Consumption ‘revolutionary’ engine tracked by users
In 2019, Mazda introduced the new 3. Under the high-profile coach, an equally high-profile engine debuted: the SkyActiv-X 180. It would combine the driving pleasure and relatively clean exhaust gases of a petrol engine with the consumption of a diesel. That makes us curious: what does this engine consume in practice? The AutoWeek Consumption Monitor provides insight.
At its introduction, the upgrade from a 120 hp SkyActiv-G to a 180 hp SkyActiv-X was quite affordable at €995. In the Consumption Monitor, twelve of the seventeen new Mazdas 3 are equipped with this technology. After an update in 2021, both engines were examined and equipped with mild hybrid technology. With the regular SkyActiv G engine, the power remained unchanged at 122 hp, the SkyActiv-X gained 6 hp.
Consumption Mazda 3 SkyActiv-X 180
To get straight to the point: the average fuel consumption of these twelve SkyActiv X drivers is 1 in 15.6 (6.5 l/100 km). What is striking is the large spread. The most economical driver scores a neat 1 in 18.1, while the least economical driver scores exactly 1 in 13. Both tracked consumption over a distance of more than 12,000 kilometers. However, it took the economical driver half a year longer.
Whether the mild hybrid technology reduces consumption cannot be said on the basis of these data. We don’t have enough data for that. The two cars equipped with this system do not show significantly higher or lower consumption values.
Consumption SkyActiv-G 122
If we look at the six traditional SkyActiv-G 122 engines in the Consumption Monitor, we see an average consumption of 1 in 17. In this area, the ‘old-fashioned’ engine beats its revolutionary counterpart. Although, mate? The SkyActiv-G does deliver almost 60 hp more power. A striking feature of the SkyActiv-G compared to the SkyActiv-G is the smaller spread of consumption values, which varies from 1 to 15.8 (6.3 l/100 km) to 1 to 18.1 (5.5 l/100 km). 100km).
It seems that the SkyActiv-X, like a downsize turbo engine, is best suited to an adapted driving style, while the naturally aspirated engine is easier to drive economically. That translates into a pretty favorable practice average. If you look at the outcome of the SkyActiv-X positively, the Mazda 3 with this engine is relatively economical for the power it delivers. After all, drivers of a Ford Focus 1.5 EcoBoost, a three-cylinder turbo with 150 or 182 hp, drive an average of 1 to 14.1 (7.2 l/100 km).
.
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl