Mazda Atenza

Mazda Atenza: which version to buy

Buy a Mazda Atenza for the numbers, not for a name on the boot. Across four generations the catalogue lists the same badges many times — 2.0 AT, 2.5 AT, 2.2 AT, 2.2 MT — and they are not the same car. The fastest timed car in the set is 8.0 s to 100 km/h (3 generation 2.2 MT FWD Diesel, and 2 generation 2.5 MT Gasoline). The slowest is 11.7 s (2 generation 1.8 MT, 1420 kg).

Buy a Mazda Atenza for the numbers, not for a name on the boot. Across four generations the catalogue lists the same badges many times — 2.0 AT, 2.5 AT, 2.2 AT, 2.2 MT — and they are not the same car. The fastest timed car in the set is 8.0 s to 100 km/h (3 generation 2.2 MT FWD Diesel, and 2 generation 2.5 MT Gasoline). The slowest is 11.7 s (2 generation 1.8 MT, 1420 kg). Peak torque spans 165 Nm to 420 Nm. Ground clearance spans 130 mm to 165 mm. If you want one short rule: for torque and AWD take a 3 generation 2.2 Diesel; for the highest petrol horsepower take a 3 generation 2.5 AT at 188 hp; for a measured fuel figure you must go back to 2 generation or 1 generation, because 3 generation consumption is not measured.

Generations compared: what actually changed

Mazda Atenza has 4 generations in this catalogue. Do not treat “3 generation” as one car: 3 generation (2012-11-01 to 2014-12-31, Sedan, 8 versions) and 3 generation, restyling (2014-01-01 to 2019-07-31, Estate 5-door, 12 versions) share engines and differ in body and in a few tenths of a second.

1 generation (2002-05-01 to 2007-12-31, Liftback) is the only generation with a 2.3 petrol, a 4-speed Automatic on most cars, the only AWD petrol (2.3 AT 175 hp), the lowest clearance (130–145 mm), and tanks of 60 or 64 litres. The catalogue lists 13 modifications for this generation and supplies 12 version rows; the buying comparison below uses those 12.

2 generation (2008-01-01 to 2012-10-31, Liftback, 11 versions) is the only generation with a 1.8 MT, the only generation with a petrol 2.0 MT, and the only generation where city / highway / mixed consumption and top speed are filled in for every version. Clearance is a uniform 165 mm — 5 mm more than 3 generation and 20–35 mm more than most 1 generation cars. The tank is 64 litres on all 11. Gross weight is measured (1850–2020 kg). There is no Diesel and no AWD.

3 generation (Sedan) and 3 generation, restyling (Estate 5-door) share the same three engines: Gasoline 2.0 1997 cm³ 155 hp, Gasoline 2.5 2488 cm³ 188 hp, Diesel 2.2 2188 cm³ 175 hp Turbo. Both are Euro 6. The tank drops to 62 litres (2 litres less than 2 generation). Clearance is 160 mm. Restyling is the only 3 generation body with AWD (2.2 AT and 2.2 MT). 3 generation Sedan is FWD only. Consumption, CO2 and top speed on both 3 generation chapters are not measured.

Engines and specs

Every engine here is 4 cylinders, Inline, 4 valves per cylinder, Front, transverse where position is given (on three 1 generation 2.0 AT / 2.3 AT rows engine position is not measured). Boost is No on every Gasoline row and Turbo on every Diesel row.

Power per litre (hp ÷ displacement in litres): 3 generation Diesel 2.2 is 80.0 hp/l (175 / 2.188). 3 generation 2.0 AT is 77.6 hp/l (155 / 1.997). 3 generation 2.5 AT is 75.6 hp/l (188 / 2.488). 1 generation 2.3 AT 178 hp / 2260 cm³ is 78.8 hp/l. 2 generation 2.0 147 hp / 1999 cm³ is 73.5 hp/l. 2 generation 2.5 MT 170 hp / 2488 cm³ is 68.3 hp/l. 2 generation 1.8 MT 120 hp / 1798 cm³ is 66.7 hp/l — the weakest specific output in the catalogue.

Performance and economy

0–100 km/h is the only performance number that exists on every 3 generation row. Top speed, city, highway, mixed and CO2 on 3 generation and 3 generation, restyling are not measured. Eco class on 2 generation and 1 generation is not measured.

What the extra petrol displacement buys on 3 generation. Restyling 2.5 AT (188 hp, 250 Nm, 1450 kg, 8.7 s) versus restyling 2.0 AT (155 hp, 196 Nm, 1430 kg): +33 hp, +54 Nm, +20 kg, and 1.8 s quicker than the 10.5 s 2.0 AT (2015–2019) or 1.6 s quicker than the 10.3 s 2.0 AT (2014–2019). Specific mass: 2.0 AT is 9.23 kg/hp (1430 / 155); 2.5 AT is 7.71 kg/hp (1450 / 188).

What the Diesel buys versus the 188 hp petrol. Restyling 2.2 Diesel is 13 hp down on 2.5 AT but 170 Nm up (420 vs 250), and peak torque arrives at 2000 rpm versus 3250. Kerb is 1490 kg versus 1450 kg (+40 kg). Specific mass 8.51 kg/hp (1490 / 175) sits between the two petrols. 0–100: restyling 2.2 MT FWD 8.1 s is 0.6 s quicker than 2.5 AT 8.7 s; restyling 2.2 AT FWD (2015) is 8.7 s — the same as 2.5 AT. You are not buying seconds with the automatic Diesel versus 2.5 AT; you are buying 170 Nm.

Manual versus Automatic on the same Diesel. 3 generation Sedan 2.2 MT 8.0 s versus 2.2 AT 8.5 s: Manual is 0.5 s quicker. The other Sedan pair is 8.1 s versus 8.6 s, again 0.5 s. Restyling FWD 2.2 MT 8.1 s versus FWD 2.2 AT 8.7 s (2015) is 0.6 s. Restyling AWD 2.2 MT 8.2 s versus AWD 2.2 AT 8.6 s (2015) is 0.4 s. The 2014 restyling AWD pair is 2.2 MT 8.1 s versus 2.2 AT 8.5 s (0.4 s).

AWD versus FWD on the same Diesel (restyling only). 2015 2.2 MT AWD 8.2 s versus FWD 8.1 s: AWD costs 0.1 s. 2015 2.2 AT AWD 8.6 s versus FWD 8.7 s: AWD is 0.1 s quicker in the table, not slower. 2014 2.2 AT AWD 8.5 s versus FWD 8.6 s: again 0.1 s the other way. Kerb is 1490 kg on all four Diesel pairings — AWD does not add a measured kilogram in this catalogue.

Sedan versus Estate on the same engine. 3 generation 2.5 AT 8.2 s / 8.3 s versus restyling 2.5 AT 8.7 s: the Sedan is 0.4–0.5 s quicker at the same 188 hp and 1450 kg. 3 generation 2.0 AT 10.2 s / 10.4 s versus restyling 10.3 s / 10.5 s: overlap, not a clean body penalty. 3 generation 2.2 MT 8.0 s is 0.1 s quicker than restyling FWD 2.2 MT 8.1 s.

2 generation, where mpg is actually measured. Lightest 1.8 MT (1355 kg) mixes 6.8 l/100 km, city 9.5, highway 5.2, 11.3 s, 200 km/h. Heaviest 1.8 MT (1420 kg) mixes 7.0, city 9.7, highway 5.4, 11.7 s, 194 km/h. Best mixed 2.0 is 2.0 MT at 7.0 (1370 kg, 9.9 s, 214 km/h); worst mixed 2.0 is 2.0 AT at 7.8 (1455 kg, 11.2 s, 198 km/h) — Automatic plus 85 kg costs 0.8 l/100 km mixed and 1.3 s. 2.5 MT mixes 8.1 on both rows (city 11.1, highway 6.3), 8.0 s or 8.3 s, top speed 220 km/h on both — the highest top speed in the whole Atenza set. 2.5 MT uses 1.1–1.3 l/100 km more mixed than the best 2.0 MT and is 1.9–2.3 s quicker than that 2.0 MT.

1 generation, where many cells are empty. Timed 2.3 AT 175 hp FWD is 9.2 s / 180 km/h with mixed 9.1 (city 10.1, highway 8.1) — 2.3 litres more mixed than 2 generation 2.5 MT 8.1, and 1.2 s slower than that 2.5 MT 8.0 s. 2.0 AT 145 hp shows two timed stories: 9.5 s / 170 km/h (mixed 8.6) and 10.9 s / 198 km/h (mixed 8.6). 2.3 MT 178 hp is 10.0 s / 190 km/h on one row; two other 2.3 MT 178 hp rows have 0–100, top speed and consumption not measured. 2.0 AT 150 hp and 2.0 AT 144 hp (fuel 92) have 0–100 not measured on the 150 hp row; 144 hp is 10.5 s / 180 km/h, consumption not measured.

Dimensions and weight

Ground clearance: 1 generation 130 mm (several FWD rows), 135 mm (most remaining FWD), 145 mm on 2.3 AT AWD — the only 1 generation AWD. 2 generation is 165 mm on all 11. 3 generation and restyling are 160 mm on all rows. If clearance is the buying filter, 2 generation is 5 mm above 3 generation and 20–35 mm above 1 generation FWD.

Kerb weight range in the catalogue: 1355 kg (2 generation 1.8 MT and 1 generation 2.0 AT 145 hp, 64 l tank) to 1500 kg (1 generation 2.3 AT AWD). 3 generation petrols sit at 1430 kg (2.0 AT) and 1450 kg (2.5 AT); Diesels at 1490 kg. One 1 generation 2.0 AT 145 hp has kerb not measured.

Gross weight: measured only on 2 generation (1850–2020 kg) and on three 1 generation rows (2.3 AT 178 hp 2000 kg, 2.3 AT AWD 1900 kg, 2.3 MT 178 hp 1800 kg). On every 3 generation row and on most 1 generation rows gross weight is not measured.

Tank: 2 generation 64 l throughout. Restyling and 3 generation 62 l. 1 generation 64 l on the first four rows, 60 l on the last eight. Wheels: Diesel 3 generation 225/55 R17 and 225/45 R19. 2 generation 2.0 rows 215/50 R17 and 225/45 R18, except one 2.0 MT with 215/50 R16 and 225/45 R18. Petrol 3 generation and all 1 generation wheel sizes are not measured.

Brakes and suspension do not split the buying choice: Independent, spring front and rear; Ventilated disc front; rear Disc on 3 generation / restyling. 2 generation and 1 generation suspension and brakes follow the same labels where given.

Which version to choose

If you want the most torque and will accept Diesel. Take 3 generation or restyling 2.2 MT or 2.2 AT. Torque is 420 Nm on every Diesel row — 170 Nm more than 2.5 AT and 255 Nm more than 2.0 AT. Fastest Diesel: 3 generation Sedan 2.2 MT at 8.0 s. If you need Estate 5-door, restyling 2.2 MT FWD 8.1 s (2014 or 2015) matches that within 0.1 s. If you need AWD, only restyling offers it: 2.2 MT AWD 8.1 s (2014–2019) or 8.2 s (2015–2019), 2.2 AT AWD 8.5 s or 8.6 s. Consumption on all of these is not measured, so you cannot pick a Diesel on mpg from this catalogue.

If you want the most petrol horsepower. 3 generation / restyling 2.5 AT at 188 hp is 18 hp above 2 generation 2.5 MT (170 hp) and 10 hp above 1 generation 2.3 178 hp. The Sedan 2.5 AT at 8.2 s / 8.3 s is the petrol to buy for sprint; restyling 2.5 AT is the same engine in Estate 5-door at 8.7 s. 2 generation 2.5 MT still wins top speed (220 km/h, measured) and is the only 2.5 with a mixed figure (8.1 l/100 km).

If you want a measured fuel number. You cannot stay in 3 generation. Lowest mixed in the set is 2 generation 1.8 MT at 6.8 l/100 km (1355 kg, 11.3 s). Next are 2 generation 2.0 MT 7.0 and 7.1. 1 generation best mixed is 2.0 AT 145 hp at 8.6 — 1.8 l/100 km more than the light 1.8 MT. There is no Diesel mpg in the data.

If you want the cheapest-feeling spec on paper (least mass, smallest engine). 2 generation 1.8 MT 120 hp, 5-speed Manual, 1355 kg, 11.3 s, mixed 6.8. It is 68 hp down on 2.5 AT and 255 Nm down on the Diesel. The other two 1.8 MT rows are heavier (1395 kg, 1420 kg) and slower (11.6 s, 11.7 s).

If you need AWD. Only two places: restyling Diesel 2.2 AT / 2.2 MT, or 1 generation 2.3 AT 175 hp / 213 Nm, Automatic 5, 1500 kg, 10.5 s, 180 km/h, clearance 145 mm, tank 60 l, consumption not measured. That 1 generation AWD is 30 hp below restyling Diesel, 207 Nm below it, 2.4 s slower than restyling 2.2 MT AWD 8.1 s, and 10 kg heavier.

If you want 3 generation petrol without Diesel complexity. 2.0 AT 155 hp is the lightest 3 generation car (1430 kg) but the slowest 3 generation car (10.2–10.5 s). 2.5 AT costs 20 kg and returns 33 hp and 1.5–2.3 s. Both use Direct injection (direct) and fuel 95. Both are FWD only.

If you are looking at 1 generation, distinguish the four 2.0 AT and four 2.3 AT by the numbers, not the badge. 2.0 AT: 145 hp / 184 Nm / 1999 cm³ / 95; 150 hp / 182 Nm / 1998 cm³ / 92; 144 hp / 182 Nm / 1998 cm³ / 92. 2.3 AT: 178 hp / 215 Nm / 2260 cm³; 175 hp / 220 Nm / 2261 cm³ FWD; 178 hp / 216 Nm / 2261 cm³; 175 hp / 213 Nm / 2260 cm³ AWD. The 175 hp FWD 2.3 AT is the only 1 generation car with mixed 9.1 and 9.2 s.

Problems and reliability. No fault rates, service intervals or durability scores are in the data; they are not measured. Eco class is Euro 6 on every 3 generation row and not measured earlier. Prices are not in the data.

Arithmetic recap for the buyer. Highest hp: 188 (2.5 AT, 3 generation / restyling). Highest torque: 420 Nm (2.2 Diesel). Fastest 0–100: 8.0 s (3 generation 2.2 MT; 2 generation 2.5 MT). Highest measured top speed: 220 km/h (2 generation 2.5 MT). Lowest mixed: 6.8 l/100 km (2 generation 1.8 MT 1355 kg). Lowest kg/hp among 3 generation: 7.71 (2.5 AT). Only AWD after 2007: restyling 2.2. Only Estate 5-door: 3 generation, restyling. Only generation with full mpg tables: 2 generation.