Mazda Skyactiv-G four-cylinder family engines by year

By CarWhere Research · Updated

Mazda's Skyactiv-G family covers its direct-injection gasoline four-cylinders. US models use the 2.0 (155 hp, 181 hp in the 2019-on MX-5), the naturally aspirated 2.5 (184–187 hp) and the 2.5 Turbo (227 hp on regular, 250–256 hp on premium). The turbo shares the 2.5's bore and stroke.

Mazda introduced Skyactiv-G in the US with the 2012 Mazda3 2.0 and added the 2.5 for 2014. The 2.5T turbo followed in the 2016 CX-9, built on the naturally aspirated 2.5 with the same 89 x 100 mm bore and stroke but a 10.5:1 compression ratio instead of 13.0:1. The naturally aspirated 2.5 gained cylinder deactivation for 2018. Each engine page lists its ratings by model and year and the recalls on record.

Skyactiv-G four-cylinder family generations compared

Skyactiv-G four-cylinder family generations: model years, peak Mazda-published output and documented problems
EngineModel yearsPeak hpPeak torque (lb-ft)Documented problemsRecalls
Skyactiv-G 2.0 and 2.5 (naturally aspirated)2012–present · 2014–present18718613
Skyactiv-G 2.5T (2.5 Turbo)2016–present25632000

Skyactiv-G 2.0 and 2.5 (naturally aspirated)

Skyactiv-G is Mazda's family of direct-injection four-cylinder gasoline engines. In the US the 2.0-liter arrived in the 2012 Mazda3 at 155 hp and now powers the MX-5 at 181 hp. The 2.5-liter, at 184–187 hp, runs in the Mazda3, CX-30, CX-5, CX-50 and the 2014–2021 Mazda6, with cylinder deactivation since 2018.

Skyactiv-G 2.0 and 2.5 (naturally aspirated) specs, problems and recalls

Skyactiv-G 2.5T (2.5 Turbo)

Mazda's 2.5 Turbo is the Skyactiv-G 2.5T, a turbocharged 2.5-liter four that debuted in the 2016 CX-9. Mazda rates it at 227 hp and 310 lb-ft on regular fuel and 250 hp on 93-octane premium, or 256 hp in the CX-5 and CX-50. Torque on premium rose from 310 to 320 lb-ft for 2020.

Skyactiv-G 2.5T (2.5 Turbo) specs, problems and recalls

Related Mazda research

Confirm which Skyactiv-G four-cylinder family a car was built with.

The engine and transmission are part of the factory build record for the VIN. The CarWhere Mazda build sheet reconstructs factory colors, options and packages from licensed VIN-level build data — availability is checked free, and it is $9.99 only when detailed build data is found for that VIN.

Mazda build sheet by VIN

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between Skyactiv-G and the 2.5 Turbo?

Both are 2.5-liter Skyactiv-G fours with the same bore and stroke. The turbo uses a 10.5:1 compression ratio and Mazda's Dynamic Pressure Turbo, making 227 hp on regular and 250–256 hp on premium versus 186–187 hp for the naturally aspirated engine.

Which Skyactiv engine is in the CX-5?

The Skyactiv-G 2.0 was the base engine for 2013–2016, the 2.5 has been offered since 2014 and is the only engine in the 2026–2027 CX-5, and the 2.5 Turbo was available from 2019 through 2025.

Is Skyactiv-X part of the US lineup?

No US model release CarWhere reviewed lists Skyactiv-X. Mazda offered it in European-specification models and launched it in the Mazda3 in Japan in 2019.

Do Skyactiv-G engines need premium fuel?

The naturally aspirated 2.0 and 2.5 are rated on regular fuel. The 2.5 Turbo also runs on regular at 227 hp and makes its full 250–256 hp on 93-octane premium.

Sources

Figures come from the individual engine pages, each of which cites Mazda-published ratings and NHTSA records as listed below.

  1. 2012 Mazda3 Overview (press release, PDF) — Mazda North American Operations
  2. 2013 Mazda CX-5 Short-Lead Program overview (PDF) — Mazda North American Operations
  3. 2014 Mazda3 Overview (press release, PDF) — Mazda North American Operations
  4. Enhanced Engine, New Brown Soft Top for 2019 MX-5 Miata (Oct. 1, 2018) — Mazda North American Operations
  5. 2021 Mazda3: Well-Suited With Added Powertrains (July 8, 2020) — Mazda North American Operations
  6. 2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata: Pricing and Packaging (Sept. 15, 2026) — Mazda North American Operations
  7. 2015 Mazda CX-5 Overview Press Release (PDF) — Mazda North American Operations
  8. 2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata Packs More Punch, Features (June 20, 2018) — Mazda North American Operations
  9. Fuel economy listing: 2016 Mazda CX-5 — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
  10. Fuel economy listing: 2018 Mazda3 — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
  11. History (2010–2014) — Mazda Motor Corporation (mazda.com)
  12. History (2015–2019) — Mazda Motor Corporation (mazda.com)
  13. Mazda Next-Generation Technology - Press Information (Oct. 24, 2017) — Mazda North American Operations
  14. 2019 Geneva Auto Show Press Information - Mazda CX-30 (Mar. 5, 2019) — Mazda North American Operations
  15. Fuel economy listing: 2016 Mazda MX-5 — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
  16. Mazda CX-5 Adds Numerous Upgrades After Being on Sale Just Nine Months (Nov. 22, 2017) — Mazda North American Operations
  17. 2020 Mazda CX-30: Inspiring The Road Ahead (Nov. 20, 2019) — Mazda North American Operations
  18. 2021 Mazda6: Standing Out From Its Class (Sept. 1, 2020) — Mazda North American Operations
  19. Mazda Announces Pricing and Packaging for 2023 CX-50 (Feb. 22, 2022) — Mazda North American Operations
  20. 2025 Mazda CX-5: Pricing and Packaging (July 16, 2024) — Mazda North American Operations
  21. 2026 Mazda CX-30: Pricing and Packaging (Sept. 18, 2025) — Mazda North American Operations
  22. 2026 Mazda CX-50: Pricing and Packaging (Sept. 16, 2025) — Mazda North American Operations
  23. Mazda Reveals All-New 2026 CX-5 (July 10, 2025) — Mazda North American Operations
  24. 2027 Mazda CX-5: Pricing and Packaging (Oct. 26, 2026) — Mazda North American Operations
  25. 2027 Mazda3: Pricing and Packaging (Nov. 3, 2026) — Mazda North American Operations
  26. 2014 Mazda6 Specifications (PDF) — Mazda North American Operations
  27. Re-Engineered, Refined Mazda6: Mazda's Path to Premium (Nov. 29, 2017) — Mazda North American Operations
  28. Fuel economy listing: 2014 Mazda CX-5 — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
  29. 2020 Mazda CX-5 Continues To Separate Itself From Its Class (Nov. 12, 2019) — Mazda North American Operations
  30. Statement on Recall of Certain 2018 and 2019 MY Mazda CX-5, Mazda6 and 2019 Mazda3 Vehicles (July 10, 2019) — Mazda North American Operations
  31. NHTSA recall 19V497000: Software Error May Cause Engine Stall — NHTSA
  32. All-New Mazda CX-9 Three-Row Crossover Debuts at 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show (Nov. 18, 2015) — Mazda North American Operations
  33. Mazda's All-New CX-9 to Feature New 2.5-liter Direct-Injection Turbocharged Gasoline Engine (Nov. 18, 2015) — Mazda North American Operations
  34. Updated CX-5: Elegant, Exhilarating the SUV that Enlivens the Journey (Nov. 9, 2018) — Mazda North American Operations
  35. 2021 Mazda3 2.5 Turbo: Refined Performance (July 8, 2020) — Mazda North American Operations
  36. 2021 Mazda CX-30 2.5 Turbo: Empowering Performance (Sept. 17, 2020) — Mazda North American Operations
  37. 2022 Mazda CX-5: Pricing and Packaging (Nov. 30, 2021) — Mazda North American Operations
  38. 2023 Mazda CX-9: Pricing and Packaging (Aug. 30, 2022) — Mazda North American Operations
  39. Mazda CX-9 Discontinuation (June 30, 2023) — Mazda North American Operations
  40. Statement on Mazda6 and CX-3 (May 21, 2021) — Mazda North American Operations

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Independent reference compiled by CarWhere — not affiliated with or endorsed by Mazda North American Operations or Mazda Motor Corporation. Mazda and the model names are trademarks of their owners.