I had primarily aimed at getting the '14 GT 6 but for the price the hatch has a lot of options and the cargo space is desirable. The 6 is known to have some A-pillar/sideview mirror noise. I've tested it and it seems fine to me. The tires of course add the brunt of it I'm sure. How does the 3 fare on a highway commute? Apparently the 6 and 3 get similar mpg as well based on the 3 maybe not receiving the 4-2-1 header. Thanks!
Thinking of the '14 sGT hatch and need feedback of highway commutes . . . .
- Thread starter Djbradle
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npaladin2000
Member
The 3 also has the 4-2-1 header.
I do 100 miles a day round-trip and it's a great highway machine if I can just stay off of the fun pedal.
I do 100 miles a day round-trip and it's a great highway machine if I can just stay off of the fun pedal.
I haven't noticed any significant amount of wind noise on my 170-mile round trip commute, but I usually have my cruise control set to 67mph. I have had the car up into the 80s, though. Maybe I just haven't noticed it. The car isn't quite as quiet as my 2012 Focus was, but I still wouldn't even remotely call it a noise car inside.
Poco Askew
Member
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- 2014 Mazda 3 s Grand Touring Hatchback, Jet Black Mica
I don't find the wind noise bad. Tire noise is worse than what I'm used to but varies a lot with the road surface. All in all, very driveable at 72 mph for long hauls. I just did 300 miles.
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- 2022 CX-5 Turbo
Wind noise is not bad. Road noise from tires are more prominent, but acceptable (mainly come thru the floor).
I have sGT (2.5L). If I hold the speed at 65mph, the trip computer shows 42-44mpg. Very impressive.
For the same commute, my CX9 returns 15.5mpg, while Mazda3 sGT returns 35-37mpg (mixed driving).
More than 2X better - and more fun.
I have sGT (2.5L). If I hold the speed at 65mph, the trip computer shows 42-44mpg. Very impressive.
For the same commute, my CX9 returns 15.5mpg, while Mazda3 sGT returns 35-37mpg (mixed driving).
More than 2X better - and more fun.
The 3 also has the 4-2-1 header.
I do 100 miles a day round-trip and it's a great highway machine if I can just stay off of the fun pedal.
I must have read that concerning the skyactiv-d maybe? I know I had come across some things that an engineer from Mazda was discussing regarding the hatch version not employing it but it may have been for the diesel or the 2.0. Is this correct?
Nonetheless the mpg's you guys have relayed to me plus the lack of problems with noise (nothing could be worse than my bmw with run-flats) may sway me towards the gt hatch instead of the touring 6.
Tell me about it . . . My wife's CX9 does an avg of 18mpg. I sat in and poked aroung in a black/black gt hatch today and was quite impressed by the comfort of the side bolsters and cargo volume. Just have to test drive that one tomorrow. The blue reflex 6 did have 3 pedals and that was drawing me a bit more though.
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- 2022 CX-5 Turbo
The 2013 Mazda3 Skyactiv-2.0 engine has the 4-1 header. Hence, it can only achieve 12:1 compression.
The reason was that the 4-2-1 headers (bulky) cannot fit into the older body structure.
With 2014's newly designed body structure, the 4-2-1 header was designed in. Therefore, 13:1 compression is achieved.
That improves the low-end torque (not peak torque).
If you search the youtube, you can find a set of videos taken at Mazda3 US test-drive for the media.
Lots of info in them.
As for MPG, the hatch has worse Cd (drag coefficient) than the sedan. (something like 0.27 vs 0.255).
Shorter body is bad for airflow. Cd impacts highway mpg mostly.
The reason was that the 4-2-1 headers (bulky) cannot fit into the older body structure.
With 2014's newly designed body structure, the 4-2-1 header was designed in. Therefore, 13:1 compression is achieved.
That improves the low-end torque (not peak torque).
If you search the youtube, you can find a set of videos taken at Mazda3 US test-drive for the media.
Lots of info in them.
As for MPG, the hatch has worse Cd (drag coefficient) than the sedan. (something like 0.27 vs 0.255).
Shorter body is bad for airflow. Cd impacts highway mpg mostly.
Right on that, and the faster you go, the more effect Cd has.
Poco Askew
Member
- :
- 2014 Mazda 3 s Grand Touring Hatchback, Jet Black Mica
One of the mods I'm considering is pulling the plastic fender well liners and backing them with a generic Dynamat-type material. The liners are very thin and hollow sounding. I'm pretty sure the majority of any road noise is coming from that area. Feels like there is plenty of room to add sound dampening material. It will likely add 20 pounds to the car but if it kills some of the tire noise it would be worth it to me.
Poco Askew
Member
- :
- 2014 Mazda 3 s Grand Touring Hatchback, Jet Black Mica
At 72 MPH on a 290 mile trip over 4 mountain passes with climbs to about 3000 feet, I got 37 mpg.
npaladin2000
Member
Heh, *bleep* hybrids.
