MOTORWEEK : Test drive of 2011 MAZDA 2

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: KrisZ
But if the last gas price spike is any indication, all those proud Americans, that would never be seen in these [censored] boxes just a couple of years ago...


I read a quote once from an automotive writer. I think it was the older Car & Driver columnist (a Brit maybe? can't come up with his name). I think he nailed it. He said when people say they aren't comfortable in small cars, what they really mean is they're not comfortable being seen driving small cars.

 

[Pesca]

Originally Posted By: FXjohn
30 mpg. not worth it when you get close to the same in a V8 or V6.

Originally Posted By: CBR.worm
If you personally can get 30 in a V8, you will be able to get 40+ in a 2.

Most people get real world mileage of less than 20 with the most efficient V8's


I suppose you are talking highway best mileage you can get.

So, let me ask one more time: What is your average CITY fuel economy in your so-fuel-efficient V8s?
OK, if you don't want to disclose that, tell us at least your average mixed numbers.
Not everybody do only highway driving, we need to exit the highway and go through cities in order to get home.

 

[ItsuMitsubishi]

The superduper mileage V8 argument is a little skewed. The only way people get impressive MPG #'s from V8s is at a lower, very constant cruising speed and stable throttle angle combined with insane OD gearing ie. 1200-1500max 65mph. The condition of keeping the transmission in OD/lockup on that ridiculous ratio is the reason. Start putting demands for response on that thing, or just plain city driving and watch efficiency drop like a hammer. The laws of physics remain: each cylinder still has it's own drag to overcome, there is twice the surface area (and more, given the displacement disparity) conducive to reduced thermal efficiency and there is the simple matter of the vehicle's sheer mass and aerodynamics. You can try to reason your way out of these things with 'that one time I got 80mpg' anecdotes, yet they remain physical laws. I can see people getting 50 real world mpg, with careful driving. People already get 40's with the 2.0L in Mazda3's and Focus

 

[nomochevys]

How does the Mazda 2 compare to the Ford fiesta in crash test? Ford has a good rating I think especially for a small car. Thanks.