2013 Mazda CX-5 Gets 35 MPG Highway Rating

Mazda won’t be showing off any new models at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, but it has some very big news nonetheless. Back when we drove the 2013 Mazda CX-5 back in November, Mazda had announced expected fuel economy of up to 33 miles per gallon, but the sporty compact crossover received its official ratings today and it tops out at 35 mpg giving the best-in-class fuel economy.

This rating will be for the front-wheel drive CX-5 equipped with the Skyactiv-MT six-speed manual transmission, and the city cycle will be rated at 26 mpg and a 29-mpg rating for combined driving. Opting for the Skyactiv-Drive six-speed automatic transmission, fuel economy ratings are still an impressive 26 mpg city, 32 mpg highway and 29 mpg combined. Finally, the all-wheel drive CX-5 models (only offered with the automatic transmission) will be rated at 25 mpg city, 31 mpg highway and 28 mpg combined. For comparison, the new Honda CR-V is rated up to 31 mpg on the highway, while the next closest model to the Mazda is the Chevrolet Equinox with its 32-mpg rating.

All CX-5 models are powered by the same Skyactiv-G 2.0-liter inline-four producing 155 horsepower and 150 lb-ft of torque. Along with this efficient, new engine, Mazda has also incorporated a chassis that it stiffer and lighter giving the CX-5 a curb weight of 3,208 for the base model which is about 100 pounds lighter than the CR-V and Rogue.

Although the CX-5 doesn’t go on sale for a few more months, this is just more news that will make Mazda’s latest model even more competitive in one of the busiest segments in the U.S. Pricing still hasn’t been announced for the new CX-5, but expect it to be priced competitively in the segment and possibly closer to the Kia Sportage – an equally sporty and stylish CUV with one of the lowest prices in this class starting at $18,500.

The 2013 Mazda CX-5 was recently named the Autobytel 2012 Crossover of the Year.