Mazda3 Hybrid: More Toyota than Mazda?

"Michael Woyahn" (michaelwoyahn) 01/13/2016 at 14:05 • Filed to: None

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Recently, a video showing off Mazda’s all wheel drive system popped up as a suggested video on my YouTube homepage. Interestingly enough, a Mazda2 was shown scampering up a snowy hill spinning all four wheels. This made me curious about what other odd options Mazdas get in Japan, one of which is a hybrid system.

I made this discovery after I hopped onto the GooNet Exchange, !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! When I was trying to find the all wheel drive Demio, a renamed Mazda2, I noticed the Axela Hybrid tab. It’s important to note that the Axela is just the Mazda3 with a different name for Japan. Anyway, when I first saw this option, I figured that the Axela Hybrid was from the Ford era at Mazda, and it was borrowing Ford’s hybrid technology.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Upon further inspection, I couldn’t be more wrong. The Axela is the newest generation of the Mazda3. The fully SkyActiv and Kodo-y one. I was shocked that this thing existed because Mazda has been dead set on developing gasoline and diesel engines. A lot of the hype surrounding SkyActiv engines has been around their fuel economy and their lack of hybrid systems.

Most of the mystery faded away when I looked at an interior picture and saw a familiar shifter. Toyota. As it turns out, Mazda has had licensing to Toyota’s hybrid powertrain !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , so this shouldn’t have been a surprise to me. However, their partnership hasn’t affected the U.S. until recently with the Scion iA, and it didn’t affect Japan until 2013 when the Axela Hybrid came out.

Now, after looking at the specs, the Mazda hybrid seems like a bit of a bust. The Prius has way more cargo space since the Axela is just a sedan, and it has a huge battery pack sucking up trunk space. This creates another challenge by eliminating the Axela’s ability to fold the backseats down and open up the trunk to the interior of the car. Also not helping the Mazda’s case is the fact that the similarly equipped Prius manages to get 87.2 mpg in Japan’s efficiency testing. The Axela only gets 73.5 mpg. But there’s more to these cars than meets the eye.

First of all, the new Prius came out in Japan in December of last year. The Mazda was released two years earlier and is based off of older hybrid technology. Keep in mind, the Mazda was not designed with the intentions of being a hybrid, unlike the Prius, which is built from the ground up to be an electrified, green, inflated praying mantis, I mean machine.

Now, the real differences between the two start with the pricing. The Mazda’s base price is the equivalent of $20,240. The base Prius in the land of GTR’s is $20,710. For this price, the Prius comes with no armrest, a plastic steering wheel, single zone climate control, and not even a radio is standard. Yes, you read that right. If you would like the luxury of listening to something other than CVT whine, you have to pay an extra $230 for their base audio system. If you don’t spring for the radio, Toyota even charges you $11 to get a plastic cover to hide the gaping whole left in the dashboard where the radio would be if you weren’t so cheap.

The Mazda, on the other hand, comes with way more standard features. It has the Mazda Connect infotainment system and their seven-inch touchscreen, a leather wrapped shifter and steering wheel, an armrest, and dual zone climate control.

Mazda didn’t cheapen out when it came to the drivetrain, either. Keep in mind, Mazda is a smaller company so it is impressive that they put their own resources into developing the Axela’s hybrid system. They could have just shoved Toyota’s four cylinder hybrid combination into the 3, but Mazda actually spent time making Toyota’s parts unique for their car. Ahem Scion iA. Mazda spent time getting their SkyActiv 2.0 liter engine to work with Toyota’s CVT and electric motor.

By using their own SkyActive engine, they are able to get a combined 134 HP and 152 ft lbs of torque out of the drivetrain. The Prius can only pump out a combined 99 hp and 102 ft lbs of torque. This means that the Mazda gets 14 less miles per gallon than the Toyota in a body not designed to be a hybrid in the first place, and with an engine that is two tenths of a liter bigger, has 35 more horsepower, and has an extra 100 pounds to lug around.

Now, you might be surprised to hear that Mazda uses a CVT in a seemingly anti-Mazda move. Every other SkyActiv car uses a conventional automatic that’s modified to be more efficient and drive better. But don’t be scared, Mazda spent a lot of time making sure the CVT doesn’t wreck the experience. Here’s what the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , which is somewhat poorly translated, states:

A transaxle splits output from the SKYACTIV-G into drive power and generator power. In doing so, it transfers the most effective combination of output from the petrol engine and electric motor. The result: seamless, linear acceleration.

So, if I’m interpreting this correctly, when the engine’s power isn’t being used to its full potential, a portion of the power goes to recharging the batteries. If the driver smashes the gas pedal into the carpet, the electric motor kicks in to help propel the car until the engine winds up to the best power-producing revs. Mazda also tuned the engine sound to match the engine speed and acceleration of the car. This way, the driver doesn’t have to deal with the sound of a screaming engine and no acceleration, which can be common with a lot of CVTs. Mazda didn’t forget about the brakes, either. They are still regenerative, but Mazda made sure they operate linearly, while maintaining the Toyota efficiency.

Obviously, I have not driven this car so I cannot definitively say whether the Axela Hybrid maintains Mazda’s zoom-zoom nature while being part Toyota. The system only adds about 100 pounds to the curb weight of the base Mazda3 sedan, so that’s a good start. However, the Australian website !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! found that Mazda’s refinements were successful.

The only Toyota-esque characteristics were the shifter, which I think Mazda made look better, the silent starts with the electric motor, and the EV mode. The brakes feel like a normal car, the acceleration is seamless when the engine takes over for the electric motor, and the steering still has the communication Mazda’s should have. So the Mazda Axela Hybrid, with some help from Toyota, drives better, looks better, and is more carlike than Toyota’s own bestselling hybrid. Mazda is just one SkyActiv breakthrough away from being more fuel efficient than the Prius, and beating Toyota at their own game.

Photo credits to Motor1, Electrical Cars, TFL Car, Automobile Catalog, Toyota, and AutoBlog, and CarScoops

spanfucker retire bitch > Michael Woyahn 01/13/2016 at 14:20

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Mazda is just one SkyActiv breakthrough away from being more fuel efficient than the Prius, and beating Toyota at their own game.

Don’t be so sure about that. Toyota has been enamored with Mazda’s engine advancement that they recently signed a broad cross-licensing agreement, wherein Mazda gets more of Toyota’s hybrid tech and Toyota gets access to Mazda’s engine tech.

itschrome > Michael Woyahn 01/13/2016 at 14:26

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Dude, I want an AWD Mazda 2..

magus-21 > Michael Woyahn 01/13/2016 at 14:28

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*sigh*

I was hoping this was an electric motor driving the rear wheels.

StalePhish > Michael Woyahn 01/13/2016 at 14:30

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Is this a gigantic blank panel? Man, having an unlabeled fake blank switch tucked somewhere behind the steering wheel where your fog lights would be is one thing, but THAT is just horrible!

neverwander > itschrome 01/13/2016 at 14:30

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Same here. The Mazda3 is a fantastic car, but just out of my price range. Really wish we got the Mazda2 here in the states...

itschrome > neverwander 01/13/2016 at 14:31

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well you can buy a mazda 2, just not one with AWD.

nope just checked mazda’s website.. i could have sworn we could buy mazda 2's.. did they sell them and then stop? I’m confused

Michael Woyahn > spanfucker retire bitch 01/13/2016 at 14:31

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Hmm, I did not know about that. It figures that Toyota probably wouldn’t want to be beaten by a little company. Interesting!

Gary Yogurt > StalePhish 01/13/2016 at 14:34

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I’m guessing (ok, hoping) it’s a plastic cover for a display. The NA Miata had an optional beast of a radio that had an available and equally bizarre cover.

Michael Woyahn > StalePhish 01/13/2016 at 14:35

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Yup! That’s what Toyota provides if the owners don’t pay extra to get a radio. They even charge you $11 for the blank panel, otherwise it’s just a hole.

Ratchet when he's all hopped up on synthetic energon > Michael Woyahn 01/13/2016 at 14:36

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I’m confused. Is this about a hybrid Mazda2/3 or an AWD one? I’m not seeing a propshaft in that cutaway, is this a gas-powered-front, electric-powered-rear AWD setup? Is this a hybrid FWD-only? Hybrid FWD-derived AWD?

neverwander > itschrome 01/13/2016 at 14:36

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They stopped after the last generation. The closest thing we have is the Scion iA, which is completely disgusting because 1) It’s a Scion and 2) It’s a fugly ass sedan, which I dislike with a passion. Need that hatchback goodness.

spanfucker retire bitch > Michael Woyahn 01/13/2016 at 14:37

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http://www.autonews.com/article/201505…

I still think it’s incredible how a company as tiny as Mazda made Toyota take notice and go; “Holy shit, how are you doing that with your engines?”

SOCdriver > itschrome 01/13/2016 at 14:39

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If I could get an AWD Mazda2 I would do it.

DisappiontIam > itschrome 01/13/2016 at 14:40

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Isn’t the CX-3 an AWD, raised Mazda2? Well, what the next generation Mazda2 is based on?

foxbody > Michael Woyahn 01/13/2016 at 14:42

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Is there a dumber, more meaningless name out there than ‘skyactiv?’

ahelmus > DisappiontIam 01/13/2016 at 14:44

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Came here to comment on same.

Michael Woyahn > Ratchet when he's all hopped up on synthetic energon 01/13/2016 at 14:45

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This piece is about the hybrid Mazda3, which is actually just front wheel drive only. It would be much cooler if it used the electric motor to power the rear wheels, though!

The reason why I mentioned the all wheel drive Mazda2 is because I thought that having AWD in that car was weird, so it got me looking into the other options Mazda’s have in Japan.

Schnabeltier > itschrome 01/13/2016 at 14:46

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I want any Mazda 2. The new one is great looking, but the damn thing is only sold as the horrific iA in sedan form.

CleverBS > itschrome 01/13/2016 at 14:46

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I want an AWD Mazdaspeed 3.

Keith Moon > Michael Woyahn 01/13/2016 at 14:50

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Toyota now sells a Mazda and a Subaru badged as Scion in the US. I like that direction for now.

Boxer_4 > StalePhish 01/13/2016 at 14:51

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That’s fairly common in Japanese market cars. I believe they charge extra for the radio.

Knox Viue > itschrome 01/13/2016 at 14:53

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You can buy one in Japan

http://www.mazda.co.jp/cars/demio/gra…

AMGWTFBBQ > neverwander 01/13/2016 at 14:53

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We do! or we did at least. I remember trying like hell to sell that snot green little tyke but nobody wanted it because it was too small.

Michael Woyahn > Keith Moon 01/13/2016 at 14:55

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Me too! I find it funny that Toyota has to turn to other manufacturers to make cars that are fun to drive.

i_say_uuhhh > Michael Woyahn 01/13/2016 at 14:55

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Dear Mazda, if reading this. Please bring this and maybe a CX-5 Hybrid to the states.

Sincerely,

Isaiah.

anthony.caminitti > SOCdriver 01/13/2016 at 14:55

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You can, kind of. The CX-3 rides on the global Mazda2 platform and is available with AWD. Using the Scion iA (Mazda2 sedan elsewhere in the world that can still have nice things) as a comparison, the CX-3 is 2.9" wider, 2.2" higher, and 3.4" shorter than its counterpart; all riding on the same wheel base. Weight goes up approximately 500 lbs. and fuel efficiency is a still respectable 27 city/32 highway mpg.

Michael Woyahn > i_say_uuhhh 01/13/2016 at 14:58

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A CX-5 that used the gas engine to power the front wheels and an electric motor to power the rear wheels for all wheel drive would be pretty slick.

AlphonzeMephesto > DisappiontIam 01/13/2016 at 15:01

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Yep! The CX-3 is just a lifted 2!

neverwander > AMGWTFBBQ 01/13/2016 at 15:07

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That was the last gen, which wasn’t much in the looks department. The new one is gorgeous, and with the way that the Chevy Sonic and Honda Fit have been selling, I feel like there is more of a market for it now.

me > Michael Woyahn 01/13/2016 at 15:10

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Why would anyone actually buy a cover like that? I’d take the hole to be honest; I’d probably put a bookcase in it:

Meh > Michael Woyahn 01/13/2016 at 15:11

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What Mazda really needs is a new Mazdaspeed 3 or 6. Even a Mazdaspeed2. They have no performance other than the Miata right now.

Meh > Keith Moon 01/13/2016 at 15:15

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They sell a Subaru as a Scion.

They sell a Mazda as a Scion.

They are (were?) working with BMW on a new car.

I think they had something with GM again too. I know they used to sell the Cavalier in Japan as the Toyota Cavalier.

Toyota’s own in-house cars seem to be rather dull. I think they are just saving money by outsourcing their designs and development to other makers.

BlueSoap > me 01/13/2016 at 15:17

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I was thinking the same thing,minus the book shelf.

Scaggnetti > CleverBS 01/13/2016 at 15:17

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Mazdaspeed 6 too please.

Dylan > Michael Woyahn 01/13/2016 at 15:23

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To, too, two

MikeofLA > Michael Woyahn 01/13/2016 at 15:31

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Where’s the AWD Mazda3!? With the Mazda CX9's turbo motor?

Aremmes > itschrome 01/13/2016 at 15:37

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The CX-3 is as close to a Mazda2 that we’ll get in USA with a Mazda badge instead of a Scion badge, and it comes with AWD optional.

itschrome > Aremmes 01/13/2016 at 15:40

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No thank you. Not interested in that at all .

gin-san - shitpost specialist > itschrome 01/13/2016 at 16:02

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I was really interested when that was mentioned; looks like we’re limited to the iA or getting a CX-3. I suppose you could always lower the CX-3...

It sucks because the CX-3 starts a few grand above the Mazda 3 (looking at base prices) whereas if we had the regular Demio/2 in a non-crossover look it would have to be price below the Mazda 3. It's unfortunate.

curbwatching > Michael Woyahn 01/13/2016 at 16:02

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I’ll pay extra for radio delete if it means I don’t have to have that stupid tack-on screen jutting up out of the dash.

Syscrush > itschrome 01/13/2016 at 16:06

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I’m with you there! I want that a hell of a lot more than I want a ruined 3.

Chris's driveway looks like a World War II Loser's reunion. > Michael Woyahn 01/13/2016 at 16:15

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Nice. Now if we could only get them to stuff a stick in there a la the CR-Z and put a pumpkin out back. . .

torque > MikeofLA 01/13/2016 at 16:18

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Where’s the AWD Mazda3? right here :-)

I’d love to see a Mazda2 AWD for sale in US market or an AWD Mazda3 wagon (stick of course) too

Captain_Spadaro > Michael Woyahn 01/13/2016 at 16:20

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Yeah...this can stay in Japan.

Captain_Spadaro > MikeofLA 01/13/2016 at 16:21

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Coming, supposedly, though AWD may or may not be part of it.

Captain_Spadaro > spanfucker retire bitch 01/13/2016 at 16:22

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I’d like to see what Mazda could do with Toyota’s D-4S system.

MikeofLA > torque 01/13/2016 at 16:43

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Isn’t that a Mazda 2?

torque > MikeofLA 01/13/2016 at 16:57

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yep, sorry, I was thinking about Mazda’s history, back in the 80's they came out with the OG (for mazda) small awd turbo hatch the 323 GTX b/c they had to make X # of prod. cars as part of Rally regulations

IMO the Mazda2 WRC car is the successor to their orig. 323 Rally car from the 80s, just as in public market I think the Mazda 2 is really the successor to the Mazda 323 b/c it’s the same basic size/shape and fills the same mission as their most basic econo. car offering, even though Mazda claims the Mazda 3 is the successor to the 323, the 3 has grown too much (just like the all the other long term cars still using the same name... I’m looking at you Civic, Accord, Jetta, Passat, Corolla, Camry, etc...)

“I’d love to see a Mazda2 AWD for sale in US market or an AWD Mazda3 wagon (stick of course) too” - still true :)

MikeofLA > torque 01/13/2016 at 17:03

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Didn’t the Protege take over for the 323, and then that was replaced by the 3? My best friend in high school had a Protege MP3 and I currently have a Gen3 Mazda3, based on my memory, they are still pretty similar in size... unless you saying only pre 90's 323s matter, and in that case the Civic, Accord, Camry, Corolla, 626, Taurus, 2002/318t, etc,etc,etc have all suffered bloat over the years.

Side note, I did find this V8 powered Mazda3/Axela... I can’t tell if it’s RWD though...

RidgeR5 > Michael Woyahn 01/13/2016 at 17:21

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Banana basket

Khalbali > Michael Woyahn 01/13/2016 at 17:47

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Mazdas current skyactiv suite was always meant to be a stepping stone towards hybrids, they just wanted to refine the ICE before adding hybrid tech unlike most other manufacturers that rushed towards hybridization.

Jacob Brown > i_say_uuhhh 01/13/2016 at 17:54

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The fun thing about working for Mazda is that we’re all car enthusiasts, too. And a good number of us read Jalopnik.

torque > MikeofLA 01/13/2016 at 19:09

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda_Fam…

so turns out we were both right 323 & Protege are the same damn car :)

damn it all to hell, you made me break out wikipedia and wow, I didn’t realize the 323 / Protege had so much history, with the OG dating back to flipping 1963! Sweet looking racing machine above btw.

Seems like the more time went on (especially after the 3rd generation) this car got more and more names

According to wikipedia, the 323 that I was thinking of (“5th generation BF” made from 1985 - 1989 and apparently made from 1986 - 2004 in Brazil) they called all of them the “323" regardless if it was a hatchback, sedan or a wagon.

Apparently they started calling this car the “323" with the 3rd generation (made from 1977 - 1980 (“holy short model year span Batman”)), though again regardless if it was a hatchback, sedan or a wagon

They started calling the sedan form the “Protege” apparently in the US Market only, for the “6th Generation BG” made from 1989 - 1996, while the hatch version was still called the 323 & doesn’t appear to be any wagon version this time

7th version (1994 - 1998) both US and Australian market called the sedan version “Protege”

Then with the 8th version (1998 - 2003) shit gets all fucked up b/c the Australian version calls the sedan the “323 Protege” and the Japanese Version (4 door hatch) is called the “Familia” or “Familia Sport 20" = US version Mazdaspeed Protege (4 door hatch version) & sedan version in US is “Protege”.

2004 “Mazda3" takes over as the new name

There are a bunch of other names and variations for varios markets not mentioned above too.

And I now know (jeesh) way more about the 323 / Protege than I ever thought I would

drkmethos > Michael Woyahn 01/13/2016 at 19:35

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I really like my current mazda3, and if they ever put out a hybrid version I’d be really tempted to get one.

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > StalePhish 01/13/2016 at 19:49

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The JDM Toyota Voltz (Pontiac vibe) had same sub Panel.

Wacko > MikeofLA 01/13/2016 at 21:02

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You missed it, it’s already rusted away.

Uncle Bals > Michael Woyahn 01/13/2016 at 21:31

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This is hilarious

Phillip Weston > Michael Woyahn 01/13/2016 at 22:33

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In Japan it’s common for just about all mainstream models to have an AWD version especially for the regions where it snows frequently.

Michael Woyahn > Phillip Weston 01/13/2016 at 22:36

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Interesting. I kind of wish that was the case here.

Xazzaphonic (previously known as Vicarious-Chair) > curbwatching 01/13/2016 at 23:48

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There’s a slim option if you want analog radio

bhtooefr > Michael Woyahn 01/14/2016 at 04:56

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Although, the Mazda2's platform needed to support AWD anyway, because of the CX-3.

And, there’s weirder AWD systems lurking in Japan - Nissan’s got an electric AWD system that uses a big-ass generator on the engine, claiming it’s more efficient than two bevel gears and the packaging penalties of a driveshaft between the front and rear.

bhtooefr > Michael Woyahn 01/14/2016 at 05:20

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As far as I’m aware, this is using the exact same gearbox as the Gen 3 Prius, so the best comparison would be with that.

Looks like the Gen 3 Prius got 32.6 km/l on the JC08 test, per Wikipedia , and the Axela Hybrid gets 30.8 km/l - not as good, but not as drastic as the Gen 4 Prius’s fuel economy - 34.0 km/l in the electric AWD(!) model, 37.2 km/l in the standard models, and 40.8 km/l in the E trim (I believe that’s the US Two Eco trim).

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Michael Woyahn 01/14/2016 at 07:48

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I <3 U Mazda!

Funktheduck > curbwatching 01/14/2016 at 08:40

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Only on the most base models is the non screen available. Even the regular radio sticks up out of that spot but it’s only a couple inches high vs the screen.

I have this screen in my car. It looks dumb and awkward in pictures but I never have an issue with it or have had anyone say anything about it except “does it turn so it can face you?” It doesn't turn unfortunately. It's not obtrusive and helps keep my eyes on the road if I need to glance at it for any reason.

Stef Schrader > Xazzaphonic (previously known as Vicarious-Chair) 01/14/2016 at 09:13

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Analog radio is great! I, too, am a hater of screen tombstones. Kill ‘em all with fire.

The Powershift in Steve's '12 Ford Focus killed it's TCM (under warranty!) > Michael Woyahn 01/14/2016 at 09:14

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You laugh now, but this JDM-tyte radio delete plate will be collectible one day.

Stef Schrader > Michael Woyahn 01/14/2016 at 09:16

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As long as their fix for the CVT doesn’t involve hokey fake “gears” programmed in that ruin the purpose of a CVT, the CVT could be decent.

A CVT that’s allowed to be a CVT has a similar kind of correlation between revs and acceleration you’d get within gears on a manual—not some mystery robot on acid deciding you need to upshift when you don’t. Only instead of running out of revs on acceleration and having to upshift, a good CVT just kind of pegs the revs where you want them to stay, which is nice if you’re accelerating and just want the little stinker to stay in its powerband. I rather like mine over a regular slushbox, but then again, there are some butt turrible CVTs out there.

tl;dr—don’t screw this up, Mazda.

Funktheduck > Meh 01/14/2016 at 10:53

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From a business standpoint: not really. You’ll draw in a little sales but with the ST’s and the upcoming RS, the GTI, etc there’s stiff competition and it's a niche market. Mazda needs sales and revenue. Hybrid 3s, CX-5s, etc will bring in more money that can eventually lead to money for fun cars.

Funktheduck > drkmethos 01/14/2016 at 10:53

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Mine gets great gas mileage. A hybrid would only be better.

MikeofLA > torque 01/14/2016 at 10:56

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Don’t forget, it’s also now called the Axela in China and Japan ;)

Thanks for the history, that was actually really interesting to read.

curbwatching > Xazzaphonic (previously known as Vicarious-Chair) 01/14/2016 at 11:04

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For the Mazda3? I was asking the dealer if there was any way to get a 3 without the phablet jammed onto the top of the dash, and they said there wasn’t.

Xazzaphonic (previously known as Vicarious-Chair) > curbwatching 01/14/2016 at 11:44

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They want more money from you, lol. It’s still not built in, but not quite a phablet.

SilverBRADo totaled his beigeslushboxmatrix > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 01/14/2016 at 12:06

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It looks so weird to see a mirror image of (almost) my car.

Michael Woyahn > bhtooefr 01/14/2016 at 12:21

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I didn’t know that the Prius got an all wheel drive model in Japan. That’s pretty cool! Thanks for the info about the trim levels, I was actually pretty confused by them on the website. Google translate wasn’t too much of a help either.

I was going to initially compare the earlier Prius, but I went the easier route and compared the newest Prius since information was more readily available for it.

Michael Woyahn > Stef Schrader 01/14/2016 at 12:26

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From the looks of this 0-100 km/h video, it seems like Mazda didn’t program fake gears. That’s a good sign!

curbwatching > Xazzaphonic (previously known as Vicarious-Chair) 01/14/2016 at 12:54

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That’s not horrible. I could probably deal with it.

SP23 > CleverBS 01/14/2016 at 13:50

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There’s an AWD Mazda3 in Japan. It’s just not Speed-ized...yet.

http://www.mazda.co.jp/cars/axela/fea…

SP23 > MikeofLA 01/14/2016 at 13:51

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The AWD Mazda3 is in Japan. Waiting.

http://www.mazda.co.jp/cars/axela/fea…

SP23 > Michael Woyahn 01/14/2016 at 13:54

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DAMN YOU JAPAN

http://www.mazda.co.jp/cars/axela/fea…

CleverBS > SP23 01/14/2016 at 14:13

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I know. But I don’t live in Japan.

bhtooefr > Michael Woyahn 01/14/2016 at 14:28

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I am completely incapable of reading Japanese, but was sufficiently able to stumble around Mazda and Toyota’s Japanese sites without Google Translate.

(Protip: Japanese sites often use English instead of Japanese in URLs (although it’s often strange English), which helps when mousing over links you don’t understand, because the URL tells you what it is.)

MikeofLA > SP23 01/14/2016 at 14:32

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SP23 > CleverBS 01/14/2016 at 15:17

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We must find a way to get it over here.

CleverBS > SP23 01/14/2016 at 15:48

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I think the problem is that the Mazda3 is already on the high end of the C-segment with pricing, and adding AWD to that only makes it worse... especially considering none of the competitors offer it.

SP23 > CleverBS 01/14/2016 at 16:36

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That’s true. The GT can get up to $32,478 if you tick all the boxes. If we base the AWD price on the CX-3 ($2,000 option), then that would bring it up to $34,478.

The top level Subaru Impreza (before heading into WRX territory) is $33,611.

axiomatik > Michael Woyahn 01/15/2016 at 09:43

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I am constantly surprised by how people don’t understand CVTs and hybrid technology on this site. Yes, they typically aren’t interesting to drive, but the technology is interesting. Of course the Mazda3 Hybrid uses a CVT, because the CVT is absolutely central to how the Toyota Synergy Hybrid drivetrain works. Also, it is important to note the differences between this CVT and “traditional” CVTs like Nissan uses.

“Traditional” CVTs use a belt/pulley system, where a belt/chain is wrapped around a pair of pulleys that can change in diameter. Changing the diameters adjusts the gear ratio. See image below:

Toyota’s Synergy drivetrain also uses a CVT, but it is not a belt/pulley system, rather it is a planetary gear system. This is necessary because it allows the system to blend power from multiple sources and output it to the wheels. (GMs Voltec uses a similar planetary gearbox, though the combinations of inputs/outputs are different because of its primary EV purpose). See below:

Michael Woyahn > axiomatik 01/15/2016 at 11:43

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That is really interesting. Thanks for the info!

Raphael Orlove > Michael Woyahn 01/15/2016 at 15:36

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Holy shit! Can you link me to where it shows you can go with a radio delete (or just screencap it)?

Michael Woyahn > Raphael Orlove 01/15/2016 at 17:49

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If you follow this link http://toyota.jp/prius/interior… , you can see all of the head unit options, and some dash cams, interestingly. The radio cover is at the bottom of the list.

Here’s one car on the Goo Net Exchange that doesn’t even have a cover for it, but I’m not totally sure if there are speakers in the car or not: http://www.goo-net-exchange.com/usedcars/TOYOT…

Also, it’s pretty entertaining to look at the other weird options the Prius gets in Japan, so I figured I might as well link these option packages, too: http://toyota.jp/prius/customiz…