mazda

Mazda Diesels

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While the mighty little Mazda3 has become quite popular here in the States, there’s forbidden fruit on the other side of the pond. Once again, we miss out on the most fuel-efficient models. It’s no secret that Mazda fits a number of thrifty diesel engines throughout its range in Europe, but American Mazda enthusiasts can only look longingly across the ocean in the hopes that one day those torque-filled penny pinching diesel power plants will find their way stateside.

The Mazda3 made a great impression this past summer, when we took it out on an extended highway run, round tripping to Washington DC. While our Mazda3 MPG review reveals highway fuel economy that far exceeds the official estimates, it can’t hold a candle to the remarkable numbers turned in by the Mazda3 diesel abroad.

Ready to get your blood boiling? We’ve done a bit of research to dig up England’s official estimates for the diesel-powered Mazda3, along with its stable mates …

Mazda3 hatch

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Hybrid Gas Mileage Ratings

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While today’s hybrid gas mileage ratings may seem impressive when compared to the majority of conventional vehicles on the market, there’s still a long way to go. This unfulfilled dream is clearly evident when studying the historical chart of hybrid gas mileage. The earliest models of the Honda Insight set the bar remarkably high (regardless of the change in the EPA’s testing procedures implemented in 2007); so high that they remain to be equaled by a production vehicle today.

Viewing the statistics, it’s easy to understand how the Insight hybrid achieved those remarkable gas mileage results. Weighing in at under a ton, Honda’s little spaceship had a big head start, with a diminutive 1.0 liter three cylinder engine providing just enough oomph and efficiency to land the micro hybrid’s gas mileage in the stratosphere.

With the Insight put out to pasture after the 2006 model year, the Toyota Prius snatched the hybrid gas mileage crown, edging out the Honda Civic Hybrid.

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2008 Mazda3 MPG Review

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Mazda3 MPG-o-Matic Mazda3 Review Summary: The Mazda3 is a fun to drive sport compact. We easily blew past the official gas mileage estimates in our extended test drive.

The Mazda3 is available as both a four door sedan and a five door hatch. It competes with the Honda Civic, Ford Focus, Toyota Corolla, Nissan Sentra, and Chevy Cobalt, among many others in the red hot small car market.

The Mazda3 can be purchased with a 2.0 liter or 2.3 liter inline four cylinder engine, depending on the model. Our copper red mica four-door touring model was fitted with the 2.3 liter engine, which produces 156 horsepower and 150 foot pounds of torque.

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Mazda3 Gas Mileage

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The compact Mazda3 was introduced to America in the 2006 model year, after being available abroad since 2004. The Mazda3’s good gas mileage and sporting character have won it fans the world over. While highway gas mileage rankings in the low thirties for the base model have ensured success with the commuter crowd, it’s the style, handling, and lively nature that play to those looking for a bit of “zoom-zoom” in their day-to-day lives.

The Mazda3 4-door “i” Model is equipped with a 2.0 liter DOHC four cylinder engine, producing 148 horsepower (HP), while the “s” Model is fitted with the larger and slightly more powerful 2.3 liter four cylinder engine, producing 156 horsepower and 150 foot pounds of torque. The i Model delivers 24 city / 32 highway miles per gallon (MPG), while the s Model provides 22 city / 29 highway MPG.

The Mazda3 5-door “s” Model is fitted with the same 2.3 liter engine as the 4-door s Model. (Mileage estimates are identical, as well.) The i Models are equipped with either a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed electronically controlled automatic. The s Models are available with either the 5-speed manual or a 5-speed electronically controlled automatic.

The top-of-the-line MazdaSpeed3 5-door is unquestioningly intended for the enthusiast. The little hot rod wagon’s turbocharged Direct Injection Spark Ignition version of the 2.3 liter four cranks out a whopping 263 HP and 280 foot pounds of torque. The MazdaSpeed3 is exclusively equipped with a six speed manual transmission; an automatic is not available. Mileage estimates are 18 city / 26 highway, on premium fuel.

European Mazda3’s can also be fitted with 1.6 or 2.0 liter diesel engines, resulting in a remarkable increase in fuel efficiency over the gas-engined models.

Mazda3 Review:

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Mazda Tribute Gas Mileage

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The Mazda Tribute debuted in the 2001 model year, along with its corporate cousin, the Ford Escape. The Tribute delivers solid gas mileage ratings for a mid-sized SUV, with excellent ratings coming from the Tribute Hybrid variant. For 2008, the Tribute Hybrid will be released only in Southern California, with a limited run of just 350 vehicles. If you’re in SoCal and looking for an exclusive hybrid sans the hype, the Tribute Hybrid just might be the ticket.

The standard 2008 Mazda Tribute can be fitted with either a 2.3 liter DOHC four-cylinder engine that delivers 153 HP and 152 foot pounds of torque or a 3.0 liter DOHC V-6 that produces 200 HP and 193 foot pounds of torque. While a four-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission is standard for either the four or the six cylinder Tributes, the four-banger can also be fitted with a five-speed manual transmission.

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