Mazda CX-5 diesel gets 28-mpg EPA city rating

2018 Mazda CX-5The Mazda CX-5 diesel took one step closer to production by receiving an EPA rating. Jalopnik made the find and reported the ratings on Wednesday. With front-wheel drive, the CX-5 diesel is rated at 28 mpg city, 31 highway, 29 combined. With all-wheel drive those numbers each drop by 1 mpg for ratings of 27 city, 30 highway, and 28 overall. The...

EPA could base emissions, mpg rollback on tired safety argument

TrafficIn the latest draft of new fuel economy and emissions standards obtained by the Associated Press, the Trump administration argues that reducing mileage standards will improve safety. It's an argument that dates back to the beginning of fuel economy standards in the 1970s, and one that ignores technological improvements made along the way. Under...

2019 Mercedes-Benz A-Class sedan sets wind-cheating record

2019 Mercedes-Benz A-Class aerodynamic testingEfficiency comes in many automotive forms: electric powertrains, continuously variable transmissions, smaller-displacement engines. More aerodynamic designs help efficiency, too. With the 2019 A-Class, Mercedes-Benz says it's raised the aerodynamic bar. Mercedes-Benz claims that the new 2019 A-Class sedan has the lowest aerodynamic drag of any...

What level is appropriate for fuel economy standards: Twitter poll results

Obama CAFE standards benefits for 2025We didn't know last week when California and 16 other states might file a lawsuit against the EPA over President Trump's decision to roll back emissions rules, but it seemed pretty clear that it would happen soon. Our Twitter-poll subject for last week still managed to address the topic directly from the viewpoint of our readers: We noted that the...

California and 16 states sue EPA over emissions rules

Smog over Los Angeles, courtesy Flickr user steven-bussCalifornia, along with 16 other states and the District of Columbia, have formally launched a long-anticipated lawsuit against EPA over its proposed rollback of emissions rules for 2022 through 2025, according to a new report in the Washington Post. The suit was filed last month in the D.C federal appeals court in response to EPA Administrator...

Is the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta the most fuel-efficient small car?

2019 Volkswagen JettaOver the lifetime of a car, small things can make a big difference. When it comes to fuel economy, just 1 or 2 mpg can add up to hundreds of dollars left in owners’ pockets. That may not mean much to luxury buyers, but for compact sedans that start at less than $20,000 and their owners, every dime, dollar, and drop saved counts. Our...