Mazda 2.3L compared to 2.5L engine

[Martyd]

I have a 2010 Mazda 5 Sport auto, 2.3L, 153 HP @ 6500 rpm, torque 148 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm engine. A new 2014 5 has 157 HP @ 6000rpm, torque 163 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm. My question is will I likely see a difference in driving between these two cars. Most of what I'm looking for is improved on ramp performance, as well as passing strength. It appears the rest of the feature changes are about the same and don't mean a lot to me, but I would like a little more kick! Has anyone driven both? Opinions?

 

[sac02]

Hard to say (I've never driven a 2.3L), do you not have a local dealer where you can take a test drive? We will only be able to tell you so much, it is your butt-dyno that will have to make the judgement call.

 

[tuanies]

Yea I haven't driven the 2.3-liter either but the 2.5L + 6MT has plenty of low end grunt for typical city traffic. I have no complaints on the highway either.

 

[Secondtyme]

Auto trans vs auto trans you might notice a slight improvement in power, and I do mean slight. Mostly you would notice less frequent downshifting to maintain speed. The combo of more torque delivered at lower peak rpm is what gives the 2.5 the "feel" of greater muscle. I don't know offhand what ratio changes happened when the four speed gave way to the five speed, but if 1st is as steep in the 5 spd the "more power" feeling would be more noticeable. This is all anecdotal as I have only ever driven the 2.3, as a stick and an auto...

 

[Davicho]

I've owned both. In a nutshell, yes you will feel the difference albeit not huge but a definite improvement from the 2.3L to the 2.5L. The real number you should consider is the jump of 15 lbs of torque at 500 rpm lower in the power band. Torque is what gets you going and moving. Horsepower lives in the higher end of the rpm band and neither the 2.3L or the 2.5L is a smooth high revving engine such as the likes of a Honda B or K series engines.

 

[MarkVII88]

The M5 with 2.5 are geared taller, with numerically lower final drive. This is due to the fact that the 2.5 makes 15 lb/ft more torque at 4000 rpm than the 2.3. We own a 2008 and a 2012 M5 and I can tell you that there's no difference in acceleration.