New Review at CanadianDriver

[diogenes]

Here's a new review of the 2008 Mazda5 at CanadianDriver:
http://www.canadiandriver.com/testdrives/08mazda5.htm

Pretty positive overall.

 

[dreamym5]

Mazda5 is an expensive car in Canada...(drive2)

 

[PolarBear]

Mazda5 is an expensive car in Canada...(drive2)

Like any other car here.


But I'm curious how did manage to improve mileage for manual tranny.
Is it possible to tweak our 06-07 models

 

[Dyx]

"new gauges and controls with white illumination replacing red backlighting;"(shocked)

"New for 2008, the round gauges and dash controls are backlit in white at night, a welcome change from the glaring red of previous Mazda5 controls."(wow)

What Red Backlighting? To think that Greg Wilson also reviewed the 07 Mazda5, maybe he didn't drive the 07 at night and assumed that the 06/07 Mazda5 have a red backlight like the Mazda3. But on the other hand, both his reviews were mostly positive on the Mazda5. (drive2)

 

[miwhite]

Fuel Economy

I asked my dealer how Mazda managed to improve the '08 fuel economy when there is no apparent change to the motor, the five speed manual transmission gear ratios and the final drive ratio. I was told they'd get back to me. Still waiting 2 1/2 months later.

 

[mrbwa1]

I asked my dealer how Mazda managed to improve the '08 fuel economy when there is no apparent change to the motor, the five speed manual transmission gear ratios and the final drive ratio. I was told they'd get back to me. Still waiting 2 1/2 months later.

I believe it all comes down to the changes in fuel economy testing. Technically speaking, the new method should give lower numbers, but some cars may end up with higher numbers. I always though the old method was terribly skewed in that a manufacturer could build to get great numbers (esp the old highway testing), but may not perform as well in real world situations (again, most notable highway).

Our '07 5 regularly gets 27-10 on the highway, even though it's rated at 24 highway, and gets about 25 combined rather than the rated 19. Our '01 Toyota Echo on the other hand struggled to get the 30 city rating, but gets 38-40 highway, even though its rated 35. Our highways are all 60/70 MPH, so I suppose slower speeds would help some. In the end it's all numbers, and I have found you are better of reading reviews and user fuel economy ratings to get a feet for what you will really see in the real world.

 

[barryWest]

However, an engine speed of 3,000 r.p.m. at 100 km/h in fifth gear is relatively high contributing to more noise and fuel consumption than is really necessary, in my opinion.

If I'm not mistaken, at 100 km/hr, my 2008 with the auto tranny revs lower than the 3000 he is stating.

 

[P_bouchr]

Mmm, my 2006 rvs at a solid 3500rpm at 120km/h. But surprisingly, I find the engine quiet at those revs.

 

[barryWest]

On my automatic 2008, I noted the following numbers last night:
- 100 km/hr @2400 rpm
- 120 km/hr @2900 rpm

Are the numbers dramatically different on the manual tranny?

 

[jandree22]

yeah the final gear ratio, at least on the 08 AT, is taller than the MT. So overall, not including the effects from AT drivetrain power loss, the MT is better geared for acceleration and the AT is better geared for highway fuel economy.

 

[coolmazda5]

On my automatic 2008, I noted the following numbers last night:
- 100 km/hr @2400 rpm
- 120 km/hr @2900 rpm

Are the numbers dramatically different on the manual tranny?

Here are some numbers I've seen:

6th speed (Manual, Europe, 2.0L): 120km/hr ~3400RPM
5th speed (Manual, NA, 2.3L): 75MPH, ~120km/hr ~3500RPM

Some of the old posts and pics:
http://www.mazdav.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=121025
http://www.mazdav.com/forum/showpost.php?p=3553270&postcount=37


Agree with jandree22 and I like it . MT is very peppy in 5th gear when needed, no need to downshift as some of my old cars. Now, if my regular commute was highway most of the time, I would be sad about the MPG difference, but for my current commute and very few long trips it is OK to be in the higher revs end