Walser Mazda knows that not everyone in the Minneapolis area is prepared to make the switch to hybrid or all-electric driving quite yet. We also understand that many consumers are looking for low fuel-consumption nonetheless. That's why we're delighted that our favorite automaker is offering the best of both worlds with the 2013 Mazda CX-5.

Mazda junkies may remember the company's initial CX-5 fuel-economy predictions back in November of 2011. For those who don't recall, let's just say the automaker had pretty high hopes. Now, three months and an EPA official testing later, we're blown away by the new crossover's actual mpg ratings. Why? They've exceed the automaker's already high expectations.

Thanks in large part to the all-mighty SkyActiv technology, the 2013 Mazda CX-5 boasts a top EPA-approved fuel-economy rating of 35-mpg highway/25-mpg city/29-mpg combined. To put this announcement into perspective, the original estimates were already highly competitive at 2-miles per gallon lower. While this peak rating rings true for the model's 2.0-liter engine when mated to a six-speed manual transmission with front-wheel drive, other CX-5 powertrain combos are only slightly lower. Consumers opting for the new Mazda six-speed automatic will still get 32-mpg highway and city/combined won't change at all. Add all-wheel drive into the vehicle mix and those ratings are taken down by only one notch.

Though most are probably already familiar with SkyActiv, a recent Mazda press release refers to it as, "the brand's breakthrough engineering and manufacturing approach to its next generation of vehicle."¹ We call it a non-hybrid miracle. More specifically, the technology uses an exceptionally high compression ratio to bolster powertrain efficiency without using a hybrid system. Working in tandem with SkyActiv to place the 2013 Mazda CX-5 high on the fuel-economy list is the model's reduced weight. Potentially best-in-class, the crossover SUV comes in at around 3,208-lbs for its base-level offering.

Excited to get your hands on the fuel-efficient CX-5 drive? Walser Mazda is as well. Currently, the model release date is slated for some time this spring. For further information, including pricing options and availability, feel free to contact us online or stop by 14720 Buck Hill Road in Burnsville, MN 55306 in person.

Source: ¹http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/11/2013-mazda-cx-5-achieves-best-in-class-26-35-mpg-epa-rating/