Mazda

Mazda CX-5 named Car and Driver’s best compact SUV

Car and Driver is among the most well-known automotive publications. Its web site thrives on lists and photo galleries, including the recent naming of the 2015 Mazda CX-5 as the top choice for best compact crossover sport utility vehicle. The web site’s editors don’t elaborate on the criteria used to select their best and worst choices. But the Mazda CX-5 surprisingly gets the top choice over the always-popular Honda CR-V and top-selling Ford Escape. The Mitsubishi Outlander was the lowest-rated compact crossover SUV among 16 vehicles listed. Here’s what Car and Driver said about the 2015 Mazda CX-5: “The apex-loving CX-5 is the sports car of crossovers, with an athleticism you have to experience to believe. A 155-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder

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2016 Mazda 6: Watch out Honda Accord, Toyota Camry

It’s hard to believe the 2016 Mazda 6 marks the 14th year since the manufacturer replaced the Mazda 626 with its current midsize sedan. The current third generation debuted in 2013, and the new offering is packed with considerable improvements — particularly in the highest-level trim. The Weekly Driver Test Drive A five-passenger sedan, the Mazda 6 is offered in Sport, Touring and top-line Grand Touring trims, and my weekly driver was the latter. It has so many changes, how could it not be a new generation? For 2016, the Mazda 6 features revised front and rear styling, making it appreciably more handsome. The previous xenon headlights have been replaced with LED headlights and there’s a larger (7-inch) touchscreen interface

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2015 Mazda CX-9: Power, comfort, fair price

A full-sized crossover sport utility vehicle, the Mazda CX-9 debuted in 2006 as a 2007 model. It’s been refreshed and tweaked along the way. But the original generation of the three-row, seven-passenger sport utility vehicle for 2015 remains largely unchanged from last year. The Weekly Driver Test Drive The 2015 Mazda CX-9 is offered in Sport, Touring and Grand Touring trims, and my weekly driver was the top-line Grand Touring option with front-wheel drive. It’s available with all-wheel drive and a towing package. Like all Mazdas, the CX-9 has a long list of standard features. The Sport model’s equipment includes: 18-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, three-zone automatic climate control, a tilt-and-telescoping leather-wrapped steering wheel, a height-adjustable driver seat, cloth upholstery,

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PREVIEW: 2016 Mazda MX-5, lighter, better mpg

The 2016 Mazda MX-5 continues the legacy of the best-selling roadster in history. It’s been re-engineered and is being marketed as offering 25 percent improved gas mileage. Additionally, the 2016 Mazda MX-5 is lighter and quicker than its predecessor, according to the manufacturer. The new Mazda has an EPA-estimated 27 mpg city/34 mpg highway/30 mpg combined when equipped with the standard SKYACTIV-MT six-speed manual transmission. With an optional six-speed automatic the 2016 Mazda MX-5 is rated at 27 mpg city/36 mpg highway/30 mpg combined. The increased gas mileage averages, highlight the benefits of Mazda’s SKYACTIV technology, according to the carmaker. “SKYACTIV Technology is more than a catchphrase for Mazda; it’s a total effort to increase efficiency, improve performance, safety and

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2015 Mazda CX-9: Sporty SUV for seven shines

Vehicles with a sporty nature need not be coupes or convertibles. Mazda has been injecting its vehicles with a decidedly sporty nature for years. The 2015 CX-9 crossover is no exception. The four-door hatchback CX-9 drives much like a worthy large sedan, with nicely weighted and accurate power steering, agile handling, supple ride and friendly acting brake pedal. It’s enjoyable to drive. Helping keeping things safe and stable are anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution and brake assist, besides Dynamic Stability Control, Traction Control System and Roll-Stability Control. Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear-Cross Traffic Alert, backup sensors and a rearview camera are standard on Touring and Grand Touring models and not available on the base Sport. For added safety’s sake,

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2015 Mazda MX-5 Miata: rough, tough roadster endures

Now beginning its second quarter century, the 2015 Mazda MX-5 Miata retains its long-time status as fairly priced, fun-to-drive, two-seat sports car. The formula has worked so well, it’s the best-selling roadster in history. The Miata had its top sales year in 2006 (nearly 17,000) with subsequent sales in some years falling drastically. Beyond trim “tweaks,” most notably in 2013, the just-announced 2016 edition is the first new generation in a decade. The car is approaching one million units sold. The Weekly Driver Test Drive The rear-wheel drive MX-5 Miata is equipped with a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine with 167 horsepower. My weekly test vehicle was the top-line Grand Touring edition, one of four available trims. It had a six-speed manual

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2016 Madza lineup set for livestream debut

Mazda North American will livestream its product reveals, including the much-touted, all-new 2016 Mazda CX-3 compact crossover utility vehicle, on YouTube ad Ustream, the night before the vehicles’ debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The offsite event at 8 p.m. PST Tuesday (Nov. 18) will also include refreshed versions of the 2016 Mazda6 midsize sedan, the 2016 CX-5 crossover and the 2016 MX-5. All of the new Mazda vehicles – with the addition of Mazda3, Mazda5 and CX-9 – will be on display throughout the run of the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show.   Additionally, Mazda will show the just-debuted Global MX-5 Cup racing version of the MX-5 as well as other special racing and one-off project vehicles. The

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PREVIEW: 2016 Mazda MX-5, longer, lighter

With events held simultaneously in California, Spain and Tokyo, the 2016 Mazda MX-5 was unveiled Sept. 3 as a lighter, more angular fourth generation of the best-selling two-seat roadster in history. Introduced 25 years ago, the Mazda MX-5, formerly known as the Miata, had reached total production of 940,000 units in July to correspond to the car’s 25th anniversary. The Mazda MX-5, which is expected to go on sale next year, is also expected to make its North American debut at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show in November. According to a report in the Los Angeles Times, Mazda didn’t announced many details despite its three-city extravaganza. Engine specifications, for example, were not available. But the roadster is expected to

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Hardtop convertibles unheralded but more worthy

The term hardtop convertible could be construed as an oxymoron. It’s not. By any name or derivative — removable hardtop to retractable hardtop — hardtop convertibles are an deal solution to their prevalent ragtop siblings. But for nearly the past decade, following a New York Times article touting the benefits of retractable hardtops, more car manufacturers have introduce and further promoted their hardtop trims. Still, hardtop convertibles often unheralded. The obvious reason is that with the top up, it’s difficult to know if the vehicle is a convertible. Several-dozen hardtop convertibles are currently available, many in the United States, including the 2014 Lexus IS 350. It’s the vehicle I’m driving this week during the USA Pro Challenge, the 525-mile professional

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2014 Mazda MX-­5 Miata: Racy, fun, agile

Nobody ever seems to get tired of sports cars. The Mazda MX-5 Miata didn’t look exotic when it arrived for the 1990 model year. But it turned lots of heads because it was the first modern-looking small sports car in years, complete with retractable headlights. Once-popular affordable sports cars such as the dated British MG and Triumph were long gone. The Miata actually was a clever copy of the 1960s-1970s British Lotus Elan sports car. Both were a blast to drive. But, while the low-volume Elan was troublesome and known to few Americans, the heavily promoted, high-volume Japanese Miata was dead reliable. The rear-wheel-drive Miata was a quick, straightforward, agile little roadster. Many young women–not to mention plenty of male

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PREVIEW: 2016 Mazda Miata MX-5

The redesigned 2016 Mazda Miata MX-5, the fourth generation of the best-selling sports car in history, will debut simultaneously at three international events. In addition to debuts in Spain and Japan, the 25th anniversary of the Mazda Miata, will be unveiled Sept. 3 at an exclusive event in Monterey, California. The new Mazda Miata MX-5 debuted initially at this year’s New York International Auto Show in the form of an exposed SKYACTIV-CHASSIS. “We’re excited to make this official, to announce that the newest member of the MX-5 Miata family will be arriving soon,” said Jim O’Sullivan, president and CEO, Mazda North American Operations (MNAO). “Along with our colleagues around the world, we continue to celebrate the MX-5’s 25th anniversary and

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Recall madness: Honda, Nissan, Mazda . . . airbags

Honda, Nissan and Mazda combined are recalling about 1.3 million cars in North America and more than 3 million globally for faulty airbags manufactured by the Takata Corp. Honda is recalling 1.02 million Civic, CR-V, Odyssey and Element models manufactured between April 2000 and October 2002. Nissan is recalling 228,00 vehicles. Mazda is recalling about 15,000 of the RX-8 and Mazda6. Takata airbags were last involved in a recall in 2013 when Japanese automakers recalled 3.4 million vehicles worldwide because of faulty airbags. In early June (2014), Toyota recalled 844,277 with similar problems. The exact cause of the airbag issue has not been determined. One theory is that defective inflators can explode when deployed because of the propellent’s sensitivity to

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Ford recalls 1.4 million vehicles dating to 2006

Ford has joined General Motors in a dubious recent honors contest with the announcement of a recall of 1.4 million cars in a variety of brands and manufactured between 2006 and 2013. The biggest percent of the recalls, according to the Detroit News, involves 915,216 Ford Escape, Mercury Mariner and Ford-built Mazda Tribute CUVs. The vehicleating firm 2008 to 2011, for faulty torque sensors. The issue could could lead to sudden power steering failure. Manual steering would still be available, though. The recall includes 736,000 of the above brands built in the United States and the majority of the rest in Mexico and Canada. While suffering with a similar issue, the manufacturer is also will recall 195,527 Ford Escapes, with

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Happy 25th birthday to the Mazda Miata (video)

Mazda is now officially celebrating the 25th year anniversary of the MX-5 Miata. It was previously known simply as the Miata, and combined by both names it’s the best-selling sports roadster in history. The name Miata derives from the German word for “reward.” The name fits for the 2014 Mazda MX-5 Miata, since it continues the tradition of the classic two-seater. The reward is what Miata customers receive. The Miata has its own personality, but it also pays homage to roadsters of yesteryear like the Triumph Spirtfire, MG MGB, Fiat 124, Alfa Romeo and Lotus Elan. The 2014 Miata, which was refreshed last year, marks the 25th anniversary of the little beast It debuted in 1989 as a 1990 model

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Lexus, Mazda shine in 2014 Best Family Car list

A family car once meant a station wagon or a lackluster, underpowered box-like sedan. No more. For 2014, U.S. News & World Report has selected performance cars and family oriented cars that are perfectly capable for single drivers. The magazine (and its corresponding online edition) has selected the best vehicles for families in 19 categories, compact cars to minivans, hatchback to luxury cars. The 2014 Mazda6, the Best Midsize Car for Families, and the 2014 Mazda3, the Best Compact Car for Families, both have performance that car reviewers love. That performance comes in addition to available high-tech safety features, like forward collision warning and lane departure warning, as well as spacious cabins most car critics agree feel upscale. The Honda

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CAR REVIEW: 2014 Mazda MX-5 Miata: Sporty, affordable

The Mazda MX-5 Miata debuted in 1989 as a 1990 model at the Chicago Auto Show — and at an ideal time. Roadsters we’re particularly en vogue at the time. But Mazda nevertheless introduced the little beast as an affordable two-seat convertible sports car. The rest is automotive history. The Mazda MX-5 or as it’s called only in the North America, the Mazda MX-5 Miata, is the best-selling car of its class globally. More than 900,000 have sold since the most recent international tally at the end of 2011. The name Miata derives from the German word for “reward.” And thus the car’s name also serves as an homage to roadsters of yesteryear like the Triumph Spirtfire, MG MGB, Fiat

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