Is Mazda's Fuel Consumption High?

[OliveMarie]

Mazda's fuel consumption is within normal range and not considered high. However, the actual fuel consumption of a vehicle depends on road conditions, constant speed, tire pressure, load, oil viscosity, and individual driving habits. Below is relevant information: Models: Mazda vehicles produced after 2012, such as the CX-5, Axela, and Atenza, are equipped with high-compression ratio Skyactiv engines and full-speed range locking transmissions, with the main feature being low fuel consumption. For example, the CX-5, an SUV weighing 1.6 tons, has a nominal fuel consumption of only 6.6 liters, and actual driving consumption is around 7-8 liters, which is very economical. Engine: Before the Skyactiv technology, most Mazda vehicles used MZR series engines, which are high-revving and also fuel-efficient, with excellent reliability. Even after driving over 100,000 kilometers, apart from regular maintenance, they rarely encounter any issues.

[VanEmma]

I've been driving a Mazda3 for almost three years now, and honestly, the fuel consumption isn't high at all. With a 2.0L displacement, city commuting averages just over 8L/100km, and it can go down to 5.9L/100km on the highway. The Skyactiv technology is pretty impressive—achieving a 13:1 compression ratio while still running on 92-octane gasoline. Last week, I specifically recorded it: during morning rush hour with half an hour of traffic congestion, it was 9.1L/100km, but on a weekend trip to the suburbs, it dropped straight to 6.8L/100km. Sure, it’s more fuel-consuming compared to hybrids, but among traditional fuel cars, it’s definitely economical. My colleague’s Civic 1.5T actually measured 0.5L/100km higher than mine, mainly because Mazda’s transmission tuning is smarter—it actively recovers energy during deceleration to charge the battery.

[DelPatrick]

A ride-hailing driver who has driven six compact cars mentioned: Mazda's fuel consumption depends on driving technique. The Skyactiv engine has a characteristic – it's most fuel-efficient at a steady 80km/h, achieving 5.7L/100km. But if you enjoy flooring the throttle to hear the zoom-zoom sound, instantaneous fuel consumption can spike to 15L/100km. Last time, picking up a passenger rushing for a flight, I drove a 2.5L Atenza in Sport mode with the gear in S the whole way, and the display showed 11.2L/100km. For city driving, it's recommended to use i-stop; the engine automatically shuts off at red lights, saving me 8% on fuel. During maintenance, the mechanic said less carbon buildup could further reduce fuel consumption.

[VanPiper]

Veterans in the Mazda tuning circle all know that stock cars have fuel-friendly consumption. My MX-5 originally had a fuel consumption of only 7.1L, but after installing a high-flow intake and straight-through exhaust, it rose to 9.3L. The key lies in ECU tuning: the stock setup shifts gears at 2000 rpm for fuel efficiency; maintaining higher revs after ECU flashing naturally consumes more fuel. A fellow group member's Mazda3 with a roof box saw a 12% increase in fuel consumption due to wind resistance. If you're into modifications, don't fuss too much about fuel consumption—Mazda's factory tuning is already well-balanced.

[LeBrianna]

Advice from a 20-year veteran auto repair master: Three key points to save fuel with Mazda. First, replace the OEM air filter on schedule. Last time, a car using an aftermarket filter caused restricted airflow, burning 1.5L more fuel. Second, maintain tire pressure above 2.4Bar. I've seen a CX-5 with insufficient tire pressure consuming 12L/100km. Third, clean the fuel injectors every 50,000km. The Skyactiv-G direct injection engine is prone to carbon buildup. The most extreme case was an Atenza owner who didn't change spark plugs for three years, resulting in 20% higher fuel consumption than new. Actually, with proper maintenance, Mazda's fuel efficiency outperforms both American and German brands.