Test Drive: 2012 Mazda3 GS SkyActiv

By Kevin Harrison

I’ve worked in the ‘green’ part of the automotive industry for a couple of years and I can say that, despite hybrids being around for over a decade now, they are still as polarizing as Sarah Palin. Even among devout environmentalists there is some question to the hybrid’s validity. Some love the technology and bought a Prius the day they came out, while others question the environmental impact of cross-globe parts shipping in order to make a hybrid in the first place.

Among performance enthusiast, the verdict is also split. You have enthusiasts who believe it is possible to have your cake and eat it too in the form of the Honda CR-Z, Infiniti M35h or Porsche Panamera Hybrid, but then you have some that believe that you can get a bigger rush from mowing the lawn than driving any kind of hybrid.

So, what else is there to satisfy all taste buds? Well diesels have been around for over a century now and they combine excellent efficiency with unsurpassed amounts of torque. Win-win, right? Not exactly. There are still some environmentalists that complain about the particulates emitted from diesels, despite huge efforts to make them cleaner, and there’s still performance enthusiasts who just can’t trade in their throaty sounding V8 for a clattering diesel.

So what’s the answer? Mazda thinks they have it with their all-new SkyActiv technology and claim the answer has been staring us in the face. The answer to combined performance with efficiency? The regular internal combustion engine we’ve been using for decades. I tried a new Mazda3 SkyActiv to see what makes this engine so special.

Along with the SkyActiv engine, there are other more subtle changes to the 2012 Mazda3 to keep it fresh. Look closely and you’ll notice the the front bumper has been reworked along with the rear bumper. Believe it or not, this is the most functional part of the exterior redesign as it actually improves aerodynamics – something that’s intregal to reducing drag and therefor improving fuel efficiency albeit only slightly. The new bumpers also eases the continuous hate it or love it smile that first appeared on the redesign. Look closer still and you’ll notice that there are blue rings around the projector style headlights. Only SkyActiv models get this feature and I’m not quite sure as to what their purpose is other than perhaps fooling people that you’ve got Xenons. There’s also new 16 and 17 inch wheel designs. There are also a host of new exterior colours including my tester’s colour called, you guessed it…Sky Blue.

Inside there are minor changes as well including new dials on the centre stack, new seat fabrics and SkyActiv models get a blue accent around the tachometer. The interior has decent quality materials and while the beeping noises are annoying every time you press a button, there is an ability to turn it off. Rear legroom is fairly tight however trunk space is adequate.

So obviously the biggest change for this year is the engine. The SkyActiv engine makes a healthy 155 horsepower with 148 pound feet of torque. Still, this 4 cylinder will not snap your head back under hard acceleration. Still, 0-100 time is a rather decent (for this segment anyway) 7.8 seconds. Not bad, but for a car that promises good fuel efficiency to boot.

Sticking with that, this engine is really impressive there’s no other way of saying it. That horsepower number is actually 5% better than the regular 2.0 litre non-SkyActiv engine in other Mazda3’s (which are still available for sale by the way), and 10% better torque numbers. Basically they were able to make a smaller engine more powerful. A difficult feat to be sure.

And despite it being more powerful, it’s also more efficient. The SkyActiv engine gets a rating of 7.1 L/100 kms in the city and 4.9 L/100 kms in the city with the six speed automatic transmission. Compare that to the regular 2.0 litre’s rating of 8.1 L/100 kms city and 6.0 L/100 kms highway. That’s a 20% increase in fuel efficiency. So, how were they able to make a regular Joe direct injection so efficient? Well in part they used the old adage of less is more. The used components that weigh significantly less than the standard engine. They’ve used direct injection as well as variable valve timing as well. Mix all that in with a high 12:1 compression ration and voila, you’ve got yourself a powerful and efficient engine.

Also helping out with fuel efficiency is re-worked transmissions. The six-speed SkyActiv manual gets short throws, but believe it or not, it’s the automatic transmission that’s the more efficient choice. Mazda engineered the new six-speed automatic to shift within 150 milliseconds (which is basically faster than you can blink) thanks to merging together certain things from a traditional automatic and a dual clutch transmission. But there are a few problems with the automatic. While shifts are probably as fast as Mazda claims, they are still harsh and jolty, not crisp and refined like in a regular DSG. Also, it really only shifts in 150 milliseconds when it wants to, not always when you tell it to in manual mode. Don’t think keeping it in regular mode helps with that either because no matter how much you put your foot down, the automatic transmission refuses to shift. So while the six-speed manual isn’t as efficient, I’m guess that it’s also not nearly as annoying and is probably worth the slight fuel efficiency penalty.

The six-speed manual is also a good idea because the Mazda3 is still very much tossable in the bends. The Mazda3 has always set the benchmark for handling in the segment and I’m pleased to say they’ve retained that crown despite catering to the fuel efficiency crowd. One thing I do wish was that there was more feeling in the steering, there’s virtually no feedback. A grippier steering wheel would be appreciated as well. Those drawbacks don’t hinder the Mazda3’s spirited nature though. Unlike most hybrids, the SkyActiv Mazda3’s don’t use low rolling resistance tires which is another reason why it’s able to stick to the road in a balanced and composed way. Body roll is virtually non-existent.

So has Mazda done it? Have they been able to bring some harmony between enthusiasts and environmentalists? They’re close. The Mazda3 is probably the only car you can buy that has a regular engine that can come alive in the expected zoom-zoom like manner, or be as quiet and efficient as a hybrid. However, my opinion is that this SkyActiv engine has its bias skewed a little more towards those concerned with fuel efficiency. Is that a bad thing? Well with prices nearing $1.50 per litre again, consider fuel efficiency to be a bit more of a priority for this driving enthusiast, even if it does mean giving up a little to get a little. And that’s precisely why the SkyActiv Mazda3 is setting a new benchmark yet again in the compact segment.

As Tested Price: $20,395

Pros:

  • Still a benchmark in segment for handling
  • Nice interior layout
  • Impressive and intelligent engine

Cons:

  • Lack of steering feedback
  • Automatic transmission deters from performance
  • Tight rear seats

Overall: 7.5/1

Related Posts

No Comments Yet.

Leave a comment

You must be logged in to post a comment.