Wednesday, March 18, 2015

2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Specs and Details Announced

  • The 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata will offer 155 horsepower, 148 lb-ft of torque
  • Curb weight is down about 150 pounds from today's 2,500-lb figure
  • Mazda has not yet announced when the MX-5 Miata will go on sale
Mazda has officially announced several new details about its all-new, fully redesigned 2016 MX-5 Miata, which is scheduled to go on sale later this year. The new details include final weight, horsepower and torque figures as well as other specifications of importance to fans of the popular sports car.
The most eagerly anticipated new piece of information from Mazda is the 2016 MX-5's horsepower figure. According to the automaker, the new Miata will use a 2.0-liter SkyActiv4-cylinder that will make 155 hp, which is down 12 hp from the current model. But the 2016 MX-5 Miata's torque figure, 148 lb-ft, is up 8 notches from last year's number, suggesting that acceleration will be roughly the same.
In fact, the new Miata might even be a little faster than last year's model. Mazda recently confirmed that the next-generation MX-5 will boast a 150-lb weight reduction compared to its predecessor. That's not a small figure, considering last year's model weighed in at just 2,500 lbs.
Beyond the weight and power numbers, Mazda has announced a few other key details about the new MX-5 Miata. Among them are dimensions, with the new Miata measuring 154.1 inches in length, about 3 inches shorter than the current model, and transmissions, which will include a 6-speed manual or an optional 6-speed automatic. The new MX-5 Miata will also offer two wheel sizes: 17-in alloys in Club and GT trim, or 16 in base-level Sport guise.
Unfortunately, Mazda has not yet announced pricing for the 2016 MX-5 Miata, though we expect it'll be close to today's base price of around $25,000 with shipping. Mazda also hasn't announced when the new MX-5 Miata will reach dealers, though we're expecting to see it this spring or summer.
What it means to you: The 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata will boast more torque and a lighter curb weight than its predecessor, but it'll make less horsepower.

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Honda Civic Vs. Mazda 3: Compare Cars


2015 Honda Civic LX Sedan
7.8
TCC RATING
2015 Honda Civic
 
2015 Mazda Mazda3
8.6
TCC RATING
2015 Mazda MAZDA3
By Bengt Halvorson
Deputy Editor The Car Connection
January 27, 2015
2015 Mazda Mazda3
Fazda have excelled not just at making good, fuel-efficient subcompact sedans (and hatchbacks), but also those that are nimble and fun to drive, with more personality than a lot of the other driving appliances out there at their price. With the latest Mazda 3, this is true, more than ever; and with its latest Civic, Honda appears to have bounced back gracefully from an ill-conceived redesign.
The Honda Civic got a redesign for 2012 that made it feel, undeniably, a little more conservative; to Honda's credit, it did retain much of the futuristic look and rakish roofline of the previous Civic versions, but with a somewhat careful, evolutionary look in front, combined with a more utilitarian look inside, Honda's clearly emphasized practicality over style this time. Then a quick restyle for 2013 made the Civic much more handsome and chiseled from the front, and darker interior themes and more soft-touch materials made it feel more sophisticated inside. What remains in today's Civic from a design standpoint is still tough to love, mostly the Dali-esque instrument panel curvature.
The Mazda3 is the winner here, and remains one of the most distinctive small-car picks--especially if you opt for the five-door hatchback (a layout not offered in the Civic). Inside, the Mazda3 is more inspiring, more aspirational and cockpit-like, and the upscale look and feel of the new cabin materials clearly trumps those in the Civic. 

2015 Mazda MAZDA3 5dr HB Auto i Grand Touring Angular Front Exterior View
2015 Mazda MAZDA3 5dr HB Auto i Grand Touring Dashboard
2015 Honda Civic 4-door Auto CNG Side Exterior View
2015 Honda Civic 4-door Auto CNG Dashboard
The Civic might remain nimble and responsive compared to most other subcompacts, but it's clearly the second choice in terms of performance; its 140-hp, 1.8-liter four is still one of the best, but the steering isn't as precise or as well-weighted as the Mazda's. Honda retired its aging five-speed automatic transmission, replacing it with a continuously variable transmission (CVT); a five-speed manual still is available.
The Mazda 3 offers a 2.0-liter four rated at 155 horsepower and 150 lb-ft of torque, and a more powerful 2.5-liter version putting out 184 hp and 185 lb-ft of torque. Whether you go for the six-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed automatic transmission, these transmissions bring out a perky driving feel and return good real-world gas mileage. The latest Mazda 3 feels tight, precise, and pleasing in all the right aesthetic and tactile ways from the driver's seat. Steering is the only thing that isn't a clear step ahead, but it still has a more precise feel on the road than the Civic.
Mileage for either of these models is now great, with city ratings in the upper 20s and highway ratings up around 40 mpg--even if you spring for the larger 2.5-liter engine in the Mazda 3. Keep in mind that the Civic also offers an Si model, with a larger 2.4-liter four, as well as a Civic Hybrid, which returns an EPA-rated 44 mpg.
We used to caution away from the Mazda 3 for its harder ride and cabin harshness, but the latest version is better, with a more sophisticated ride and less cabin boom. What we still would point to as a weakness of the Mazda 3 is its cramped cabin, and especially the 'scrunched' feel of the back seat compared to that of the Civic. It's true that the Mazda is offered either as a sedan or hatchback, but it's the case in either body style that form trumped function to a higher degree than in the Honda--which would be our choice of the two if you need to carry adults in the back seat at times.
The former Mazda 3 wasn't a strong performer for safety, but what a difference a new edition makes. For 2015, the Mazda 3 is a IIHS Top Safety Pick+ choice, with top scores all around, and available forward-collision warnings with Smart City Brake Support, which can anticipate a collision and activate emergency braking under 19 mph. The Civic? It's a Top Safety Pick, an excellent crash performer but a car without the forward-collision warning system now sought by the safety agency.
Honda has packed many more features into the Civic in the past couple of years, without any major price hike (although it lost the base DX). All Civics now get Bluetooth hands-free calling connectivity and audio streaming, text-message functionality, Pandora integration, and a rearview camera system. Yet at the top of the lineup, the Mazda 3 offers more, in things like rain-sensing wipers and adaptive bi-xenon headlamps. All 's' versions, as well as 'i' Grand Touring (and optioned 'i' Touring models) include the Mazda Connect system, which brings a large, colorful, high-contrast touch-screen display atop the dash.
Overall, if you simply go by the numbers and consider only value for the money--or want a simple commuting car--you could be satisfied with either the Civic or the Mazda 3. The Civic has become a much more agreeable sedan for commuters, and those who put pragmatism at the top. But especially if you like driving, and want a sharp-looking, sharp-performing car, the Mazda 3 is the clear choice.