Mazda's Sky-G engine will be available soon
2012 Mazda3 Credit: Tribune Media Services
The Sky-G four-cylinder has EPA ratings of 28/40 mpg city/highway with the automatic and 27/39 mpg with manual. That's a significant jump over the Mazda3's current 148-hp 2.0-liter, rated at 24/33 mpg with an automatic, or the 167-hp 2.5-liter, which gets 22/29 mpg with an automatic.
What's not to like? The only hesitation we would have is that the SkyActiv engine and transmissions are new, and although they aren't revolutionary, their long-term durability is unproven. So bear in mind that early adopters are the first to discover any quality or reliability issues.
The next Mazda to get SkyActiv technology will be the Mazda CX-5, a new crossover SUV due in spring 2012 that will include weight savings and other efficiencies in its design to improve fuel economy. Mazda also plans a 2.2-liter SkyActiv diesel four-cylinder for the U.S. market in spring 2013 that the company says will have the fuel economy of a hybrid.
