Mazda Xedos 9: generations compared: what the restyling actually changed

The catalogue lists two entries, not two separate generations: 1 generation (1993-09-01 to 2000-07-31) and 1 generation, restyling (2000-08-01 to 2002-09-30). Each has six named versions: 2.0 MT, 2.0 AT, 2.3 MT, 2.3 AT, 2.5 MT, 2.5 AT.

The catalogue lists two entries, not two separate generations: 1 generation (1993-09-01 to 2000-07-31) and 1 generation, restyling (2000-08-01 to 2002-09-30). Each has six named versions: 2.0 MT, 2.0 AT, 2.3 MT, 2.3 AT, 2.5 MT, 2.5 AT.

Arithmetic on the given figures, restyling versus 1 generation:

Ground clearance is 140 mm on most versions. The exceptions at 120 mm are 2.0 AT in both periods and 1 generation 2.3 MT. Wheel size is not measured on any version.

Engines and specs

All twelve versions: Gasoline, 95, 6, V-shaped, 4 valves per cylinder, Distributed injection (multi-point), FWD. Manual versions are 5; Automatic versions are 4.

Version (period)hp / kWNmcm³BoostGearboxDrive
2.0 MT 1 generation, restyling143 / 1051761995NoManual 5FWD
2.0 AT 1 generation, restyling143 / 1051761995NoAutomatic 4FWD
2.3 MT 1 generation, restyling211 / 1552902255CompressorManual 5FWD
2.3 AT 1 generation, restyling211 / 1552902255CompressorAutomatic 4FWD
2.5 MT 1 generation, restyling170 / 1252122497NoManual 5FWD
2.5 AT 1 generation, restyling170 / 1252122497NoAutomatic 4FWD
2.0 MT 1 generation143 / 1051761995NoManual 5FWD
2.0 AT 1 generation143 / 1051761995NoAutomatic 4FWD
2.3 AT 1 generation211 / 1552902255CompressorAutomatic 4FWD
2.3 MT 1 generation211 / 1552902255NoManual 5FWD
2.5 MT 1 generation167 / 1232122497NoManual 5FWD
2.5 AT 1 generation167 / 1232122497NoAutomatic 4FWD

Power per litre (hp ÷ litres from the listed cm³): 2.0 MT / 2.0 AT 143 ÷ 1.995 ≈ 71.7 hp/L; restyling 2.3 MT / 2.3 AT and 1 generation 2.3 AT 211 ÷ 2.255 ≈ 93.6 hp/L; restyling 2.5 MT / 2.5 AT 170 ÷ 2.497 ≈ 68.1 hp/L; 1 generation 2.5 MT / 2.5 AT 167 ÷ 2.497 ≈ 66.9 hp/L. The 2.3 Compressor pair is the densest engine in the catalogue; the naturally aspirated 2.5 is the least dense even though it is the largest.

Compression: 2.0 MT 10; 2.0 AT 9.5 (both periods); 2.3 MT / 2.3 AT 10; 2.5 MT / 2.5 AT 9.2. Bore × stroke: 2.0 78 × 69.6; 2.3 80.3 × 74.2; 2.5 84.5 × 74.2.

Engine location: Front, transverse on restyling 2.0 MT, 2.0 AT, 2.3 MT, 2.3 AT, 2.5 MT, 2.5 AT and on 1 generation 2.0 MT, 2.3 AT, 2.5 MT, 2.5 AT. 1 generation 2.0 AT is Central. 1 generation 2.3 MT engine location is not measured.

Performance and economy

Measured 0–100 km/h and top speed:

Not measured 0–100 and top speed: restyling 2.0 AT, 1 generation 2.0 AT, 1 generation 2.3 MT.

Restyling 2.3 MT and restyling 2.3 AT share 9.4 s and 230 km/h: the 4 Automatic does not change the listed sprint versus the 5 Manual on that engine. Restyling 2.5 MT and restyling 2.5 AT likewise share 10.7 s and 202 km/h. On 1 generation the 2.5 split: 2.5 MT 8.6 s / 220 km/h versus 2.5 AT 10.7 s / 202 km/h — +2.1 s and −18 km/h for the Automatic.

City, highway and combined consumption are not measured on all twelve versions. CO2 is not measured. Eco class is not measured.

Dimensions and weight

Kerb / gross / clearance / tank:

kg per hp where kerb is measured: restyling 2.0 MT 1415 ÷ 143 ≈ 9.9 kg/hp; restyling 2.3 MT / 2.3 AT and 1 generation 2.3 AT 1500 ÷ 211 ≈ 7.1 kg/hp; restyling 2.5 MT / 2.5 AT 1415 ÷ 170 ≈ 8.3 kg/hp; 1 generation 2.5 MT / 2.5 AT 1415 ÷ 167 ≈ 8.5 kg/hp; 1 generation 2.0 MT 1415 ÷ 143 ≈ 9.9 kg/hp.

Payload from listed masses: 1940 − 1415 = 525 kg on the 2.0/2.5 cars with both figures; 1985 − 1500 = 485 kg on the 2.3 cars with both figures. Wheel sizes are not measured. Suspension is Independent, spring front and rear on every version.

Which version to choose

There is no price in the data, so “what you get extra” is only displacement, power, mass, tank, brakes and the measured sprint.

If the target is the lowest kg/hp and the highest top speed: restyling 2.3 MT or restyling 2.3 AT (or 1 generation 2.3 AT if the earlier tank of 60 L is acceptable). 211 hp, 290 Nm, 93.6 hp/L, 7.1 kg/hp, 9.4 s, 230 km/h. Versus restyling 2.0 MT that is +68 hp, +114 Nm, +85 kg kerb, +0.8 s to 100 (9.4 versus 8.6), +10 km/h top speed. The 2.3 is heavier and 0.8 s slower to 100 than the restyling 2.0 Manual, but 68 hp stronger and 10 km/h faster at the top. Restyling 2.3 MT and 2.3 AT match on every measured performance and mass figure; pick Manual 5 versus Automatic 4, not a different engine.

If the target is the fastest 2.0: restyling 2.0 MT only — 8.6 s, 220 km/h, 1415 kg, Ventilated disc, 68 L, Front, transverse, compression 10. Do not treat 1 generation 2.0 MT as the same car: same 143 hp and 1415 kg, but 10.7 s and 202 km/h, Disc front, 60 L. Restyling 2.0 AT and 1 generation 2.0 AT leave 0–100, top speed and kerb not measured; both sit at 120 mm clearance (20 mm lower than the 140 mm 2.0 MT). 1 generation 2.0 AT is also the only version with engine location Central.

If the target is a 2.5 without a compressor: 1 generation 2.5 MT is the one with a measured 8.6 s and 220 km/h at 167 hp. Restyling 2.5 MT and restyling 2.5 AT add 3 hp (170) and the 68 L tank plus Ventilated disc, but the listed sprint is 10.7 s and 202 km/h — the same as 1 generation 2.5 AT and 1 generation 2.0 MT. So the later 2.5 does not buy a quicker catalogue time. Torque is 212 Nm on all four 2.5 versions.

If the target is 1 generation 2.3 MT: treat it as a different row from restyling 2.3 MT. Same 211 hp and 290 Nm and 2255 cm³, but boost No, 0–100 not measured, top speed not measured, kerb not measured, engine location not measured, clearance 120 mm, tank 60 L, front Disc. 1 generation 2.3 AT is the 2.3 in that period with a full measured set (Compressor, 9.4 s, 230 km/h, 1500 kg, 140 mm).

If the target is range between fills: restyling, any of the six names — 68 L versus 60 L. Consumption is not measured, so litres per 100 km cannot be turned into kilometres of range.

If the target is the lightest kerb among measured cars: 1415 kg on restyling 2.0 MT, restyling 2.5 MT, restyling 2.5 AT, 1 generation 2.0 MT, 1 generation 2.5 MT, 1 generation 2.5 AT. The 2.3 cars that publish kerb are 1500 kg.

Problems and reliability: the data do not list faults, service intervals or failure rates. Those items are not measured here.

Short map: restyling 2.0 MT for the 8.6 s 2.0; 1 generation 2.5 MT for the 8.6 s 2.5; restyling 2.3 MT or restyling 2.3 AT (or 1 generation 2.3 AT) for 211 hp and 230 km/h; skip using 2.0 AT (either period) and 1 generation 2.3 MT as performance picks because 0–100 and top speed are not measured.