1st Place – Mazda6 Grand Touring

Fast Facts:

1. PRICE AS TESTED: $31,490
2. ENGINE: 2.5L 4-cylinder, 184 hp, 185 lb-ft
3. TRANSMISSION: 6-speed automatic
4. OBSERVED FUEL ECONOMY: 29.4 MPG
5. TRUNK CAPACITY: 14.8 cu-ft

As a brand, Mazda is miniscule compared to every other automaker in this comparison. The manufacturer is in a constant battle against a sea of Goliaths, but this time, the little guy came out on top. So what makes the Mazda6 so good?

Well, first of all, it’s gorgeous. The 19-inch wheels, front grille, curvy wheel haunches and tinted taillights make the 2014 Mazda6 look upscale and sporty. The interior is equally appealing with a simple, elegant design that again feels upscale and premium compared to a lot of the competition.

The front seats may very well be the best of the bunch and the steering wheel feels great. The Mazda6 is the only car available here with adaptive cruise control, yet did not have navigation; navigation is a standalone item that needs to be purchased on top of any trim level. Between the front seats is a knob and dial control that mimics similar systems found in BMWs and Mercedes. The only downside inside the Mazda6 is a somewhat tight backseat.

Under the hood is an all-new 2.5L four-cylinder engine that produces 184 hp. The engine is plenty powerful, but the six-speed automatic transmission requires a heavy foot to downshift into a lower gear when more power is required. Otherwise, the transmission glides along and is one of the best units here. Steering feel is superb and, like a good Mazda, the 6 handles phenomenally for family sedan.

Some may want a larger vehicle, or a sportier one, but from a purely practical standpoint, a mid-size sedan has you covered. Need to haul more people or larger items? A local rent-a-car counter will gladly lend out a minivan or a pickup truck for a small fee; much smaller than the penalty of buying (and fueling) one of these large vehicles that are called upon on a handful of times.

Spacious, efficient and practical, mid-size sedans are designed for mass appeal and consumers are responding. After full-size pickup trucks, the four bestselling vehicles in America are mid-size sedans. This is why every mainstream manufacturer spends a lot of time and effort attempting to create an appealing car for the segment. And the work shows as it is hard to label any mid-size sedan on sale today as a ‘poor’; in fact, the majority are great. That said, is it possible for a new offering to stand apart from the crowd?

L.A Mazda would like to think so. Recently engrossed in a #GameChanger hashtag party, Mazda believes its new 2014 Mazda6 will revolutionize the mid-size segment. The automotive press has been gushing over this all-new vehicle since it arrived earlier this year, and AutoGuide is just another guilty party.

Original source: http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2013/07/2013-2014-mid-size-sedan-comparison-toyota-camry-vs-honda-accord-vs-mazda6-vs-hyundai-sonata-vs-nissan-altima-vs-vw-passat-vs-subaru-legacy-vs-kia-optima.html/5

New 2014 Mazda CX-5

The Automotive Revolution Continues: Mazda CX-5

The CX-5 story starts 11 years ago when Mazda set out on a new mission: To discover new possibilities in automotive engineering and create a new vehicle that achieves exceptional fuel economy without giving up an ounce of the signature Mazda design, technological touch points and connected to the road performance. SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY is the result of more than a decade of ground up innovation built on a whole new engineering philosophy.

2014 Mazda CX-5 Interior

Mazda CX-5 Interior

The Mazda CX-5 crossover is the first full expression of this idea - an idea rooted in balance and harmony. All essential components, including engine, transmission, body and chassis, are engineered to work together seamlessly for exceptional and optimal performance. That's why the 2014 CX-5 offers you top-of-class fuel economy. Without ever compromising the pure exhilaration of a vehicle you love to drive.

Not Only Can You Have It All, You Can Now Bring It All With You.

Lots of Cargo in the Mazda CX-5

Even more room, this is Incredible

Taking a Trip to the Mountains?

Transporting gear? Or navigating errands with family in tow? With an extra wide lift-gate, a lower load height and up to 1,835 L of cargo space, the CX-5's 6-/40 split folding rear seatback (GX model) is ready to take on your day - whatever kind of day you're having. Or opt for the GS and GT Models with an ingenious 40/20/40-split system. You'll get a roomy 1,852 L and handy remote access levers that make loading extra-long cargo like skis a snap - while leaving room for up to four passengers. This is cargo space that multi-tasks right along with you. This is cargo space for real life.

2014 Mazda CX-5 Performance

Specifications	GX	GS/GT
Engine type	SKYACTIV-G 2.0L DOHC	SKYACTIV-G 2.5L DOHC
Displacement	1,998 cc	2,488 cc
Compression Ratio	13:0:1	13:0:1
Horse Power	155 @ 6.000 rpm	184 @ 5,700 rpm
Torque	150 @ 4.000 rpm	185 @ 4,000 rpm (AWD)
Fuel Economy	36/50 MPG (7.8L City 6.1L Hwy)	34/46 MPG (8.3L City 6.2L Hwy)

Either way you look at it the New Mazda CX-5 boast some of the best features in a SUV on the market. So if you are looking for a new suv in the Edmonton Area make L.A. Mazda one of your stops as we have the best prices and the best selection on all new Mazda CX-5's.

Here are some great links to get started:

• Search All New Mazda Cars Edmonton Area
• Search All Used Mazda Cars Edmonton Area
• Get Pre-Approved for any Mazda vehicle
• Service your Mazda vehicle

2013 Mazda CX-5 For Sale in Edmonton

Reasons to Consider the CX-5:

1. So what the heck is this SkyActiv technology? Put simply, it's a series of engineering refinements that target excess weight and waste in the chassis and powertrain. Imagine that Mazda took a blueprint of the CX-5 and then handed it to a bunch of folks wearing white lab-coats and racing shoes. The result is a 5-passenger crossover that returns up to 35-mpg on the highway and feels as light and nimble as a family sedan. Job well done Mazda – but can we please now add an E to the end of SkyActiv?
2. The CX-5 looks great without sacrificing cabin and cargo room for the sake of a sexy roofline or some stylish tail-end treatment. With the rear seats in place there is 34.1 cubic feet of space out back – fold the rear seats down and cargo space swells to 64.8 cu. ft.
3. At the moment, the only available engine is a 163-bhp 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine. However, you have your choice of front or all-wheel-drive, and 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission. The fuel economy champ is the front-wheel-drive and manual gearbox combo, though the (FWD) automatic still returns an impressive 26/32-mpg average during city and highway driving.
4. Mazda didn't get too cutesy with the cabin. Okay, there is a ton of black plastic. But it's all solid and good quality stuff, especially the chunky and well-sculpted 3-spoke steering wheel. Adults won't feel trapped in the spacious back seat – and kids will feel much less lame being dropped off at school in the CX-5 versus any minivan.

 We've always admired the Mazda’s penchant for instilling driving fun in everything from its 2-passenger Miata roadster to the family-friendly CX-9 sport-utility. What has usually been lacking throughout the range is class-leading fuel mileage – Mazda always seems to fall a few MPGs short of the competition. But thanks to its repertoire of SkyActiv technologies, the new CX-5 jumps to the head of the class in terms of fuel economy while maintaining the brand's fun-to-drive characteristics. It also helps that the CX-5 is exceedingly handsome, nimble, and roomy inside.

For a full view of pictures and pricing visit us on the web at http://www.lamazda.ca/mazda-cx-5-edmonton/