guesses at 2008 fuel efficiency?

[barryWest]

So from what I've read on this forum and elsewhere, it appears the 2008 mazda 5 will have a 5 speed auto transmission.
I know that the specs are not out yet, but do you think the fuel efficiency will be much better on the automatic 08 compared to the 07 because of the extra gear?

We are definitely getting an 08 and are just waiting for them to come out. The dealer I talked to here in Canada says we should be able to put in our order sometime this month with delivery possible in mid november to early december.

 

[starlightmica]

The 2008 Mazda3 is US EPA rated city 22mpg/highway 29mpg for both 5MT and 5AT. I don't know how fuel economy is rated/calculated north of the border, sorry.

Given the couple hundred pound weight difference, I'll guess that the 2008 Mazda5 will get knocked down 1-2mpg on each number.

 

[antlind]

Sounds about right...I don't think you can expect anything in the 30mpg range for the Mazda5, even with the 5-spd AT. I have consistently managed 10L/100km which is about 24mpg....This is primarily for around the town driving. Hwy mileage hasn't been any better, given that I usually drive on the hwy with 6 passengers.
Anthony

 

[doctorz]

30-31 mpg is no problem at cruise on the highway with the 5MT at 65-70 mph. I wouldn't hazard much of a guess with the 5AT, but I wouldn't be surprised if it's achievable under certain conditions. Not much more, though.

 

[coolmazda5]

Based on the 2007 Mazda5 values from the Mazda US Web Site, I would say add 1-2 miles (max) for the 5AT. Mazda has also mentioned some fuel economy work on their 1.8L and 2.0L gas engines (fine-tuning?), but have been mum on the 2.3L brother

2007 Mazda US Web Site:
EPA Mileage, City/Highway (mpg) - A/T 21/26

 

[starlightmica]

If you go by the stricter 2008 method, the EPA numbers are:
5MT 19/25 http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/2008car1tablef.jsp?id=23329
4AT 19/24 http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/2008car1tablef.jsp?id=23330

19/24 seems pessimistic to me.

 

[HotRodSaint]

19/24 seems pessimistic to me.

I've gotten as low as 18 around town with my MT. But I wasn't doing fuel economy runs! (drive2)

 

[starlightmica]

From this little quip on wsj.com, EPA 22/28. Click through and on the copper red '08 for a LHD interior picture and the short writeup.

http://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/info-carCompare0710.html

Edit: or click the image

 

[doctorz]

"The Mazda5 is one of the top 10 selling minivans in the US."

 

[07MZ5SA]

"The Mazda5 is one of the top 10 selling minivans in the US."

Any breadbox with 3-row seating are called minivan. LOL.

 

[starlightmica]

For comparison, 2008 Mazda6 EPA ratings:
2.3 5AT 21/28
2.3 5MT 21/29

 

[doctorz]

It wasn't the minivan label I found so fascinating...it was "top 10 selling", particularly given the other threads on this forum about how sales are sinking.

 

[eilros25]

It wasn't the minivan label I found so fascinating...it was "top 10 selling", particularly given the other threads on this forum about how sales are sinking.

Are there even 10 minivan models being sold in the US?

 

[07MZ5SA]

For comparison, 2008 Mazda6 EPA ratings:
2.3 5AT 21/28
2.3 5MT 21/29

5M must have taller 5th.

 

[coolmazda5]

Are there even 10 minivan models being sold in the US?

Good point (boom08)

Let's see, "sliding door" featured vehicles (so no hard feelings on naming conventions, (chair)):

1. Chrysler T&C
2. Dodge Caravan
3. Hyundai Yara-Yara
4. KIA Sodoma
5. Nissan Quest
6. Honda Odyssey
7. Chevy Uplander
8. Toyota Sienna
9. Mazda5 (wait until I tell my wife about her Soccer Mom Car being on this list, LOL)
10. ?

 

[mountjonas]

10) saturn ulander2, pontiac probablyhasonetoo

 

[doctorz]

According to the Edmunds site, you can add the Buick Terraza, Ford Freestyle, and Mercury Monterey to that list. The Saturn is called the Relay. Pontiac dropped their Montana a while back. So that's at least 13 models, excluding the full-sizers, and lumping the short wheelbase Caravan with the Grand Caravan. Of course, a bunch of these models go away next year. Have any of you even seen a Buick Terraza?

 

[coolmazda5]

So, corrected list...

1. Chrysler T&C
2. Dodge Caravan
3. Hyundai Yara-Yara
4. KIA Sodoma
5. Nissan Quest
6. Honda Odyssey
7. Chevy Uplander
8. Toyota Sienna
9. Mazda5 (wait until I tell my wife about her Soccer Mom Car being on this list, LOL)
10. Buick Terraza
11. Mercury Monterey

If the Ford Freestyle and the Relay are part of the Minivan category, then the Mazda5 my wife drives is in the same category as the MazdaSpeed3, the Pontiac G6 and the Ford E-150 (rofl2)

 

[mountjonas]

Of course, a bunch of these models go away next year. Have any of you even seen a Buick Terraza?

yeah, they look very anonymous. i'm sure you see a few on a daily basis, but they're ultra bland.