It has just occurred to me that while browsing
through Car and Driver's website, five of Mazda's seven models for
2016 are ranked best in class. Considering how small a company Mazda is
compared to industry giants such as Toyota, Ford, Honda, and General
Motors, this is a huge accomplishment. Almost every review I have read recently
about a new Mazda product praises its driving dynamics, style, quality, and
value.
Credit for this turnaround needs to be shared
jointly between Mazda's Kodo design language and its Skyactiv approach to
creating cars. First, the brand's Kodo design language has gifted new
Mazdas with handsome athletic proportions befitting cars of a higher price
bracket. It is also satisfying to see concepts with Kodo styling
enter production with minimal styling changes. For many years, people
were teased with concepts featuring Nagare design touches with next to none
appearing on production cars, save for some swooshes along the flanks of the
Mazda 5 and smiley face grills for all. Interiors benefit from an
increase in quality and improved ergonomics. Car and Driver goes so
far as to call the Mazda 3 interior the best you can buy for under
$30,000. The magazine praises its seating position and the placement of
primary and secondary controls. Everything is where it is supposed to be
and the layout is designed to not distract from the task of driving;
something that is very satisfying to do in the newest crop of Mazdas.
All new Mazdas are built using a philosophy called
Skyactiv, the gist of which is optimizing every component of the car
for maximum efficiency and performance. Skyactiv gasoline engines are
built with a compression ratio of 14:1 which is unparalleled among other mass
production engines. This results in higher fuel efficiency
and increased performance figures. The Mazda 6, using a 184 hp
Skyactiv engine is able to sprint from 0-60 in seven seconds while still
returning 37 mpg on the highway. The Skyactiv approach also applies to
transmissions that handle gear changes faster and smoother, and platforms and
chassis that are built from lightweight materials to boost efficiency and
handling.
The latest Mazda to benefit from a Skyactiv overhaul
is the MX-5 Miata. In many ways the Miata is in a class by itself.
No other automaker offers a rear drive sports car with a convertible top that
is a joy to drive for less than $40,000. The last closest competitors
were the short lived Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky twins. Even though
the Miata could relax and get soft, it hasn't. The new car is shorter,
sits on a smaller wheelbase, and weighs less than the outgoing car. Power
is provided by a 155 hp 2.0 liter with direct injection. A new six speed
manual gearbox helps cut acceleration to 60 mph to 5.9 seconds. Fuel
economy sees a massive leap from 24 to 30 mpg. The interior is roomier
and the materials are of a higher quality than the previous generation.
Base models can be purchased for as little as $25,735, an increase of $945 from
last year, but only $267 more than the inflation adjusted base price of the
original 1990 Miata. Overall, the Miata throws into question why one
needs a big heavy sports car. The Miata has usable performance at an
affordable price. If driving is your paramount concern, look no further
than the new Miata.
Though all new Mazdas represent impressive leaps
forward compared with the models they replace, I was quite surprised to hear
that Mazda will not be bringing its new 2 hatchback to the United States next
year. The company cites low number of sales regarding this
decision. After seeing some statistics I can begin to understand what
they are on about. In 2014 Chevrolet sold 93,518 Sonics, Ford sold
63,192 Fiestas, and Honda sold 59,340 Fits. Mazda only managed to move
13,615 copies of the 2. Driving through my state I see these numbers
in action. Sonics and Fiestas are everywhere and I hardly ever see a
2. Still there is some hope. The platform lives on in the new
CX-3 albeit with four wheel drive. And the Scion iA is a sedan version of
the 2 sold in other markets. The driving dynamics remain the same,
although Scion saw fit to add a hideous whale shark mouth that is the stuff of
nightmares. Mazda also assures Americans that the 2 will come back if it
is ever needed, for example if gas prices suddenly spike again. Still,
considering it received all the styling and Skyactiv enhancements of other
Mazda models, it seems a shame not to bring it here now. 13,000
people may not be a large number, but I guarantee every one of them would
have a smile on their face.
