Mazda's New Engines Will Test Whether Buyers Can Still Stomach a 'Car'

Showroom visitors in June continued carrying Mazda in a positive sales direction, even as those same buyers continue to shy away from the brand’s car portfolio. Hold on — that’s not necessarily correct.

On a year-to-date basis, all of Mazda’s passenger cars sit in the red, but the sensuously styled Mazda 6 sedan, fresh from yet another, um, refresh (this one designed to push the model upmarket a bit) barely qualifies. Since the massaged 2018 model went on sale in April, year-over-year sales increases in that month, May, and June mean the model now posts only a 0.9 percent YTD sales decrease. Almost back in the black, for this year, anyways.

Despite it outward appearance staying nearly the same, the 2018 refresh brought a long-awaited turbocharged engine to the Mazda 6 line. As well, there’s upgraded powerplants destined for the two remaining cars in Mazda’s barn. Nothing sweetens the pot like extra power.

Perhaps the addition of an available turbo 2.5-liter making 227 horsepower (250 with 93 octane) and 310 lb-ft of torque explains some of the Mazda 6’s 35.8 percent June sales gain. After all, this was a model that was dropping fast, year after year, as buyers fled the midsize sedan segment. Or maybe it was the premium interior features (Nappa leather, real wood trim) that sealed the deal.

Regardless, any sign of buoyancy is a cause for celebration at Mazda HQ.

As the 6 enjoyed some newfound wind in its sales, the compact 3’s sales fell 16.1 percent, year over year. Over the first half of 2018, 3 sales have fallen 11.3 percent. The MX-5 Miata isn’t making headway, either, with June sales down 23.3 percent, year over year, and year-to-date sales down a full third (33.6 percent).

For 2019, however, Miata buyers gain added punch from the two-seater’s naturally aspirated 2.0-liter. The newly rev-happy motor’s horsepower grows from 155 to 181 ponies, with torque seeing a slight boost from 148 to 151 lb-ft. Whether or not this tips the scales in some buyers’ minds remains to be seen. The only real competition in its price range is Fiat’s MX-5-based 124 Spider, and there’s already not many takers for that.

The Mazda 3 is a different story, as buyers currently enjoy two gasoline four-cylinders and two bodystyles that each seat five passengers. That’s enough versatility to ensure its place in the brand’s stable, though not necessarily on shopping lists. Yet another engine upgrade could be the key to a sales rebound. For 2019, Mazda’s new 2.0-liter Skyactiv-X four-cylinder makes its debut beneath the revamped model’s hood, promising greatly increased fuel efficiency and torque from a gasoline engine that’s mainly sparkless.

As no other automaker offers such an engine, Mazda stands to gain serious bragging rights in the low-cost, non-hybrid, non-diesel field. Depending on the final MPG figures, as well as early reliability, the automaker could attract buyers who weren’t initially thinking of an ICE-only vehicle.

Overall Mazda sales say a 15.9 percent sales increase in June, with sales over the first half of 2018 rising 14.2 percent. The brand’s utility vehicle line takes all the credit for that latter figure, with sales of the CX-3, CX-5, and CX-9 up a collective 35.4 percent, year to date.

[Images: Mazda]