Tests and Features

IRVINE, California – With the new SKYACTIV-X engine, Mazda’s engineers have created a gas-powered internal combustion engine that is as dynamic and efficient as a diesel engine, minus the toxic emissions. Last year, The Car Guide went to the Mazda Research and Development Centre in Frankfurt, Germany, to get acquainted …

It’s an immensely popular segment in North America—especially in the U.S.—but sales have been slowing down significantly in the past couple of years. Midsize sedans are being traded in for sport-utility vehicles which are considered more practical. But not necessarily so. After all, a midsize sedan offers plenty of room …

The 2017 Mazda6 you see here has everything going against it to be a sales success. First, it’s a sedan, a breed of cars that’s taking a solid hit to the SUV onslaught we’ve been seeing in recent years. Second, it’s red, not the most popular colour—people only seem to …

Buyers of mainstream vehicles must obviously base their purchase decision on rational criteria, such as monthly payments, fuel economy, reliability and resale value. In addition, owning more than one car per household is getting more and more expensive, and we also would like to contribute to the environment by using …

To confront our harsh winters, a vehicle equipped with an all-wheel drivetrain has an undeniable advantage. The biggest selection of affordably priced models is found in the small SUV segment, and every automaker offers at least one of them in their product line-up. The least-expensive AWD SUV currently on sale …

At the Mazda Tech Forum in Frankfurt, I was able to drive two prototypes of the Mazda3 Sport powered by the new 2.0-litre four-cylinder SKYACTIV-X engine. With this mill, the manufacturer has reinvented the internal combustion gas engine by integrating certain diesel engine features to increase torque and reduce fuel …

The CX-5 compact SUV has the “it” factor. Although taste is subjective, even those who don’t like the CX-5’s style have to admit that it has a dynamic look. This SUV was updated this year and now shares several style features with its big brother, the CX-9, in particular for …

Human beings have so few moments of true brilliance. From the rare moments of grace, certain works that transcend their era stand out. Rarer still is when a group of men and women, despite their differences, are able to achieve perfection. Of the tens of thousands of cars designed for …

The second-generation CX-9, introduced last year, picked up where the first generation left off in regards to driving dynamics, but adopted a new SKYACTIV powertrain to replace the old, not-too-frugal V6 engine. It also boasts new styling that looks rich, refined and very European, as Mazda arguably is the Japanese …

Trailing the Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra and Toyota Corolla, the Mazda3 is not the bestselling car in its class, nor does it feature as many variants as some of its competitors. Moreover, it’s been around for several years now. And yet, it remains the measuring stick in the compact car …