I did test drive my 24 CX-5 before I bought it and it is not a deal breaker for me but the engine seems to rev high on the expressway. I have the N/A engine and 70mph is almost 2500 rpm. That is way higher than our 17 Rav4 2.5. I am unsure why Mazda chose its gear ratios but its uncomfortable for me. Any help would be appreciated.

 

Normal RPM at 70 mph is 2500 so you are right where you should be.

1. Base Engine (2.5-liter Inline-Four):
   
   • This engine produces 187 horsepower and 185 lb-ft of torque.
   • When cruising at 70 mph, the normal RPM for this base engine would be around 2500 RPM.
   • Fuel economy for this engine is rated at 24 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway

 

Thx for the reply. Any way to change the final drive ratio to make cruising more relaxed?

 

You don't even notice the RPMs when crusing at those speeds. Even going 100 MPH on the highway the other day behind a cop, the RPMs were fine. Another example is with my previous 2013 Acura RDX. That thing would cruise at 2300-2500 RPMS when going highway speeds and it has a bigger motor than the Mazda CX-5. If the RPMs were lower while maintaining the same performance than that would be nice, but it's nothing to worry about on these engines as they are nearly bulletproof.

 

Not worried about hurting the engine. If the revs were lower you would get better fuel economy too. What does the idle have to do with anything?

 

NO! At least cost prohibitive. I would guess a project like that correctly done about 15K-25k+
The complete engineered design of the running gear includes specific ECU/TCM programing and a specialized transmission and deferential gearing.

 

Fred you cant compare a RAV4 to your new Mazda.
I do understand the RPM concern because of your time period when you started to drive vehicles. Not an insult only an understanding that those vehicles 2500 would be revving an engine high. The RPM range of engine since the 1980 effected more or less their ability to meet EPA standards. The engines got smaller and the power curve of engine was moved high up in the engine speeds. gearing to reduce the RPM often placed a vehicle like some infamous Toyotas 4x4 that are complete DOGS unless you rev the engine and then they just fall apart. LOL
Maybe watch you instant MPG more instead of your RPM/Tachometer? You will not only be distracted from the RPM but you can tailor your driving habits and improve your MPG!

 

I am a bit confused as to his complaint. Is it because the higher revs add more interior noise, or because he feels MPG's were left on the table? I am actually surprised his 17 RAV-4 ran at a lower RPM with less power and also having a 6-sp auto.

 

Was not enough to simply state not to compare a RAV4 to a new Skyactiv MAZDA? lol

Go look at his member information... At times before responding on a thread that is more or less directed towards a member in any capacity looking at the threads a member post in and also the content as well the information about the members helps to understand possibly where the responses, questions and comments are based from?
Example IMHO it seems rather obvious to me that you never drove or rode in a RAV4. LOL
I have one right now in the shops waiting on a few hundred dollars in parts. what a POS they all are. We get several in the shop all year around.


Ok and hear we go as usual........ LOL

 

My wife’s rav4 turns 2000 rpm at 70 which feels and sounds relaxed. The engine size is the same also at 2.5. With higher revs comes more noise, engine wear, and decreased fuel consumption. I just don’t understand how the engineers decide on the final drive ratio? They could have made the engine more relaxed on the highway given our speed limits.