Mazda 929: Which Version Should You Buy?
The Mazda 929 version to choose depends on whether you want the lightest early coupe, the strongest performance, or the lowest measured fuel consumption. The data covers four generations from 1972 to 1992, including coupe and sedan bodies.
The Mazda 929 version to choose depends on whether you want the lightest early coupe, the strongest performance, or the lowest measured fuel consumption. The data covers four generations from 1972 to 1992, including coupe and sedan bodies. The first-generation 1.8 MT is the simplest and lightest listed choice at 1,060 kg, while the third-generation 3.0 MT with 170 hp is the quickest, reaching 100 km/h in 8.6 seconds. For a balance of performance and economy, the third-generation 2.2 MT with 127 hp stands out: it reaches 100 km/h in 9.3 seconds and records the lowest measured combined consumption, 8.7 l/100 km.
Mazda 929 generations: what changed?
The first generation, produced from 1972 to 1978, is represented by one Coupe version: the 1.8 MT. Its 1,769 cc Gasoline engine produces 83 hp and 134 Nm, paired with a 4-speed Manual gearbox and RWD. Kerb weight is 1,060 kg, giving approximately 12.8 kg per hp. Acceleration to 100 km/h takes 15.4 seconds; top speed and fuel consumption were not measured.
The first-generation restyling belongs within the same generation and ran from 1978 to 1980 as a Sedan. It introduced two listed versions, 2.0 MT and 2.0 AT, both with a 1,998 cc Gasoline Inline 4-cylinder engine producing 90 hp and 153 Nm. The 2.0 MT uses a 5-speed Manual gearbox and reaches 100 km/h in 14.1 seconds, with a top speed of 165 km/h. The 2.0 AT uses a 3-speed Automatic; its acceleration and top speed were not measured. Kerb weight, gross weight, fuel consumption, tank capacity, and wheel sizes were not measured for either version.
The second generation ran from 1981 to 1987 as a Coupe and contains 12 listed versions. All are named either 2.0 MT or 2.0 AT, so power distinguishes them. Outputs range from 90 to 120 hp, with 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder Inline configurations represented. Manual versions use 5 speeds, automatic versions use 3 speeds, and every listed version is RWD. Among versions with measured acceleration, the 120 hp 2.0 MT is quickest at 9.9 seconds to 100 km/h; the 101 hp 2.0 MT takes 11.4 seconds, and the 90 hp 2.0 MT takes 13.8 seconds.
The third generation, produced from 1987 to 1992 as a Sedan, has 15 versions in the database, with 12 shown in the supplied specifications. It offers 2.0 MT, 2.2 MT, 2.2 AT, 3.0 MT, and 3.0 AT versions, with outputs from 110 to 170 hp. This generation provides the broadest measurable choice: 4-cylinder and V-shaped 6-cylinder engines, Manual and Automatic gearboxes, naturally aspirated and Turbo specifications, and kerb weights from 1,300 to 1,495 kg. Every listed third-generation version is RWD.
Mazda 929 engine specs and transmissions
Repeated names are separated by output so that each specification remains identifiable.
| Generation and exact version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders and layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First generation 1.8 MT | 83 hp | 134 Nm | 1,769 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | not measured | 4-speed Manual | RWD |
| First-generation restyling 2.0 MT, 90 hp | 90 hp | 153 Nm | 1,998 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | RWD |
| First-generation restyling 2.0 AT, 90 hp | 90 hp | 153 Nm | 1,998 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 3-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Second generation 2.0 MT, 90 hp | 90 hp | 153 Nm | 1,998 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | RWD |
| Second generation 2.0 AT, 90 hp | 90 hp | 153 Nm | 1,998 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 3-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Second generation 2.0 MT, 101 hp | 101 hp | not measured | 2,000 cc | Gasoline | 6, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | RWD |
| Second generation 2.0 AT, 101 hp | 101 hp | not measured | 2,000 cc | Gasoline | 6, Inline | No | 3-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Second generation 2.0 MT, 120 hp | 120 hp | not measured | 2,000 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | RWD |
| Second generation 2.0 AT, 120 hp | 120 hp | not measured | 2,000 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 3-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Third generation 2.0 MT, 110 hp | 110 hp | 168 Nm | 1,997 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | Turbo | 5-speed Manual | RWD |
| Third generation 2.0 MT, 145 hp | 145 hp | 231 Nm | 1,997 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | 5-speed Manual | RWD |
| Third generation 2.0 MT, 117 hp | 117 hp | 160 Nm | 1,998 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | RWD |
| Third generation 2.2 MT, 116 hp | 116 hp | 181 Nm | 2,184 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | RWD |
| Third generation 2.2 MT, 127 hp | 127 hp | 188 Nm | 2,184 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | RWD |
| Third generation 2.2 AT, 127 hp | 127 hp | 188 Nm | 2,184 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 3-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Third generation 2.2 MT, 136 hp | 136 hp | 196 Nm | 2,184 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | RWD |
| Third generation 2.2 AT, 136 hp | 136 hp | 196 Nm | 2,184 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Third generation 3.0 AT, 167 hp | 167 hp | 242 Nm | 2,954 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Third generation 3.0 MT, 167 hp | 167 hp | 242 Nm | 2,954 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | 5-speed Manual | RWD |
| Third generation 3.0 MT, 170 hp | 170 hp | 240 Nm | 2,954 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | 5-speed Manual | RWD |
| Third generation 3.0 AT, 170 hp | 170 hp | 240 Nm | 2,954 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
Duplicate second-generation entries retain identical names and specifications in the supplied data. The table consolidates identical specifications, while all 12 database entries are represented by the six specification groups: two entries each for 2.0 MT with 90 hp, 2.0 AT with 90 hp, 2.0 MT with 101 hp, 2.0 AT with 101 hp, 2.0 MT with 120 hp, and 2.0 AT with 120 hp.
Power per litre helps separate engines that otherwise share similar displacement. The second-generation 120 hp 2.0 MT delivers 60 hp per litre, compared with approximately 50.5 hp per litre for the 101 hp 2.0 MT and 45.0 hp per litre for the 90 hp 2.0 MT. In the third generation, the 145 hp 2.0 MT reaches approximately 72.6 hp per litre. The 136 hp 2.2 MT produces approximately 62.3 hp per litre, while the 170 hp 3.0 MT produces approximately 57.5 hp per litre.
Mazda 929 performance and mpg comparison
The quickest measured Mazda 929 in the supplied data is the third-generation 3.0 MT with 170 hp. It accelerates to 100 km/h in 8.6 seconds and reaches 205 km/h. Its measured consumption is 14.1 l/100 km in the city, 8.0 l/100 km on the highway, and 10.1 l/100 km combined.
The third-generation 2.2 MT with 127 hp is 0.7 seconds slower to 100 km/h, recording 9.3 seconds, and its top speed is 181 km/h. Its consumption of 11.4 l/100 km city, 6.9 l/100 km highway, and 8.7 l/100 km combined is lower than the 170 hp 3.0 MT by 2.7, 1.1, and 1.4 l/100 km respectively.
For maximum recorded speed, both the third-generation 3.0 MT with 167 hp and the 3.0 MT with 170 hp reach 205 km/h. Their acceleration differs: 10.2 seconds for the 167 hp version and 8.6 seconds for the 170 hp version. The 167 hp 3.0 MT records 10.7 l/100 km combined, while the 170 hp version records 10.1 l/100 km combined.
The 136 hp 2.2 MT reaches 100 km/h in 9.9 seconds and 190 km/h, with consumption of 11.5 l/100 km city, 7.0 l/100 km highway, and 9.3 l/100 km combined. The matching 2.2 AT with 136 hp has unmeasured acceleration and top speed; its consumption rises to 13.4 l/100 km city, 7.2 l/100 km highway, and 10.1 l/100 km combined.
The unusual third-generation 2.0 MT with 110 hp is the only listed Turbo version. It reaches 100 km/h in 9.7 seconds and 200 km/h, but records 16.0 l/100 km city, 9.1 l/100 km highway, and 12.1 l/100 km combined—the highest measured consumption in all three categories.
Second-generation fuel consumption was not measured for every listed version. Its best measured acceleration belongs to the 120 hp 2.0 MT at 9.9 seconds, followed by the 101 hp 2.0 MT at 11.4 seconds and the 90 hp 2.0 MT at 13.8 seconds. Automatic-version acceleration was not measured.
Mazda 929 dimensions, weight, clearance, and tank
Overall exterior dimensions and wheel sizes were not measured for any supplied version. Ground clearance is 170 mm for the first-generation restyling, every second-generation version, and every third-generation version; clearance for the original first-generation 1.8 MT was not measured.
The first-generation 1.8 MT weighs 1,060 kg. In the second generation, measured kerb weights are 1,135 kg for one 90 hp 2.0 MT, 1,160 kg for one 101 hp 2.0 MT, and 1,220 kg for one 120 hp 2.0 MT. Other second-generation kerb weights and all gross weights were not measured.
Third-generation measured kerb weights span 1,300–1,495 kg. The lightest is the 127 hp 2.2 MT at 1,300 kg, equal to approximately 10.2 kg per hp. The best measured weight-to-power result is the 170 hp 3.0 MT at 1,460 kg, or approximately 8.6 kg per hp. The 167 hp 3.0 MT weighs 1,470 kg, while the 167 hp and 170 hp 3.0 AT versions each weigh 1,495 kg.
Gross weight is 1,940 kg where measured for the 117 hp 2.0 MT, the 116 hp 2.2 MT, the 136 hp 2.2 MT, and the 136 hp 2.2 AT. It is 2,040 kg for the 167 hp 3.0 MT and for the 167 hp and 170 hp 3.0 AT versions. Other gross weights were not measured.
Every third-generation version has a 70-litre fuel tank. Tank capacity was not measured for the first or second generation. Wheel sizes were not measured across all four generations.
Which Mazda 929 version should you choose?
Choose the first-generation 1.8 MT if low measured kerb weight and the earliest Coupe are the priorities. Its 1,060 kg kerb weight is 75 kg below the lightest measured second-generation car and 240 kg below the lightest third-generation car. The trade-off is modest performance: 83 hp and 15.4 seconds to 100 km/h.
Choose the second-generation 2.0 MT with 120 hp if you want a Coupe with the strongest measured performance in that generation. It reaches 100 km/h in 9.9 seconds and 183 km/h, improving on the measured 90 hp 2.0 MT by 3.9 seconds and 13 km/h. Fuel consumption was not measured, so an mpg comparison cannot be made.
Choose the third-generation 2.2 MT with 127 hp for the strongest balance in the available measurements. It is the lightest third-generation version at 1,300 kg, delivers the lowest measured combined consumption at 8.7 l/100 km, and accelerates to 100 km/h in 9.3 seconds. Moving to the 136 hp 2.2 MT adds 9 hp and 8 Nm, but also 35 kg; acceleration becomes 0.6 seconds slower and combined consumption increases by 0.6 l/100 km, although top speed rises by 9 km/h.
Choose the third-generation 3.0 MT with 170 hp for outright acceleration. At 8.6 seconds to 100 km/h, it is 0.7 seconds quicker than the 127 hp 2.2 MT and 1.3 seconds quicker than the 136 hp 2.2 MT. It also reaches 205 km/h, but its 10.1 l/100 km combined consumption is 1.4 l/100 km higher than that of the 127 hp 2.2 MT.
Choose the third-generation 2.2 AT with 136 hp if an Automatic gearbox is essential and measured economy matters. Its combined figure is 10.1 l/100 km, compared with 11.0 l/100 km for the 167 hp 3.0 AT. Acceleration for the 2.2 AT was not measured, however, so the data cannot establish which automatic version is quicker.
Prices, current availability, interior equipment, reliability, engine-swap compatibility, brake-master-cylinder details, and sale listings are not measured in the supplied data. Consequently, the buying recommendation can compare specifications and performance, but it cannot determine condition or value for an individual Mazda 929 offered for sale.