skyactiv review. sortof.

[flatwater]

Hi all,

Not quite a new owner introductory thread, I have placed an order for a Sport Skyactiv and looks like a wait of about a month for the model/colour I want. The Sky's have just started hitting the dealers this week (all AT'S).


I did want to share something that I found a bit surprising with the Sky - throttle response.

This was checking out a brand new one sitting on the dealer lot, (brand new as in, just arrived, first test drive).

When I blipped the gas I noticed that the engine felt 'heavy', its as if the engine didn't want to rev. While driving it, moving from zero on up, the gas pedal required a lot more travel than any car should have a right to be. I'm not sure if the pedals are cable or electronic, but my impression is that it was as if the gas pedal had a loose cable. I'm hoping this is just a one off, so I went to another dealer, test drove another, it did seem a bit better, but not by much.

I say surprising b/c Mazda goes to great lengths to make their cars sporty, throttle response should be something that's sorted out. For what it's worth, when I put the AT into manual mode and opened up the engine (1st 2nd), the car felt a bit weak. But, new car, I wasn't trying to cane the engine so the weakness was likely me not even getting to peak torque in the powerband. I will say that when already at cruising speed, i went up a decently steep hill, floored it, took a sec for the AT to downshift itself, and then it screamed and flew uphill with 2 people in it. I was seriously impressed.

So all that is to say, my initial impression is that the Sky engine will be very tame down low, and a beast up high. Actually that's not a bad combination.

Anyways, looking forward to getting my car. December can't come fast enough.

 

[Antonio DiMarco]

Was the car warmed up? The implementation of Sky in the 3 is not optimal since it does not have the proper manifold or the lightweight structural improvements. It could also be that you're used to a non-sky engine. Of course this is just conjecture on my part, I plan on test driving one for myself soon. Then I can probably offer some honest insight.

 

[ES Designs]

I too experienced the same thing when we test drove the new 2012 3 with 6-speed auto. You really have to put the pedal to the floor for decent acceleration, or to get quicker downshifts. I was a bit disappointed initially, but considering that this model is designed for excellent fuel economy, and still has great handling characteristics, it was not a deal breaker by any means. The car felt extremely smooth, quiet, and responsive. I think the only real decision people looking to get a new 3 have to make is Skyactiv (economy that's still enjoyable) or Mazdaspeed3 (aggressive power and handling), the 2.0 and 2.5 MZR engines aren't really contenders, not in my opinion any way. We have a Skyactiv 3 on order for my wife. We're getting the the 5-door 3i Grand Touring with tech package, should have it before Christmas. If it were going to be my car I would have gone for the manual tranny, but the wife wants automatic. I'm hoping that Mazda will offer the Skyactiv Diesel engine for the new CX-5, as that could possibly be my next car.

 

[SkyActiv]

I also experienced the same thing when I test drove it. Felt sluggish at low throttle.
I think it's just a different style in powerband. but like flatwater said, it's tame low and beasty high. I had four people in the car and it drove as if i was driving by myself. Didn't feel any drag in weight. This is much different then the RX-8 my gf had but it is a fun car to drive along with awesome mpg! "My 40 looks better than your 40" (drinks)

 

[3ric]

I've had my 3 i Touring 5 door w/ Skyactive for about 3 weeks now. I will admit that it's weak from a dead start, but above 40 mph it's a blast. I've taken two trips between Houston and Austin w/ my wife and kid and a strong head-wind. Drove between 70-80 the entire way and still pulled down 36 mpg. I have a pretty heavy foot and I'm still averaging 32+ mpg during my daily commute to work (50/50). The car handles like my wife's 2007 Civic coupe. Lot's of fun.

 

[M3SGT]

I've had my 3 i Touring 5 door w/ Skyactive for about 3 weeks now. I will admit that it's weak from a dead start, but above 40 mph it's a blast. I've taken two trips between Houston and Austin w/ my wife and kid and a strong head-wind. Drove between 70-80 the entire way and still pulled down 36 mpg. I have a pretty heavy foot and I'm still averaging 32+ mpg during my daily commute to work (50/50). The car handles like my wife's 2007 Civic coupe. Lot's of fun.

If you all didn't already know I can explain why it seems sluggish from a start. Mazda designed the transmission to idle in neutral at a stop. They didn't feel comfortable including the Stop/Start technology. So, actually when you come to a stop at a redlight or stop sign the transmission has to shift from neutral to first (automatic anyways). Done to help improve fuel economy.

 

[SkyActiv]

If you all didn't already know I can explain why it seems sluggish from a start. Mazda designed the transmission to idle in neutral at a stop. They didn't feel comfortable including the Stop/Start technology. So, actually when you come to a stop at a redlight or stop sign the transmission has to shift from neutral to first (automatic anyways). Done to help improve fuel economy.

This. It's an mpg enhancer called i-stop.

 

[M3SGT]

This. It's an mpg enhancer called i-stop.

Skyactiv at this point in the Mazda 3 doesn't employ any stopstart technology.

 

[campygoob]

Mazda 3 Skyactiv To me Tomorrow

Hello,

My wife and I are taking delivery of a 2012 I touring HB tomorrow. She has a 2007 Civic EX with Nav and the Mazda drove better than that. It also drove better than a Ford Fucus Titanium which was a much higher priced car. The Mazda was more responsive than either car, pulled better, was less noisy, is less cramped, looked sporter, cost less, etc. This will be my daily driver as I'm getting my 2005 M3 set up as a to and from and at the the track car.

Bottom line is I think this is the best car for the money for this purpose. Now if only the Skyactiv-D was available and Diesel was less expensive.

Fred

 

[campygoob]

Hey,

I just got back from Charlotte, NC. where I bought the car. I reset the computer and drove from Charlotte to Raleigh using the computer to tell me my avg speed and mileage. 65MPH and 44MPG avg. Not bad!

Fred

 

[Alejo_NIN]

i still hate the fact that it takes so much travel for the car to even start moving.
to the point that on the weekends, i stil rather drive my mazdaspeed3 than her car.

 

[campygoob]

I would rather drive my M3. But, I bought the Mazda because of the mileage and space. Does it handle like my M3? Does it brake like my M3? Does it corner like my M3? NO, but it doesn't drink gas like a M3 nor does it have the maintenance of my M3 or ride like a car that is one step from a track car like my M3.

This is a great car. I looked at a lot of cars prior to buying the 3. Mazda has hit a winner with this combo for my needs.

Fred