Mazda -- Most Fuel Effieient Automaker

That's true but you are wasting your time because real world Fuelly stats have been pointed out to him numerous times but he still parrots the same nonsense over and over like it actually has some validity.

You're right. Since people on fuelly pay my bills, I should listen to them. Oh. Wait...
 
Of course you shouldn't listen to them about the fuel consumption of your CX-5. You know your vehicle.

Likewise, they know their vehicles, and you shouldn't doubt them any more than others should doubt you.

You and I get much worse than average mileage with our CX-5s. That doesn't mean everyone else is wrong - it means something is different. In my case, the problem is heavy traffic and frequent stop-and-go driving. I don't know what the problem is in your case, but it certainly isn't ALL CX-5s.
 
Of course you shouldn't listen to them about the fuel consumption of your CX-5. You know your vehicle.

Right on! And nobody even said his mpg should match the Fuelly averages. But he seems to think his poor MPG in his one CX-5 somehow disqualifies Mazda from deserving the most fuel efficient automaker award.
The award is based on Mazda's entire fleet which doesn't revolve around Unobtanium's results.
 
Right on! And nobody even said his mpg should match the Fuelly averages. But he seems to think his poor MPG in his one CX-5 somehow disqualifies Mazda from deserving the most fuel efficient automaker award.
The award is based on Mazda's entire fleet which doesn't revolve around Unobtanium's results.

I'm simply saying that their real-world mileage is not as good as that of any other auto maker who's vehicle I have driven, as compared to sticker.

Infiniti
Nissan
Chrysler
Chevrolet
Ford

all of them were capable of meeting sticker at a 75mph cruise on flat, level ground with out much traffic. But not my Mazda, and it's not even CLOSE.
 
I'm simply saying that their real-world mileage is not as good as that of any other auto maker who's vehicle I have driven, as compared to sticker.

Infiniti
Nissan
Chrysler
Chevrolet
Ford

all of them were capable of meeting sticker at a 75mph cruise on flat, level ground with out much traffic. But not my Mazda, and it's not even CLOSE.


Yes, thank-you for sharing your data points with us (28 times). But most of use look at aggregate results, not the outliers. It's common knowledge that at 75-80 mph, most people KNOW they're probably not going to get EPA estimated MPG's. That's why people discount EPA estimated MPG's. I thought everyone knew this. You can bring up your magical fleet of vehicles 88 times and it's not going to change the fact that it's atypical.
 
Yes, thank-you for sharing your data points with us (28 times). But most of use look at aggregate results, not the outliers. It's common knowledge that at 75-80 mph, most people KNOW they're probably not going to get EPA estimated MPG's. That's why people discount EPA estimated MPG's. I thought everyone knew this. You can bring up your magical fleet of vehicles 88 times and it's not going to change the fact that it's atypical.

Magical...right. A bunch of other owners out there also seemed to have a magical Corvette, 370Z, Jeep, etc. as well...but you think you know more about my vehicle than I do. Oh, well...with I had your powers of prescience. I would have won the lotto years ago.

If you took the time to educate yourself on the topic, you would make note of most other owners making the same claims I do, regarding the vehicles I've owned.
 
Just got back from a 2,000 mile trip in my 2.5L CX-5. Had one amazing 215 mile run coming into Denver from the east. There was zero wind, which is rare. Topped the tank, cleared the AVG MPG after I got up to highway speed, and got an amazing 28.5mpg @ 80mph average over 215 miles!

I think the high altitude has less drag which has a definite impact on mpg with CX-5. I started at about 2,000 ft and climbed to 5,000 feet. Typically on Texas low altitude flat land I would get 27mpg @ 80mph, as most do. Air resistance is a huge factor in mpg for CX-5 highly influence by wind and altitude.

My worst tank on this trip was going south from Salina, KS into a steady 25mph headwind at 80mph getting 23.5mpg.
On another trip I got amazing mileage with a constant 25mph tailwind with high gusts going 80mph getting 32mpg on that tank!

The mileage of CX-5 is different than any vehicle I've ever owned. Its tries to be extremely efficient for given conditions, so mileage can vary wildly depending on conditions. Wind resistance and speed are by far the biggest factors. Amazingly, hills and curves have little effect as I routinely get 32mpg driving in mountains averaging 50mph.
 
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Magical...right. A bunch of other owners out there also seemed to have a magical Corvette, 370Z, Jeep, etc. as well..

I've bought new; 2000 V8 Camaro, 2007 Honda Civic. Neither of them got advertised mileage regularly.

The Camaro was rated at 17/27mpg. New it got 14mpg city, and improved to 15mpg after 50K miles. It got 24mpg highway, except for one tank on trip to Grand Canyon it got 27mpg. To get that I did every trick possible. Biggest factor was filling tank at highway entrance and exit as just a few city miles would plummet mileage.

The Civic was rated 30/40mpg. Never saw 30mpg city as it averaged 25mpg. Never saw 40mpg highway as 38mpg was best it ever got.

Considering my 2.5L CX-5 averages 25mpg in the city, its amazing it matches the 1.6L Civic. You can easily get 32mpg rating of CX-5, if you drive in appropriate conditions such as a long coastal beach drive or mountain drive keeping speed down to 50mph, or 80mph highway trip with a good tailwind.
 
I've bought new; 2000 V8 Camaro, 2007 Honda Civic. Neither of them got advertised mileage regularly.

The Camaro was rated at 17/27mpg. New it got 14mpg city, and improved to 15mpg after 50K miles. It got 24mpg highway, except for one tank on trip to Grand Canyon it got 27mpg. To get that I did every trick possible. Biggest factor was filling tank at highway entrance and exit as just a few city miles would plummet mileage.

The Civic was rated 30/40mpg. Never saw 30mpg city as it averaged 25mpg. Never saw 40mpg highway as 38mpg was best it ever got.

Considering my 2.5L CX-5 averages 25mpg in the city, its amazing it matches the 1.6L Civic. You can easily get 32mpg rating of CX-5, if you drive in appropriate conditions such as a long coastal beach drive or mountain drive keeping speed down to 50mph, or 80mph highway trip with a good tailwind.

Interesting. On long trips in my 1995 Trans Am (Automatic), I averaged 25mpg. In my 2001, I average 26-27 (6-speed). Hand figured at the pump, since no computer calculation existed in those.

I will say this, though. Maybe you got a funky combo. I have a friend who bought a 1998 Z28, Automatic, and turned it into a race car (no, seriously, it ran 10's and was trailered only). When he tore the rear-end down, it had 3.42's in it. It was supposed to have a 3.08 or 3.27's, I believe. Not saying that's your situation, but it's possible. GM did a lot of funky stuff with cars up until the mid 2000's. Randomly putting better blocks, hotter cams, etc. in them.

The best I did doing 75-80ish in my CX5 was 28. The worst has been 22.X. Typical road-trip averages are 26-27mpg. I have NEVER equalled 30mpg...except that one time I was a douchebag and held everyone up by "hypermiling" it 5mph under, coasting up hills, and in general being a hazard on the freeway for the sake of science. I got 31mpg then, and made a lot of people slam on their brakes or swerve.
 
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There will always be outliers. Those who get well above epa, and those who get below. Either way, there has been plenty of data to support the cx5 is in fact one of the, if not, most fuel efficient cuvs. If you don't experience that, sucks for you. Probably should do some research about common things that could be affecting your gas mileage. Because probably something affecting it. I think it's a deserved title for Mazda especially since they are working hard at perfecting what's worked for years and years. Not trying to jump into turbos, cvts just cause its easier to inflate mpg numbers with those technologies.
 
There will always be outliers. Those who get well above epa, and those who get below. Either way, there has been plenty of data to support the cx5 is in fact one of the, if not, most fuel efficient cuvs. If you don't experience that, sucks for you. Probably should do some research about common things that could be affecting your gas mileage. Because probably something affecting it. I think it's a deserved title for Mazda especially since they are working hard at perfecting what's worked for years and years. Not trying to jump into turbos, cvts just cause its easier to inflate mpg numbers with those technologies.

Such as what? You do notice that all of my past vehicles, meticulously gone over by me, have met their EPA ratings even when driven the way I drive them...


-Tire pressure at spec
-Alignment per spec
-New air filter
-New diff fluid and transfer case fluid
-car was waxed (every bit helps...)

What else do you propose I do on a 2015 with only 40k miles on it? It's too early for spark plugs, etc.

That said, this is my first (and last?) 4-banger SUV. A CRV or RAV or Forester may do even WORSE. I don't know. I don't care. I think my CX-5 is a reliable, economical, and well-built vehicle that will serve as a great daily after I pay it off and have a more stable budget (working on building a house next year), and can comfortable afford a vehicle that I want to drive again.
 
There will always be outliers. Those who get well above epa, and those who get below. Either way, there has been plenty of data to support the cx5 is in fact one of the, if not, most fuel efficient cuvs. If you don't experience that, sucks for you. Probably should do some research about common things that could be affecting your gas mileage. Because probably something affecting it. I think it's a deserved title for Mazda especially since they are working hard at perfecting what's worked for years and years. Not trying to jump into turbos, cvts just cause its easier to inflate mpg numbers with those technologies.
No, Mazda didn't do a good job on quality, reliability and fuel efficiency until Ford left them. SkyActiv Technology helped Mazda for fuel efficiency part. Initial quality seems improved a lot too. Still don't know about long-term reliability but SkyActiv-D diesel seems having problems. Mazda had major failures on their unique rotary engines and it's not easy to recovery the imagine of bad quality and reliability from most consumers.

I do agree "not trying to jump into Turbos, CVTs just because it's easier to inflate MPG numbers with those technologies".
 
No, Mazda didn't do a good job on quality, reliability and fuel efficiency until Ford left them. SkyActiv Technology helped Mazda for fuel efficiency part. Initial quality seems improved a lot too. Still don't know about long-term reliability but SkyActiv-D diesel seems having problems. Mazda had major failures on their unique rotary engines and it's not easy to recovery the imagine of bad quality and reliability from most consumers.

I do agree "not trying to jump into Turbos, CVTs just because it's easier to inflate MPG numbers with those technologies".
Huge +1

That said, I have heard a LOT of good about current Mazda reliability, as well as the Miata all along. I used to think of Mazda as a junk company with weird products at low prices, but looking at their Skyactiv stuff, they really are standing on their own, I think. That said, I do not think the diesel can be used to represent the brand or even the platform as a whole. I think it's its own unique animal, much like you wouldn't use the durability of the Viper to say that "Chrysler makes great stuff!".
 
No, Mazda didn't do a good job on quality, reliability and fuel efficiency until Ford left them. SkyActiv Technology helped Mazda for fuel efficiency part. Initial quality seems improved a lot too. Still don't know about long-term reliability but SkyActiv-D diesel seems having problems. Mazda had major failures on their unique rotary engines and it's not easy to recovery the imagine of bad quality and reliability from most consumers.

I do agree "not trying to jump into Turbos, CVTs just because it's easier to inflate MPG numbers with those technologies".

Well yeah that's what I meant, with the introduction of the skyavtiv, which is what delivered great fuel efficiency. That's what Mazda began the turn around to deserve this fuel efficient award. Which is based on only their skyavtiv vehicles.
 
U - Do you have a roof rack, cross bars? Do you have mud flaps? Do you have overstock tires? All reduce mileage especially at high speeds.
 
U - Do you have a roof rack, cross bars? Do you have mud flaps? Do you have overstock tires? All reduce mileage especially at high speeds.

Nope. Race model. No roofrack. No mudflaps. No tow package. No aftermarket stupid stuff. Oem tire sizes. Not even a sunroof to break the line of the roof.
 
Permit me to add. As you can see many here are stating CX5 is living up to expectations in terms of EPA. It's obvious you have done your part in trying to bring up the mpg. Folks questioned your driving habits but apparently you had other cars where you drove like today and it met the published EPA.

The only thing maybe then is the car? Did you consider going to the dealer and have it evaluated for any issues? Like some ECU stuff missing or I don't know? You might scrape thru within the power rain warranty by carefully wording the issue to the dealer.
 
Permit me to add. As you can see many here are stating CX5 is living up to expectations in terms of EPA. It's obvious you have done your part in trying to bring up the mpg. Folks questioned your driving habits but apparently you had other cars where you drove like today and it met the published EPA.

The only thing maybe then is the car? Did you consider going to the dealer and have it evaluated for any issues? Like some ECU stuff missing or I don't know? You might scrape thru within the power rain warranty by carefully wording the issue to the dealer.
I honestly don't think anything is wrong with the vehicle. It runs smooth, no SES lights, and everything "checks out" when I look at it. I did a 0-60 test and it was right where it should be at around 7.8 seconds. Often, if a vehicle is down on power, it's not running efficiently at any other acceleration parameter, either, hence I mention it.

I really think it's just the weed-whacker 4 cylinder + wind drag. All my other vehicles have been somewhat powerful, and I think that the 4 cylinder is far outside of its element at cruising speeds, and gets "loaded up" quite a bit more, percentage-wise. (I would need a BSFC/load chart to actually put money on this theory, but I had BSFC charts for some of my other vehicles, and 80mph or so was their sweet-spot, rpm/BSFC wise.)

Part of the pitfalls of a tiny motor in a high-demand (SUV at speed) application. That said, doing city-speeds, it pays for itself, while my other vehicles were in the mid/high teens, this is in the low 20's.

Regardless, the vehicle delivers 100% as it should, except in the mpg department for how I drive. I did hypermile it once, and it did actually exceed sticker, so I don't think anything is "WRONG" with the vehicle. I just think that it's a far less capable ride than I'm used to, and it can't soak up the extra demand I place on it as effortlessly as my other cars and SUV were able to.

Chalk it up to trade-offs. Granny and small-staters with their slow speed limits/driving habits are going to get sticker, probably. Us southern boys with out 75-85mph speed limits are going to be frustrated. Can't please everyone, and more granny's and smallstaters buy CX-5's, so...
 
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"Small-staters"? LOL! What's that supposed to mean?

You live in little ol' Arkansas which is only 53,179 sq. miles. Puny! Even WA is more than a third bigger!
 

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