'15 Sport long distance driving impressions.

[torquelover]

Just drove our '15 Sport Auto 1800 miles. 4 passengers, full trunk of luggage, 80F with A/C on over varied terrain. Some observations in no particular order:

Cruising 75+ MPH we averaged an indicated 36.1 mpg including stops for fuel, food, hotel, etc. Pretty shocked by this. Cruising range is good. A new GMC Acadia in our group had to refuel twice as often. A new Chevy Impala had the same range with a larger tank.

Weight dramatically changes the feel of this car. The rear suspension was constantly banging off the bump stops over every expansion joint or ridge across the highway. Rear passengers did not like this too much. Steering tended to wander with the extra weight in the rear as well.

Lots of wind noise around window door frames (wondering if the '16 is quieter?)

Transmission likes to lug the motor as much as possible climbing hills/mountains.

Front seats fairly supportive and comfortable.

Trunk is larger/deeper than expected.

USB outlet can't keep smartphones, gps, tablets charged if in use. Plugged in a 2.1A cheapie into the lighter socket instead.

Nice to have a choice of switched or unswitched outlets up front.

Cruise control is pretty accurate. You can manually select a gear and not cancel it, too.

Should have gone with a higher trim level to gain rear seat A/C vents. Dash vents not sufficient maintaining a comfortable cabin temp in the rear.

Overall a pretty decent car so far.

 

[MikeM.]

Just drove our '15 Sport Auto 1800 miles. 4 passengers, full trunk of luggage, 80F with A/C on over varied terrain. Some observations in no particular order:

Cruising 75+ MPH we averaged an indicated 36.1 mpg including stops for fuel, food, hotel, etc. Pretty shocked by this. Cruising range is good. A new GMC Acadia in our group had to refuel twice as often. A new Chevy Impala had the same range with a larger tank.

That's pretty good. I have noticed most cars get their best HWY MPG with some cargo/passenger weight to settle the suspension which generally increases aerodynamic efficiency. Of course in city traffic extra weight has the opposite effect.

Weight dramatically changes the feel of this car. The rear suspension was constantly banging off the bump stops over every expansion joint or ridge across the highway. Rear passengers did not like this too much. Steering tended to wander with the extra weight in the rear as well.

This surprises me. Can you estimate the cargo and passenger weight? Were these big adults or small children? Was the luggage just normal suitcases/duffle bags or was there heavier stuff in the trunk?

Thanks, I'm really intrigued with the Mazda 6 for longer trips. I just wish they offered it with the 2.0L engine! The 6 has the same weight as my CX-5, much better aerodynamics and, with the FWD, would be over 40 mpg HWY if it were available with the 2.0L engine and the cruising speed was held to 70 mph.

 

[sbronemann]

I believe you could get over 40 MPG if you kept it at around 70 mph. I made a trip cruising 75-80 down to Nashville, TN from Iowa with the A/C on and tamps in the low 90's and managed 38.1 MPG. So I belive it is very possible with lower temps and no A/C on cruising at around 65-70 mph.

 

[torquelover]

This surprises me. Can you estimate the cargo and passenger weight? Were these big adults or small children? Was the luggage just normal suitcases/duffle bags or was there heavier stuff in the trunk?

Thanks, I'm really intrigued with the Mazda 6 for longer trips. I just wish they offered it with the 2.0L engine! The 6 has the same weight as my CX-5, much better aerodynamics and, with the FWD, would be over 40 mpg HWY if it were available with the 2.0L engine and the cruising speed was held to 70 mph.

It was two adults, 360 lbs up front (I am kinda stocky) and two tweens in back, 200 lbs. Trunk was filled to capacity, every nook and cranny, even around/in the spare tire:

4 suitcases, 2 large 2 small
3 backpacks
Medium cooler
4 fold-up camp chairs
Queen size regular bed height inflatable air mattress
Small tool case
Power drill, charger, and case with drill bits
Pillows and blankets
Baseball bat
Machete
4D Maglite



No idea on weight here, but I'm thinking at least 300 lbs. The car was really loaded down, and mostly in the rear.

That was the first, and last, trip for the car. Our new trip car is a Honda Odyssey EXL-RES. Weighing in at over 2 tons unloaded I am predicting it to get half the MPG's on the highway. We have two 3k mile trips to take this year with it so we'll see how it goes. I'm not a fan of the thing, but the wife drives it 99.9% of the time so I don't mind too much.

As a side note, my company uses new Fusions locally, and has a variety of Impalas, Tauri and Fusions at several jet centers throughout the country. That being said I'm always glad to get back in the MZ6 (and even the MZ5) when I get back in the evening after a day of driving around one of the bland-mobiles.

 

[thzpcs]

Nice review. Its unfortunate that you're not going any further in it.

 

[torquelover]

Nice review. Its unfortunate that you're not going any further in it.

Maybe I will someday, it just won't be with anyone else in the car.

 

[nubbers]

That was the first, and last, trip for the car. Our new trip car is a Honda Odyssey EXL-RES. Weighing in at over 2 tons unloaded I am predicting it to get half the MPG's on the highway. We have two 3k mile trips to take this year with it so we'll see how it goes. I'm not a fan of the thing, but the wife drives it 99.9% of the time so I don't mind too much.

The compliment to my 2016 CX-5 GT is a a 2015 Odyssey EXL and I have averaged b/t 26 - 28 MPG on my road trips cruising at 70 - 75 MPH. I think you will be pleasantly surprised with the performance on your 3,000 mile adventures - city driving...not so much. I will also say that the Odyssey wins for seat comfort as well.