√Mazda’s next hybrid still not up to Toyota efficiency

A senior Mazda engineer has revealed the company’s next hybrid system will still be limited to lower speeds and only marginal fuel economy gains.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 is unlikely to rival the efficiency of Toyota’s industry-leading hybrid technology when it goes on sale in local showrooms later this year.

A senior Mazda engineer has confirmed the new Mazda SUV’s hybrid system will only function at low speeds, which is expected to deliver minimal real-world fuel economy savings.

Due this August, the new Mazda CX-90 will have a choice of two turbocharged in-line six-cylinder petrol or diesel engines – both paired to eight-speed multi-clutch automatic transmissions and aided by 48-volt “mild” hybrid technology.

In an interview with Australian media, Mazda engineer and CX-90 program manager Mitsuru Wakiie said the mild-hybrid system does not work at more than 10km/h, providing only a small amount of assistance to the large SUV’s petrol and diesel engines in stop-start driving situations.

“The mild-hybrid system will work when the vehicle is running at a very, very low speed,” Wakiie-san said through a translator.

“When the vehicle starts to run up to about 10 kilometres per hour, that’s where (the CX-90) gets mild-hybrid assistance.”

In comparison, Toyota hybrid systems can move a car from rest to about 40km/h on electric power alone, before the petrol engine takes over. Because this part of the acceleration cycle is usually the thirstiest aspect of commuter driving, the Toyota hybrid technology typically halves fuel use of equivalent petrol-only vehicles.

However, other so-called hybrid systems from Mazda and Subaru and others have, to date, lacked the same fuel savings.

The new Mazda hybrid tech was hoped to deliver big fuel savings but it now appears that may not be the case.

As is common with mild-hybrid systems, the Mazda CX-90 has a small electric motor mounted inside its gearbox which provides assistance to the engine – though it can not directly power the wheels.

Toyota’s ‘closed-loop’ hybrid systems – such as those found in the Kluger SUV – allows the engine and electric motor to work in tandem to power the wheels, often operating at higher speeds and slashing fuel consumption.

Mazda claims the petrol-powered CX-90 consumes 8.2 litres per 100 kilometres on a combined test cycle, while the more efficient diesel’s figures are reduced to 5.4 litres per 100 kilometres.

The hybrid Kluger – which is powered by a 2.5-litre petrol engine and a ‘closed-loop’ hybrid system – has a claimed combined fuel consumption of 5.6L/100km, about 30 per cent less than Mazda’s petrol-powered CX-90, despite a starting price difference of almost $17,000 in the Toyota’s favour.

The Mazda CX-90 diesel variants offer a 0.2L/100km – or 3.5 per cent – fuel saving compared to the Kluger, though Mazda’s least expensive diesel-powered grade is more than $18,000 dearer than the equivalent Toyota.

Mazda has previously announced the CX-50 – a smaller SUV which isn’t coming to Australia – is set to gain a closed-loop hybrid system, expected to be developed by Toyota.

It won’t be the first time Mazda has leaned on Toyota for assistance with its hybrid vehicles.

In December 2021, the Mazda 2 Hybrid was revealed for Europe as a rebadged Toyota Yaris, using its fellow Japanese car-maker’s extensive knowledge of the systems.

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