mazda6 that was released earlier this week, Mazda has a second teaser video of the all-new midsize sedan. This time we get to see part of the front fender.

According to Mazda, "The prominent front fender and sculpted hood creases of the new Mazda6 look like they came right from the Takeri concept car and create a strong visual impression of the car's athletic prowess."

Mazda has released the first official teaser for the all-new 2014 Mazda6 midsize sedan. The next-generation Mazda6 was previewed with the Takeri concept car, but as Mazda points out in this video, "This is not the TAKERI concept car, it is the first glimpse of the all-new Mazda6 and the similarities are definitely intentional."

Akira Tamatani, Chief Designer of the new Mazda6 stated, "The deeply sculpted face with sharp eyes gazing forward, defined by the chrome 'signature wing', instantly conveys to onlookers that this must be Mazda's new flagship sedan."

Mazda is giving the 2013 Mazda MX-5 Miata a refresh for the new year. The updates give the 2013 MX-5 Miata a more aggressive face and an upgraded interior. The 2013 MX-5 Miata is going on sale today in Japan, but should arrive in the U.S. by the end of the year.

Mazda says that the face of the 2013 MX-5 Miata now has a sense of depth with a larger front grille opening. The front fascia also gets a newly designed front fog lamp bezel and a new front chin spoiler. The interior gets a new tan leather option. There aren't any large changes under the hood, but Mazda did revise the characteristics of the throttle and brake booster for improved control of the accelerator in the manual transmission models and the brakes in all models.

Mazda and Fiat, Alfa Romeo's parent company have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the development and manufacturing of a new roadster for the Mazda and Alfa Romeo brands based on Mazda's next-generation MX-5 rear-wheel-drive architecture.

Mazda and Fiat will develop two roadsters that will share the same basic platform, but their styling will be different. The Mazda and Alfa Romeo roadsters will each be powered by specific engines unique to each brand. Both roadsters will be built at Mazda's Hiroshima, Japan plant starting in 2015.

Consumer Reports has released the results of a recent head-to-head small SUV test where the Honda CR-V narrowly topped the all-new Mazda CX-5. On paper the CR-V and CX-5 are very similar, since both can hold up to five-passengers, have comparable dimensions, are available with front- or all-wheel drive, and are priced about the same.

"While their overall scores were close, these two small SUVs have very distinct characteristics that will probably appeal to different types of drivers" said David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports Auto Test Center in East Haddam, Connecticut.

Mazda's new 2013 CX-5 compact crossover has been recognized as a "Top Safety Pick" by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), which is the organization's highest possible crash safety rating of "Good" in all four tests conducted.

"The 2013 CX-5 is Mazda's first production vehicle to receive the full suite of SKYACTIV®[1] technologies, which focuses not only on fuel efficiency but also on safety and stability," said Jim O'Sullivan, president and CEO, Mazda North American Operations (MNAO). "Earning a 'Top Safety Pick' distinction from the IIHS further exemplifies Mazda's dedication for creating products that offer the best of everything that consumers want: fuel economy, performance, handling and, most importantly, safety."

The 2013 CX-5 is powered by a Skyactiv 2.0L engine with 155 horsepower and 150 lb-ft. The CX-5 Sport also has best-in-class fuel economy with an EPA rating of 26 city and 35 highway.

The entry level CX-5 Sport with a manual transmission starts at $20,695.

Mazda's newest crossover, the 2013 CX-5 is set to arrive in U.S. showrooms , but fans of the CX-7 crossover will be disappointed that Mazda has decided to kill the CX-7 after the 2012 model year.

The CX-7 is be replaced by the CX-5, since the CX-5 is roomier and more fuel efficient. Mazda claims that the CX-5 will get up to 35 mpg on the highway, while the CX-7 only manages up to 26 mpg. Sales of the CX-7 are also another reason why Mazda has decided to say goodbye to the CX-7. Mazda only moved just over 5k CX-7s in the first two months of this year, while Honda sold almost 44k CR-Vs.

The 2013 CX-5 has a starting price at $20,695 and is powered by a a Skyactiv 2.0L engine with 155 horsepower and 150 lb-ft.

Mazda is bringing its Takeri concept to the Geneva Motor Show next month, which is a preview of the next-generation Mazda6. The Takeri concept is the latest concept to adopt Mazda's 'KODO - Soul of Motion' design theme, which we first saw with the Shinari concept.

The Takeri concept is powered by Mazda's new SkyActiv-D diesel engine and its six-speed Skyactiv-Drive automatic transmission. The concept is also the first Mazda to be equipped with i-Eloop, which is short for "Intelligent Energy Loop". This is Mazda's first regenerative braking system that converts kinetic energy to electricity during deceleration and stores it in an electric double-layer capacitor. The power is used to run the vehicle's electric components , thereby reducing the load on the engine and increasing fuel economy by up to 10 percent.

Mazda has announced the pricing for the 2013 CX-5 compact crossover, which starts at $20,695 for the entry-level Sport model with a six-speed manual transmission.

The 2013 CX-5 is the first model in Mazda's lineup to fully feature Mazda's Skyactiv technology, which helps it get up to 35 mpg on the highway. The 2013 CX-5 is powered by a Skyactiv 2.0L engine with 155 horsepower and 150 lb-ft. A diesel-powered CX-5 is expected to show in the U.S. in early 2013.

The base CX-5 Sport comes standard with 17-inch alloy wheels, a four-speaker audio system, push-button start, power everything and a USB connection port. Accing a six-speed automatic bumps the starting price up to $22,095 and all-wheel-drive pushes the base price up to $23,345. Adding Bluetooth will cost an extra $400, but comes with Bluetooth, a 5.8-inch touch-screen monitor and HD radio.

The Touring model starts at $23,895 with front-wheel-drive and $25,145 when equipped with AWD. It adds the Bluetooth package, upgraded seat fabrics, a six-speaker audio system, a Blind Spot Monitoring system and the six-speed automatic transmission is standard. The Moonroof/ Bose package ($1,130) adds a moonroof and a 225-watt Bose audio system. The Technology package ($1,185) adds a TomTom based navigation ssytem, bi-zenon auto-leveling headlights, a pivoting Adaptive Front-lighting system and rain sensing wipers.

The Grand Touring model starts at $27,045 for the front-wheel-drive model and $28,295 for the all-wheel-drive version. It comes standard with 19-inch alloy wheels, heated outside mirrors, rain sensing wipers, leather seats, a Bose audio system and a moonroof. The same Technology package on the Touring model adds $1,325.

Next week Mazda is going to unveil a special edition version of the 2012 MX-5 Miata at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show.

The 2012 MX-5 Miata Special Edition features a black-only hard top, which is the first time a non-body-colored hard top is available in North America. It also gets two new exterior colors (Crystal White or Velocity Red), new 17-inch black gunmetal alloy wheels, black exterior accents, black heated leather seats and piano black interior finishes.

The special edition MX-5 Miata is based off the Grand Touring model is available with either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. Both Premium and Suspension packages will be standard on the MX-5 Miata Special Edition and include features such as Bluetooth, Sirius Satellite Radio, Bilstein shocks and a sport-tuned suspension.

Mazda is limited production to just 450 units.

Car and Driver recently spoke to Mazda spokesman Jeremy Barnes, who confirmed that a diesel-powered Mazda will be offered in the U.S. in early 2013. "It'll be here between 15 and 18 months behind the launch of the Skyactiv-G gasoline engine in the Mazda 3." The Mazda 3 with the Skyactive-G gasoline engine arrived in October, so you can expect to see a diesel in Mazda's U.S. lineup between January and April of 2013.

Which model will get the diesel engine? Barnes did not confirm which Mazda would get the diesel, but according to sources it will be the new CX-5. In Europe and Japan the CX-5 is already offered with a Skyactiv 2.2L diesel. In Europe the diesel is offered with either 148-hp and 280 lb-ft. or 173-hp and 310 lb-ft. of torque.

Until then, Mazda recently announced that the 2013 CX-5 in the U.S. will be powered by a 155-hp 2.0L Skyactiv engine that gets up to 35 mpg on the highway.

Mazda has announced the fuel economy figures for the 2013 Mazda CX-5 compact crossover, which is headed to dealerships this spring.

The front-wheel-drive, six-speed manual equipped CX-5 models are rated at 26 city/35 highway/29 combined mpg. When its equipped with the six-speed automatic transmission those numbers drop slightly to 26 city/32 highway/29 combined. The all-wheel-drive CX-5 gets 25 city/31 highway/28 combined mpg.

All CX-5 models are powered by a Skyactiv 2.0L engine with 155 horsepower and 150 lb-ft. of torque.

Mazda says that pricing for the 2013 CX-5 will be announced closer to its launch date.

New reports are surfacing that Mazda is working on a new four-seat coupe version of the next Mazda6.

The next-generation Mazda6 is set to be released in January 2013, but according to What Car? the coupe version will not debut until about a year later in 2014. The coupe version is expected to be powered by the same SkyActiv engines as the four-door version.

It's not known if the Mazda6 coupe will be sold in the U.S. Mazda previewed the next-generation Mazda6 with the Takeri concept at this year's Tokyo Motor Show.

According to Autocar, the next Mazda MX-5 Miata will be powered by a turbocharged 1.3L SkyActiv engine, which will replace the current 167 horsepower 2.0L.

The new 1.3L engine will employ SkyActiv technologies like variable cam phasing with lower friction parts to boost performance and fuel economy. The 1.3L will also be mated to reduced-friction transmissions.

Nothing has been confirmed yet, but the 2014 MX-5 Miata is expected to be based on the new rear-wheel-drive S-platform. Mazda's engineers have been tasked with dropping the MX-5's weight significantly. One insider claims that Mazda has a goal of dropping the curb weight to 800 kg (1,760 lbs). The next MX-5 will be smaller and get Mazda's new Kodo design theme, which was first shown on the Shinari concept.

Mazda has unveiled the Mazda Takeri next-generation midsize sedan concept car, which is set to debut at the Tokyo Motor Show on December 3rd.

Last year Mazda unveiled the Shinari concept, which was our first look at Mazda's new design language, Kodo, which is Japanese for soul of motion. The new Takeri concept also uses the new design language and takes many design cues from the Shinari.

Under the hood the Takeri concept uses Mazda's new SkyActiv technology, including the new SkyActiv-D diesel engine. Other technology includes Mazda's idling stop system, i-stop, and a new regenerative braking system.

The Takeri concept is basically a preview of what can probably expect as the next Mazda6 sedan. What do you think?

Mazda has announced that the Mazda RX-8 will soon end its production run, but before the RX-8 says goodbye, Mazda has announced the Spirit R special edition model. Mazda is going to produce 1,000 units of the Spirit R Edition that will go on sale in Japan on November 24, 2011.

The Spirit R Edition based on the RX-8 Type RS (with six-speed manual transmission) and Type E (with six-speed automatic transmission). It is named after the final limited edition Mazda RX-7. All versions of the Spirit R Edition get head and taillights with black bezels, red brake calipers and Spirit R badging. The six-speed manual version gets bucket seats from Recaro and 19-inch bronze alloy wheels. The six-speed automatic equipped model gets black leather seats with red stitching, a sports suspension with larger brakes and 18-inch gun metallic alloy wheels.

There are three exterior colors for the RX-8 Spirit Edition: Aluminum Metallic, Sparkling Black Mica and Crystal White Pearl Mica.

Production of the RX-8 ends in June 2012.

Mazda has announced the pricing for the refreshed 2012 Mazda3, which starts at $15,200 for the Mazda3 i SV sedan. The Mazda3 i SV is powered by a 148 horsepower MZR 2.0L engine, but the bigger news is the introduction of the 2.0L SkyActiv engine that gets 40 mpg.

To get the new SkyActiv engine you have to step up to the Mazda3 i Touring models, which starts at $18,450 for the sedan. The SkyActiv 2.0L engine packs 155 horsepower and 148 lb-ft. of torque. The all-new engine offers five percent more horsepower than the standard MZR 2.0-liter engine as well as 10 percent more peak torque, 15 percent more low- to mid-range torque and up to 21 percent better fuel economy. The hatchback is also available with the SkyActiv engine and starts at $18,950.

Mazda is going to officially unveil its newest crossover, the CX-5 in Frankfurt next month.

Mazda has released the photos of the CX-5 that is debuting in Frankfurt, but we have yet to see the US-spec CX-5. Mazda's manager for the CX-5, Hideaki Tanaka recently gave some new info about the US-spec CX-5 at a press event.

The CX-5 will hit our shores in early 2012 with a starting price around $20,000. The CX-5 is more than five inches shorter than the CX-7 crossover and will compete with the Honda CR-V, VW Tiguan, Kia Sportage and Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. The CX-5 will be powered by a 2.0L gas engine, which puts out 165 horsepower in the Euro-spec CX-5. A 2.2L diesel will also be offered in Europe and will come to the U.S. in 2014.

The US-spec CX-5 will debut at the LA Auto Show in November.

Automotive News is reporting that Mazda has stopped production of the RX-8 sports car due to falling sales and higher emissions standards.

Production of the RX-8 reportedly ended in July and sales are expected to end, by the end of the year. Sales of the RX-8 last year were 49 percent lower than in 2009 and sales through July 2011 were down an additional 21 percent.

The RX-8 was powered by Mazda's 1.3L rotary engine, which put out 232 horsepower. The death of the RX-8 means that Mazda is again without a rotary powered model in its lineup. Mazda claims that the rotary engine will appear again in a future Mazda, while sources claim that engineers are currently working on a next-generation 1.6L code-named 16X.

Mazda has officially started production of the facelifted 2012 Mazda3 (Mazda Axela in Japan). The 2012 Mazda3 gets a revised front fascia that tones down the smiling grin that no one really likes. The rear end also gets updated with revised taillights.

The biggest and most important update lies under the hood of the 2012 Mazda3. Mazda has given the 2012 Mazda3 a version of its new SkyActiv-G engine, which in the Mazda3 is a 2.0L with 155 horsepower and 148 lb-ft. of torque. The best part about the new engine is that it gets up to 40 mpg, which is a nice improvement over the 33 mpg that the current 2.0L gets. The new SkyActiv engine can be mated to either a six-speed manual or six-speed SkyActiv automatic transmission.

The 2012 Mazda3 should reach U.S. showrooms by October.

Mazda has officially unveiled its newest crossover, the 2012 Mazda CX-5 ahead of its world debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

The CX-5 is the production version of the Minagi concept that was unveiled earlier this year in Geneva and it's also the first Mazda to get Mazda's newest design language, Kodo "soul of motion." The CX-5 will be powered by Mazda's new SkyActiv engines and transmissions, which includes both 2.0L gasoline and 2.2L diesel powered engines. Europe will likely get both types of engines, while the U.S. will most likely only get gasoline engines.

Sales are expected to kick off early next year. Stay tuned for more info next month.