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Small SUV fuel economy war

  • By Mark Hinchliffe
  • The Courier-Mail
  • 09 February 2012
  • image

    The new Mazda sub-compact SUV is the first to feature the full range of the company's new SKYACTIV engine.

The first salvos have been fired in a war on fuel economy in the sub-compact SUV category.

Just as Subaru launched its new all-wheel drive XV featuring a two-litre petrol engine with CVT and a thrifty fuel economy figure of 7L/100km that beats even the opposition's two-wheel-drive models, Mazda released its economy figures for the upcoming diesel CX-5 competitor.

The CX-5 will arrive in showrooms in March with a choice of two-litre petrol and 2.2-litre diesel engines, but Mazda has so far only released its economy figures for the SKYACTIV-D diesel which comes in with 5.7L/100km.

Subaru does not have a diesel variant. The new Mazda sub-compact SUV is the first to feature the full range of the company's new SKYACTIV engine, drive and transmission technology.

The diesel models will all feature all-wheel drive and SKYACTIV-Drive automatic transmission. 

Mazda Australia national marketing manager Alastair Doak says there has been "demand for a diesel-automatic combination, particularly in the SUV segment".

Company spokesman Steve Maciver predicts the diesel model will "grab a larger share of the mix than we've seen on our passenger range previously".

"We're not in a position yet to share any further details on petrol fuel economy or on pricing," he says.

"What I can say is that we expect the CX-5 line-up to offer great value across the range and present a very appealing proposition for anyone in the market for an SUV."

Comments on this story

Displaying 3 of 5 comments

  • That's cos you're a gas guzzler.

    gas saver of burgess hill Posted on 17 February 2012 10:48pm

  • Buy a hyundai i30 diesel wagon , 6 spd manual, 4.5 l/100 km , plenty of room , good torque . Most in this category will never go offroad , why pay extra for the pose factor of having it!

    greg holloway of victoria Posted on 12 February 2012 3:07pm

  • Daniel of Burswood - Amen!

    Timbo of mandurah Posted on 09 February 2012 5:23pm

  • Blah blah blah, I would rather pay a couple of bucks more for fuel and drive something decent.

    Gas Guzzler Posted on 09 February 2012 4:06pm

  • It is not all about economy, it is the overall package, pricing, economy, reliability, resale value, safety, enjoyment… Economy and pricing probably being the two main factors. For example if new CX5 uses 5.5 L of diesel per 100 km it means that if you travel 20,000 km a year it uses 1100 l of diesel which will cost you $1584 at 1.44 per litre. If Subaru XV uses 7 L of petrol per 100 km it means that if you travel 20,000 km a year it uses 1400 L of unleaded which will cost you $1904 at 1.36 per litre. Now that is a difference of $320 per year. If New CX5 is 38K on road versus XV 33K on road it means that it will take you over 15 years (that’s right) to make up that difference of 5K. Nissan X Trail, VW Tiguan, Mitsubishi ASX, Hyundai ix35, Renault Koleos, Peugeot 3800 all have diesel auto option but they are really not that popular aren’t they? Andy why? It is the pricing, especially when you take into account higher servicing cost for diesel cars. I read many people say “I can’t wait for diesel version to come out “ but the reality is there are already quite a few compact diesel SUV’s on the market.

    Daniel of Burswood, WA Posted on 09 February 2012 3:09pm
Read all 5 comments

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