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In this episode, we test out the fuel economy in the all new 2017 Mazda6. Redesigned just in the past 3 years, the Mazda6 has already gone through a mid-cycle refresh featuring a revised front and rear appearance.

Our tester was equipped with a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and a 6-speed manual transmission. Our test yielded 336 km on a half tank of gas and gave a decent average fuel economy of 8.3L/100km.

After using up a half tank of gas, we were able to fill it back up for $32.51 at a fuel cost of $1.04/litre. At that rate, expect to spend around $65 for a full tank of gas.

REAL WORLD TEST RESULTS

Tested fuel range: 336 km on a half tank

Tested fuel range: 673 km on a full tank

Fuel economy: 8.3L/100km

Fuel economy (mpg): 28.3mpg

REAL WORLD FILL UP COSTS

CAD $65 @ $1.04/litre

AS-TESTED VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS

2.5-litre 4-cylinder (DOHC)

6-speed Manual

184 hp @ 5,700rpm

185 lb-ft @ 3,250rpm

Front-wheel drive

Mazda Canada Inc. today introduced the 2017 Mazda6, gaining further premium refinements and continuing to redefine the notion that one need not compromise driving pleasure for practicality and efficiency.

Long regarded as one of the best-handling, most engaging vehicles in its segment, Mazda6 once again raises the bar with Mazda's first application of the all-new G-Vectoring Control (GVC) in North America. GVC is the first in a series of new SKYACTIV-VEHICLE DYNAMICS technologies that provide integrated control of the engine, transmission, chassis and body to enhance the car's Jinba Ittai—"horse and rider as one"—feel.

GVC benefits drivers with more precise control of their vehicles, which its engineers have designed to help reduce the need for steering corrections, leading to greater confidence and control both in day-to-day and spirited driving.

But engineers didn't stop there. Their desire to seek constantly higher goals led them to bestow Mazda6 with greatly enhanced sound insulation. Using improved door seals, tighter tolerance between panels, thicker front glass, and sound insulation materials added to the underbody, rear console, headliner, and doors, the aim for Mazda6 was to outclass common midsize-segment cars with its attractive design and establish a unique "Mazda Premium" positioning.

For 2017, entry-level Mazda6 GX models now come equipped with a wide-angle rearview camera, redesigned steering wheel, redesigned seatback pockets, and redesigned side mirror turn signals.

Mid-trim GS models gain standard with navigation system, Smart City Brake Support with increased detection distance and expanded detection angle, heated steering wheel, and Advanced Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) with enhanced range.

2017 Mazda6 GT model enhancements include a new full-colour Active Driving heads-up display, 4.6-inch full-colour TFT multi-information display (MID), and Traffic Sign Recognition.

Lane-Keep Assist has also made its way into the 2017 Mazda6 in the GT Technology Package, joining other safety technologies such as Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC), Smart Brake Support (SBS), Forward Obstruction Warning (FOW), Distance Recognition Support System (DRSS), Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS), and High Beam Control System (HBC), in addition to SiriusXM™ Satellite Radio, i-ELOOP Regenerative Braking System, and Active air shutters.

With the top-of-the-line GT Premium Package, the 2017 Mazda6 also receives numerous interior appointments, including Nappa leather seating surfaces with contrast-colour piping, a black headliner, traditional Japanese chidori stitching on the steering wheel similar to what can be found in CX-9 Signature models, and a satin chrome plated finish to switches and trim throughout the interior.

These enhancements join a long list of upgrades made to the previous year's Mazda6, which included a completely redesigned interior, a new front fascia when equipped with full LED headlights in certain models, an LED-backlit "signature wing" grille, seven-inch Mazda Connect touchscreen display with Commander control knob, white LED interior lighting, electronic parking brake, and a Sport Mode drive selection switch in models equipped with automatic transmissions.

In Canada, Mazda6 continues to be one of the few midsize sedans offered with an available manual transmission for discerning enthusiasts. All Canadian models are powered by a 184-horsepower, 2.5-liter SKYACTIV-G engine.

The 2017 Mazda6 is available in Canada starting in mid August with a starting price of $24,695.

In this episode, we test out the fuel economy in the all new 2016 Mazda3. Redesigned just two years back the Mazda3 has traded its cheerful design for a sporty aggressive appearance.

Our tester was equipped with a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, which is more powerful and less efficient compared to the base 2.0-liter engine. Our test yielded 274 km on a half tank of gas and gave a decent average fuel economy of 9.9L/100km.

After using up a half tank of gas, we were able to fill it back up for $28.95 at a fuel cost of $1.01/litre. At that rate, expect to spend around $58 for a full tank of gas.

REAL WORLD TEST RESULTS

Tested fuel range: 274 km on a half tank

Tested fuel range: 548km on a full tank

Fuel economy: 9.9L/100km

Fuel economy (mpg): 23mpg

REAL WORLD FILL UP COSTS

CAD $58 @ $1.01/litre

AS-TESTED VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS

2.5-litre 4-cylinder (DOHC)

6-speed Manual

184 hp @ 5,700rpm

185 lb-ft @ 3,250rpm

Front-wheel drive

The 2016 Chevrolet Volt and 2016 Mazda CX-3 have been named Automobile Journalist Association of Canada's (AJAC) Canadian Green Car and Canadian Green Utility Vehicle of the Year.

The award announcements took place during the opening ceremonies at the 2016 Vancouver International Auto Show. For 2016, AJAC added a utility category to separate its sedans from CUVs/SUVs.

The other finalists for the awards were the Honda Civic and Hyundai Sonata Hybrid for the car category, while the Honda HR-V and the Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) fell short in the utility grouping.

The Chevrolet Volt has an increased EV range of 85 km (up from 61 km) using its new 18.4 kWh lithium-ion battery. Fuel economy numbers have reduced to a combined 5.6L/100 km with help from a reduction in its generator and cell design's weight.

The Mazda CX-3 was also the winner of AJAC's Canadian Car of the Year. It's 146-hp 2.0-litre four-cylinder SkyActiv engine improves not only the CX-3's performance, but also achieves a fuel economy rating of 8.8L/100 km in the city and 7.3L/100 km on the highway.

The Canadian Green Car and Utility Vehicle candidates were evaluated last October during AJAC's “TestFest” event by over 70 AJAC journalists. A separate round of voting was held for the ten classified green entries, and those votes were compiled on top of the regular testing results in order to determine the Canadian Green Vehicle winners.

For the fourth year in a row, the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) has chosen a Japanese automaker as the Canadian Car of the Year winner.

For 2016, the highly popular Honda Civic sedan takes home top honours for the second time in its history over four worthy German competitors in the Volkswagen Golf Sportwagon, Volkswagen Golf R, Mercedes-AMG C63 S and the Mercedes-AMG GT S.

For Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year, it was the Mazda CX-3 winning the day. It was the third time Mazda won an overall AJAC award, but the first time in the Utility category. The CX-3 beat out the Volvo XC90, Kia Sorento and Chevrolet Silverado for the award.

The all-new 2016 Honda Civic, currently the Canadian car sales champ for 18 consecutive years was built from the ground up on a new platform for its tenth-generation. It's wider, longer and sits lower to the ground for a sportier, athletic stance. The cabin has added some premium touches and added technology, while the drive is more peaceful and quiet with minimal road noise.

Mazda's Kodo “Soul of Motion” works masterfully on the brand new CX-3 compact crossover. Under the hood, it receives a 146-hp 2.0-litre inline four engine that doesn't seem like much, but it handles like a champ in front-wheel or all-wheel drive. Its combination of looks and excellent fuel economy helped the CX-3 stand out from the crowd.

Voting for the award took place last fall in Bowmanville, Ontario as 71 AJAC journalists from across Canada came to Canadian Tire Motorsport Park to evaluate a total of 41 eligible vehicles. 22 of those vehicles would be slotted in car categories with the winner of each category becoming eligible for the grand car of the year prize, while 19 of them were slotted for Utility Vehicle of the Year.

The testing for each category is conducted via back-to-back car comparisons on regular roads with some of those more performance-based vehicles hitting the track for extra evaluation.

A detailed scoring system is utilized in order to calculate the vote. There are 21 separate evaluation parameters that include acceleration, braking, handling, styling and ride comfort in order to determine a category winner. Once those winners have been named, the accounting firm of KPMG look to the separate ballot scores that were marked for the Canadian Car and Utility Vehicle of the Year. These categories include: occupant environment, performance, vehicle dynamics, price/value, market significance and emotional appeal.

Los Angeles, CA – Mazda Motor Corporation today revealed the all-new Mazda CX-9 at the Los Angeles Auto Show. A three-row midsized crossover SUV featuring the latest SKYACTIV technology and KODO—Soul of Motion design, the all-new CX-9 is a high-end model of Mazda's new-generation line-up. The model has been tailored for the North American market, which is expected to account for 80 percent of global sales forecast at 50,000 units annually. Sales launches start from North America in spring 2016.

With the all-new CX-9, Mazda is proposing a new kind of a crossover SUV aimed at more mature families. Offering an indulgent experience of quality and comfort, the model goes beyond specs and functionality to support and enhance every aspect of customers' busy and multi-faceted lives—not just their role as a parent. The latest in KODO design portrays a more premium image and the all-new CX-9 offers quieter, more refined Jinba-ittai driving with superb fuel economy performance. Designed to meet the needs of the modern family, the model offers a comfortable and well-thought-out cabin space, i-ACTIVSENSE advanced safety features and the i-ACTIV AWD all-wheel-drive system. It is the first model to feature Mazda's new 2.5-litre direct-injection turbocharged gasoline engine, SKYACTIV-G 2.5T.

"Introducing the all-new CX-9 into the midsize SUV segment will strengthen our new-generation line-up, and we expect a big boost and sustained growth in North America," said Masamichi Kogai, Representative Director, President and CEO of Mazda. "Moving forward, Mazda will continue working to advance our entire product line-up, raise the appeal of the Mazda brand and build a strong emotional bond with customers."

Back in January, the Mazda2 made its reveal at the 2015 Montreal International Auto Show. But only a few months later, the debut of the Mazda2 was postponed in order for Mazda to focus its attention on the new releases of the CX-3 crossover compact and MX-5 roadster.

Now, according to a press release from Mazda Canada, it will no longer be postponed, but dropped completely from the Canadian market.

“The opportunity for success in the subcompact segment is rapidly shrinking as the segment has lost considerable share of the market this year,” Mazda Canada said in a statement to the press. “This decision will allow Mazda Canada to focus our resources on the biggest growth opportunity, which is our CX line of crossovers, including the CX-3, CX-5 and an all-new CX-9 which will debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show on November 18, 2015.”

In its second-generation and fourth globally, the Mazda2 was set to be a big player in the small subcompact segment. It was to get the full Kodo – Soul of Motion and Skyactiv technology treatment, as found on the latest newer models from the Japanese outfit.

Perhaps, if that styling does well in other global markets, Canada might see the Mazda2 in the forseeable future.