Sorry I meant RPMs, not idle. These cars get fantastic fuel economy. Even with a turbo CX-5 I still get 21-22 with a very heavy foot and a high amount of city driving. I also have roof rails and the wind deflectors for the sunroof and windows, so that only goes against the fuel mileage.

 

A Rav4 is a very bland car that's not meant to have any kind of performance, hence why it's tuned so run on low RPMs and get good mileage. As @Callisto said it's just not comparable to these cars.

 

Your RAV 2.5 is NOTHING in anyway like your current MAZDA 2.5. In fact, the ECU and transmission ever offered from the RAV is nothing resembling anything used on a current Mazda vehicle. It has as I am trying to explain nothing to do with a "relaxed? engine speed but the total engineering efficiency of the Skyactiv engine.

Not that it is a good comparison, but we all know what a C130 Hercules is, what most don't know is the engine is always at 100% throttle even when taxiing or any flying situation. That is the way the engine was engineered for maximum power and efficiency.

I should also point out that Maximum speeds limits in all states are based on the driving conditions not the sign. So just because it states 70-80MPH does not mean that that is the speed you should be doing?
The aero dynamics are really not engineered or designed into the most production for use daily drivers and speed velocities in excess of 60mph start to balance between the best safe speed with the physical laws of nature.

 

I just looked at the specifications and it seems that a RAV 4 comparing has the same aerodynamic signature as a 1960 VW BUG.....

rolmao joke

 

Thank you all for making me feel better about the rpm. I have a motorcycle that revs much higher than the Mazda lol. I think 60 is like 4000 rpm but the engine redlines at 10000 rpm. I will try not to focus on that when on a long trip.

 

Having ridden sport bikes for the last 25 years 2500-rpm is close to idle and anything under 10,000 is just plain boring...

 

LOL I am glad you posted something... my RG its 13,500 red line ... and idle is a purring 1600. My XT500 the idle is 1200.
Now one of my past BLOWN Camaros the idle speed is a rupity rupity rupity 1200-1400 and that's a smooth idle.

I also think is some check that trying to keep the engine speed low actually will in some cases increase the MPG. Believe it or not the ECU fueling mapping files on a Skyactiv engine ar4e designed for the average driver not someone that is trying to get the best MPG by old school gentleness on the throttle. You can see this if you watch the specifically the ignition timing and CAT temperatures.