What is Mazda Skyactiv?

Most of these technologies are aimed at improving the car's performance without sacrificing driver appeal.

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What are Mazda Skyactiv technologies?

Most of Mazda's Skyactiv technology is focused on its engines, which use a range of clever strategies to reduce fuel consumption without impacting performance. These include Skyactiv-G petrol engines, Skyactiv-D diesel engines and Skyactiv-X petrols with novel spark-controlled compression ignition (SPCCI).

Skyactiv doesn't just apply to engines, however. It also refers to the company's approach to developing other parts such as gearboxes or chassis. In every case, it seeks to reduce a part's weight or improve its efficiency, making incremental gains across the car that add up collectively.

What does Mazda Skyactiv mean?

Mazda says the goal of Skyactiv is to deliver 'driving pleasure as well as outstanding environmental and safety performance'. Reportedly, the name itself comes from the phrase "the sky's the limit", reflecting the tech's lofty goals.

Types of Mazda Skyactiv engines

The most common types of Skyactiv engine are:

• Skyactiv G – these are Mazda's petrol engines, with the 'G' standing for gasoline. They use an ultra-high compression ratio for better fuel economy. Newer versions are badged e-Skyactiv G and use mild-hybrid technology to further improve efficiency.
• Skyactiv D – this is Mazda's name for its diesel engines. These achieve excellent fuel-economy figures thanks to their remarkably low compression ratio, which mixes air and fuel more effectively and means the engine can be lighter than a conventional diesel.
• e-Skyactiv X – these are petrol engines that use clever spark-controlled compression ignition. This means the air-fuel mixture is (mostly) ignited by heat in the cylinder rather than directly by the spark plug. The result is a remarkable blend of power and efficiency for the engine's size.
• e-Skyactiv R-EV – available in the MX-30, this is basically a full EV with a modest 17.8kWh battery pack. It also includes an on-board petrol rotary range extender that recharges the battery. This dramatically improves driving range and means you can refuel at a normal petrol station.

What's special about Mazda Skyactiv engines?

Most of the smartest features of Mazda's Skyactiv engines revolve around making the combustion taking place in the engine more efficient.

For example, Skyactiv G petrol engines achieve a remarkably high compression ratio – this is the ratio between the cylinder volume as the piston goes from bottom dead centre to top dead centre. Skyactiv G engines run at 14:1 whereas most rivals are closer to 10:1, which means they can extract more energy from a given amount of petrol.

Conversely, Mazda's Skyactiv diesels are some of the lowest-compression diesel engines available. With this fuel type, low compression helps improve fuel-air mixing as well as reduce emissions and engine noise.

However, its e-Skyactiv X units are probably the most groundbreaking. These are petrol engines that can run using compression ignition, just like a diesel engine, in certain circumstances. Under light loads, the spark plug ignites a rich mixture of fuel and air around the plug tip, which then forms a flame front that ignites the remaining ultra-lean fuel-air mixture in the cylinder. This engine also uses a small supercharger for better control over the air entering the cylinder, as well as additional mild-hybrid tech.

What are the benefits of Skyactiv engines?

The main advantage of Skyactiv engines is their fuel economy. Using clever compression-ratio tricks or novel combustion tech means these engines use less fuel than their predecessors while making the same or more power.

For driving enthusiasts, they might enjoy the fact Skyactiv G engines aren't turbocharged, unlike so many rivals. This means you miss out on a little low-speed muscle, but you get a more responsive engine in return that's more pleasant to rev out to higher speeds.

Are Mazda Skyactiv engines any good?

In practice, you'd need to be a serious car enthusiast to notice that Skyactiv engines feel any different to typical petrol and diesel engines. Most of the time, they're simply smooth, refined and easy to drive, with strong fuel economy figures across the board.

Even if you're not a car nerd, you'll find Mazda Skyactiv engines to be responsive and intuitive to use, with a little more driver appeal than your average commuter model.

Are Mazda Skyactiv engines fuel efficient?

Fuel efficiency is one of the guiding principles of Mazda's Skyactiv tech. As a result, all engines return strong economy and will generally prove to be more efficient than a rival car with an equivalent engine type.

It's worth noting, however, that more and more rivals are launching self-charging-hybrid and plug-in-hybrid cars. These return even better fuel economy figures thanks to the addition of electrical power for driving in stop-start situations.

Are Mazda Skyactiv engines reliable?

Reports generally indicate that Mazda Skyactiv engines are reliable and will return years of service with regular maintenance. There were some reports of carbon-buildup issues on early Skyactiv D diesels, but this has long since been rectified on newer models.

As ever, a car's long-term reliability usually has more to do with the owner and how diligent they are with servicing. Failure to keep up with the engine's stated service schedule will significantly increase the rate at which parts wear and break, so keeping on top of maintenance is key to keeping your Skyactiv engine running properly for a long time.

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