May 26, 2009
August 21, 2008
I spent several days and several hundred miles in an all-new 2009 Mazda 6 last weekend and I must say, if you are a fan of the current Mazda 6 you probably won't like the all-new one.
But here's the most important part -- there aren't many fans of the current Mazda 6. Oh sure, you hear enthusiasts (myself included) shout in glee about the current car's light, nimble handling, creative styling and unique interior design. But check the sales charts and the Mazda 6 falls far short of the Accord, Altima and Camry. For instance, in 2007 Honda sold 393,000 Accords, Toyota sold 424,000 Camrys and Nissan sold 284,000 Altimas. Heck, even Ford sold 150,000 Fusions (the Mazda 6's own platform mate). The Mazda 6? A modest 58,000.
So while a vocal minority of enthusiasts may bemoan the "Camry-ization" of Mazda's formerly lithe and responsive family sedan, logic and sales charts suggest Mazda is only showing good business sense in the new car's design.
July 3, 2008
Now before the Roundel-philes out there freak on me -- "What are you saying man?! Mazda's puny, turbocharged, front-drive econo-box is the equal of Germany's greatest sports sedan icon?!! Are you mad?!!!" -- let me explain that headline.
The Mazdaspeed 3 certainly doesn't possess the power, refinement or sheer performance of BMW's current M3...though compared to earlier versions...well let's not go there for now. Anyway, the car isn't a 400-horsepower V8 monster, but it is a tuned version of an exceptional base car.
The M3's iconic status comes primarily from being based on such an excellent starting point -- the BMW 3 Series. The same is true of the Mazdaspeed 3. Big surprise -- if the engineers get it right on the volume seller, the true benefits shine through on the tuner version.
May 15, 2008
I spent most of yesterday at Willow Springs Raceway as part of our second Edmunds Consumer Comparison Test: Economy Cars.
If you saw my earlier post you already know that we wanted to pit the leading (by both sales and editorial opinion) economy sedans against each other, but beyond picking the entrants and organizing the test session we would offer no guidance on which car we like the best.
Six consumers performed each of the evaluations on the economy sedans. The excercises including a city driving loop, a highway loop, acceleration, braking and handling tests, plus a static evaluation where they could test cargo capacity, examine interior features and generally go over each car with a fine tooth comb.
May 7, 2008
Has the Mazda Miata ever really jumped the shark? Moreso than the BMW M3, I would argue it has not.
In looking at the Miata's basic specs over its three generations there is an undeniable weight gain -- from just over 2,000 pounds for the 1990 model to 2,400 pounds in the current roadster. A "bulk-up" of more than 25 percent for a two-seat sports car could be reason enough to suggest the jumping of predatory fish. But if you've driven all three generations you know the Miata's core mission of providing exotic-car levels of fun at just over economy car prices hasn't faltered.
March 25, 2008
I don't have one topic worthy of a full Talk Back Tuesday post, but I do have a few mini topics from the past week that, when added up, almost equate to one worthy discussion...hopefully. Here goes:
In the spirit of "perfect timing" comes a new Hummer H2 book: Yes, just as oil passes $100-a-barrel and gas hits $4-a-gallon we get a new book that, according to the press release:
"With unfolded centerfold the book reaches a width of 237 cm (94.5 inches), wider than the subject of the book, the HUMMER H2, itself. HUMMER H2 - KING SIZE AMERICA! is the biggest and most exclusive car book in the world and is published in a limited edition of just 999 sequentially numbered and signed copies. On 200 gloss-laminated pages German automobile journalist Hans-Jürgen Tücherer tells a great many entertaining and amusing stories that surround this spectacular American SUV. More than 270 fascinating pictures up to 43 x 237 centimeters (17 x 94.5 inches) in size depict the HUMMER H2 in all its glorious details and from many highly unusual perspectives. HUMMER H2 - KING SIZE AMERICA! is available for 999 Euros. The German edition is on sale now. The English version will be available online at www.h2book.com starting in April 2008."
Yes, for a mere $1,500 you too can pay proper homage to your H2 with a book as obnoxious as the vehicle itself! Better reserve your copy today!!
February 27, 2008
This is going to sound bad after yesterday's topic, but I think I'd suggest a larger CUV over this 2008 Volvo V70.
Now hear me out. First, the fuel mileage on this crate isn't all that impressive at 16/24 mpg. By comparison, a 2008 Mazda CX-9 with front-wheel drive scores 16/22 while being superior to the V70 in just about every measurement. The Mazda is quicker (no turbo for the V70 this year), handles considerably better, offers greater interior space, seats two additional passengers, tows more and has higher ground clearance (yeah, those last two items are more theoretical than practical for most potential buyers). The CX-9 also has a price advantage that nicely offsets the V70's 2 mpg advantage on the highway.
The V70 still has the upper hand in terms of standard and optional safety equipment (active front head restraints, integrated child booster seats, childproof door locks, collision warning system, lane departure warning system, etc.). The V70 also has excellent front seat comfort. But in our test car the flaccid throttle response and floppy handling seemed excessive, even for a Volvo station wagon.
December 13, 2007
The first round of 2008 North American Car and Truck of the Year votes are in...
Car Finalists:
1. Cadillac CTS 2. Chevrolet Malibu 3. Honda Accord
Truck Finalists:
1. Buick Enclave 2. Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid 3. Mazda CX-9
The final winnners will be announced the morning of January 13th as part of the kickoff for the 2008 North American International Auto Show (also known as the Detroit Auto Show). I just sent my second-round ballot in, so my part in voting for the car and truck winners is over. I won't know the results before that January 13th announcement, though obviously I know who I voted for.
December 10, 2007
I just took my second drive in a 2008 Mazda CX-9, but this time I was coming home from work late, which meant no traffic on PCH. The only speed limiter I had on the twisty sections of that coastal pavement strip was the Mazda's handling capability and my faith in the Valentine One. And I went FAST!
I already knew the CX-9 handled well on the tight sections of Mulholland from my first experience in the car, but damn -- this thing is powerful, too! I didn't really experience that trait last time because Mulholland isn't a horsepower-hungry road and the rest of my commute was on trafiic-snarled PCH and the 101 "freeway." But between the car's composed chassis and its rockin' 3.7-liter, 273 horsepower V6, and it's responsive six-speed auto, this crossover accelerates like a certain German sports sedan. It handles about as good as one, too.
I'm still not a fan of the whole "Let's let people who should buy minivans feel cool" thinking behind the "crossover" segment, but when a vehicle is this well executed I don't care what they call it. BTW, the CX-9's interior design, seat comfort (and lateral support) and exterior styling are also among the best in the segment.
November 7, 2007
Despite the updated 2008 EPA tests for fuel mileage this new 2008 Mazda Tribute Hybrid gets 29 mpg in the city and 34 on the highway. That's a real-world average of over 30 mpg. It's not quick, with a 155 horsepower drivetrain using a 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine and an electric motor that can move the car up to 25 mph without burning any fuel (if you go easy on the throttle). The CVT tranny doesn't add to this SUV's sportiness, with a high-pitched whine at take-off that had me checking for cops until I got used to the distant siren song. Handling isn't superb by modern SUV/crossover standards, either. Not surprising considering the body-on-frame design circa 2001.
After driving it last night I can confirm it's not quick, nimble or even as stylish as any other current Mazda product (despite exterior upgrades for 2008). But it still offers nearly 30 cubic feet of storage space behind the second-row seat, and up to 66 cubic feet of storage when you fold that seat down. It has a comfortable ride, sufficient secod-row seating space, dual-zone climate control, a 110-volt power outlet and a kickin' audio system with auxiliary input. In other words, it's clearly not a penalty box and is hard to truly fault (though I'd like less Ford-esque hard plastic on the dash and door panels). And did I mention it gets over 30 mpg?
October 25, 2007
A couple years ago I posed the question: "Isn't 'crossover' just a PR-friendly term for 'compromise'?" It's not that I'm against the crossover movment, but I like reminding potential buyers that -- depending on their needs -- there's probably another vehicle that will serve them better.
I consider the 2008 Mazda CX-9 one of the best crossovers currently on the market. It's plenty quick enough (especially with the new 3.7-liter, 273 horsepower V6), it handles better than a 4,500-pound vehicle should, and the seat comfort (at least in the first two rows) is on par with the best minivans. Basically, if you want maximum people toting capacity and maximum sportiness for less than $40,000 this is easily your best option. And as my recent "What Makes a Great Car Great?" post stated, being quite capable at more than one thing is what determines "greatness" in a vehicle.
August 28, 2007
Just took a gander at Automotive News' future product plan for Japanese carmakers. Not too surprisingly, the coming years hold hybrids and crossovers from the Land of the Rising Sun (actually, many of them will come from right here in North America). Each automaker has a few interesting items in the pipeline.
Acura: No official confirmation of a V8 in Acura's future, which I continue to view as the division's greatest failing. The next RL is due in 2011, so they better make up their mind. But we do know a V10 engine will power the NSX replacement. I like that they have a full-tilt exotic in the works, but one vehicle does not a division make (as was proven with the last NSX).
Honda: Honda will continue to push hybrids, with a smaller-than-Civic model. No more Accord hybrids, but the Odyssey will be Honda's first V6 diesel-powered vehicle in the U.S. in 2010 (also the year CR-V goes diesel with a 4 cyl.). I'm personally looking forward to the Remix, the spiritual successor to the CRX. And between the Pilot and CR-V? Yup, another crossover is coming.
July 30, 2007
I spent the weekend with my second Mazdaspeed 3 in as many weeks, but this one had something extra going on. Actually it had several extra things going on because it's a rolling version of the Mazdaspeed accessory catalog, complete with chrome intake pipes, loud exhaust pipes, alloy wheels and gnarly body panels.
July 23, 2007
Do I like the "all-new" Subaru WRX better than Mazda's superb Mazdaspeed 3? I can't tell. And don't mean that in an Airplane movie, "You can tell us, Karl, we're your readers" sort of way. I mean I drove the Mazdaspeed 3 about a week ago, and I just drove the new WRX, and that's simply too much time between drives. Both cars are too good overall, and the only way to confirm which is "better" is to drive them back-to-back and/or do instrumented testing. Fortunately, I have allies who did both...
July 19, 2007
A recent stint in a 2007 Mazda RX-8 confirmed what I've been sensing about this car over the past couple years. Essentially, I can't get particularly excited about the RX-8 anymore because it doesn't do anything particulary well. It's not particularly fast (zero-to-60 in around 7 seconds), it's not particularly comfortable or roomy (despite the four-door design). It's not particularly seductive in appearance, and it doesn't get particularly good mileage. Actually it's pretty bad in terms of sucking down dino juice, as our long-term RX-8 got just 17.5 mpg over the course of our 19,000 miles. "Not bad for a sports car" you say? With only 1.3-liters of displacement and a zero-to-sixty time of 7 seconds there should be a pay-off somewhere, but it isn't on the fuel economy side. Our long-term car sucked down more than just gas, as regular oil-quart additions were necessary to keep the "Low Oil" light from coming on.
July 11, 2007
With a name like that the product better be pretty damn good. Thankfully the Mazda Mazdaspeed Maz -- oh, you know, this one -- is. At $25K its well outside of "economy car" pricing, so calling it a pocket-rocket feels like somewhat of a stretch. But the turbocharged, 263 horsepower engine certainly gets the job done. There's some turbo lag below 3,000 rpm, a bit of torque steer, and I'd presonally like a little more exhaust growl, but these are minor elements in a car with this much fun and practicality packed into the same twenty-five-grand package.
March 7, 2007
One of the more exciting cars to debut at the Geneva Auto Show is the Mazda2. Why? After all, it's only got about 100 horsepower and, officially, it's not coming to America. However it will be the basis for a new Ford subcompact vehicle, likely to be called the Fiesta, and that version will be coming to America...
February 23, 2007
Great article in this week's Automotive News about Mazda's crossover fixation. Mark Rechtin rightly identifies that, as a niche brand with less than 300,000 in annual sales, the idea of having five crossovers among their nine U.S. models seems like a bit of overkill. Of course, we live in a Crossover World these days, and some might argue there's no such thing as "too many" crossovers...
December 29, 2006
Mazda was good enough to get me a Mazda CX-7 right before the final deadline (January 2nd) for the North American Car and Truck of the Year voting. I've just completed my NACTOY vote and sent in the ballot, but the winners won't be announced until January 7th at the Detroit Show. Each juror was given 10 points to distribute among the three car finalists (Fit, Aura, Camry) and three truck Finalists (Silverado, Edge, CX-7).
I'm not going to share my point distribution until after the winners are announced, but I will say the CX-7 is an excellent example of where the market for people movers sits in the year 2007...
December 14, 2006
We're down to three car and three truck finalists for the 2007 North American Car and Truck of the Year award. On the car side we have the Honda Fit, Saturn Aura and Toyota Camry. On the Truck side it's the Chevrolet Silverado, Ford Edge or Mazda CX-7. I (along with 49 other NACTOY jury members) will be voting on these final six over the next couple weeks, and the winners will be announced on January 7th at the Detroit Auto Show...
August 23, 2006
The idea of starting with a CR-V, affixing some Acura badges, and calling it a BMW X3 competitor struck me as, well, I'll use the word "unrealistic." It's not that I'm over-the-top in love with the X3 or anything, but I simply didn't see Honda pulling this one off. After all, the X3 begins with a 3 Series. The CR-V starts with a, um, Civic. But I took the RDX home last night, and on my way I made a quick detour along Mulholland Drive. Suffice to say, I was wrong.
July 20, 2006
I drove Mazda's new CX-7 home last night. I first experienced this model several months ago, but it was raining the entire time and I mostly just drove it on the highway. Plus there was still an embargo, so I couldn't actually talk about its driving characteristics. Back then I attributed the car's platform to the Mazda 6 but was told by various readers it's really based on the Mazda 3/5 platform, with just some Mazda 6 elements thrown in as well...
May 24, 2006
I may be mistaken, but I could swear that for the last 2 and 1/2 days it's been SUNNY in "sunny" Southern California! This may not sound big like news, but if you've lived within 10 miles of the coast for the last three months, you know it is. I was lucky enough to drive our long-term Mazda Miata home and I kept the top down the entire time. This car continues to prove the old adage -- It's more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow...
March 21, 2006
It's my pleasure to tell you that I've just driven this car -- and it's my pain to tell you about the April 20 embargo on all driving impressions. At least we'll have a full test up on that day, complete with photos, video, track testing and audio system evaluation. One thing I can say is that the SUV/Crossover market continues to evolve. Everyone (myself included) laughed when Lexus intro'd the RX 300 in 1999...
March 16, 2006
We just added a "Winning Blue" 2006 Mazda Miata (in "Sport" trim) to our long-term fleet. We got the optional suspension package but otherwise we kept it pure and simple, with no extraneous luxury geegaws. I drove it home tonight, putting the first 100 miles on and, just as our comparison test stated, this car is clearly the real "sports car" of the pair when compared to our long-term Solstice (which I just drove home last night). I wasn't able to really push the engine, as I'm following break-in procedure and not going above 5,000 rpm...
March 1, 2006
You've probably already seen the latest news on the Mazdaspeed 3 (or is that the Mazda Mazdaspeed 3? Ugh!), but I would venture to say that between this car and the Caliber SRT-4 we might soon find that "300 is the new 200" in the economy sedan class -- meaning you have to have at least 300 horsepower just to be taken seriously. Even as a horsepower junky, I think that's nuts! I remember when it was a big deal that Dodge/Mitsubishi offered 300 horsepower in the Stealth/3000GT (later upgraded to 320 hp). And don't forget that the Acura NSX never got to 300 hp (290 was the most it ever saw from the factory)...
November 4, 2005
Someone asked about the Mazda Mazdaspeed Mazda6. Well, beyond the obvious answer -- Yes, this is the stupidest name for a car ever!!! (you can find more of my thoughts on that aspect of the car in my latest editorial).
But there's the question of what kind of performance does it offer for $28,000?
According to our editor who drove it personally, the car does offer superb handling, but it's still not BMW 3 Series caliber (which is, of course, a very high caliber indeed)...
October 24, 2005
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