How Mazda i-ACTIV AWD works and what they think of our famous DIAGONAL TEST!

** Sorry for the lighting but the content is WAY more interesting!
There is nothing better than a company engineer to face the music and come explain to us how things work, and "chapeau" to Mazda because there the first one to do it and explain how Mazda i-ACTIV AWD works and what they think of our famous DIAGONAL TEST! You probably saw an evolution on how the Mazda Cx-9 failed our first test but then make it with less struggle on the top of our hill! Mr. Dave Coleman, a development engineer at Mazda’s research and development center, has agreed to come and talk to us! Note that this video is long, but there is so much good stuff on how AWD work that we didn't want to cut it! Did you know that we had an impact with our video on how they upgraded their Mazda i-ACTIV AWD system? Ok, let's say an influence! :) Mazda’s predictive i-ACTIV AWD is an on-demand system featuring sensors that check road conditions 200 times every second. Built to sense, and respond to these conditions, i-ACTIV AWD helps to ensure a more confident drive.

In that video, Dave Coleman of Mada explains to us what's Mazda philosophy and goals for their AWD system and how they improve it over time!

Check out our video and find out how I-AWD works and what Mazda think of our famous DIAGONAL TEST!

Car Question Ranking Chart:

Mazda Playlist:

Mazda Cx-5 Playlist:

Mazda CX-9 Playlist:

How Mazda I-Activ AWD works, an interview with Dave Coleman:

Testing the new Mazda CX-5 Turbo Signature:

Mazda Cx-5 Turbo AWD test in the snow

Diagonal / i-ACTIV AWD Test | Mazda CX-5:

Mazda Cx-9 I-ACTIV AWD Diagonal test: An update!

Mazda Cx-9 I-ACTIV AWD Diagonal test: The Revenge

Mazda CX-9 I-ACTIVE AWD failing our diagonal test?

Mazda CX-9 FAIL but WHY? Mazda CX-9 I-ACTIVE AWD vs Diagonal test?

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[ronochow]

The answers the engineer provided were very clear and gives a good understanding of how Mazda's AWD system works and the decisions that went into them. Props to him!

[Desertfox]

I drive my 2019 cx-5 GT Reserve in some very challenging winter conditions... well below freezing, high altitude, icy and low traction roads, deep snow- and switch to high desert in the summer at consistent 100F temps. In both of these driving environments, the vehicle provides superior traction, comfortable seats and the best AC on the planet. Forget trying to trick the algorithms and TCS to fail in .001% of driving conditions... for 99.999 percent of the time, this is the best handling, intuitive, fun to drive small SUV.

[jonathans]

i wish more car manufacturers would talk about their awd systems and tell you what's happening from a technical standpoint. I'm a software engineer myself and this shed some light.

[chinaiwei]

Kudos and big thanks to Mazda and Dave to answer technical engineering questions. That is why I love about Mazda as a car corporation. It’s about car driving dynamic and practicality.

[EasyTechTrading]

good job mazda for updating their AWD system.. its really awesome that they pay attention in customer feedback about the their awd system. special thanks to CAR QUESTIONS whose always testing the cars awd to its limit. 👍 i hope mazda applies this new AWD system to their CX-9 and make the car bigger the 3rd row of the CX-9 is so small. good job mazda 👏

[robvilletto]

It’s great that Mazda actually addresses the issues. Well done Mazda.

[deanrhodenizer]

Thank you. This was a great idea – talking with someone who really understands the AWD system and many of the design choices that have been made and why. When I was shopping for a new vehicle the AWD systems were so secret and proprietary that I found it very difficult to make a choice with any confidence. Perhaps we need a particular set of repeatable tests to compare AWD systems. Really, no dealer wanted to say much more than their system was the “best”. I did choose Mazda at the time. I am a 2017 CX-5 owner and am kicking myself now for not being a bit more patient and waiting for the turbo version.

[chawenhalo]

Fantastic that Mazda engineers/ HQ is willing to engage with petrolheads and fans!

[saliston]

You have to give Mazda props they are acknowledging the issue and not trying to hide from it. Subaru stopped working with TFL Car when they had issues with their AWD system.

[camlebans]

Honest answers from an engineer. Great salesman. Thank you .

[BuddyPickleball]

You do great work. Your channel is so much better than other car channels. Keep up the good work.

[josef]

I love how everything Dave says about TCS system for offroad and and the button label actually happened. Looking at the new CX-30 and the offroad review by The Fast Lane Car it clearly shows the TCS button is now a 'rough road button' and you can see how high they ramped up the braking of the wheel in the air.


Love Mazda !

[MW-qf]

We bought a cx5 a few years back and it was far and above the best snow driver I’ve ever had. Even better than suvs and trucks with 4wd. We recently traded the cx5 for a cx9 and the AWD system was a big reason why we stuck with Mazda.

[a.ibrahim]

This (along with the other diagonal and TCS videos) was the most informative debunking of so many assumptions, guessing games, amateur opinions and reviews by disgruntled know-it-alls I have seen to date! Thank you. I just recently purchased a Preowned Certified 2018 CX9 GT and am loving it so far. We had our first real major dump of snow in Montreal since I got it today, so I did a few of my own tests and this video perfectly explained why I was so confused today! Not confused any more and finally understand and know when and when not to use TCS, as well as what it is exactly. I also just found the 2018 diagonal test video you guys made, so I look forward to seeing what the 2018 can do vs the 2016 that was tested in the earlier video. Now, I just have to wait until Jan 4 when Mazda service resumes, to have the winter tires I initially paid for (or better, I don't even mind paying more than whet I was invoiced for) be installed on my CX9, instead of the utter garbage budget tires they put on it at the last minute (without my prior knowledge or consent mind you!) because of the rush of having to move the vehicle before lock-down began on the 26th even though I told them I was not in a rush to get it before lock-down. I only left with it because of the excellent sales service and professionalism of my Sales Rep and his guarantee that all would be taken care of (there are a few minor issues to deal with as well as this tire problem) upon the service department reopening. Anyways, I loved the video and subscribing to your channel. Keep up the great work.

[krys]

He said that their TCS system is more every day driving oriented and that's ok, hovewer some competitors have special off-road programs, which can be activated for such diagonal tests. That makes the difference.
Still it's good that Mazda is working to make their AWD better.
Ps. Best wishes and all success in new year 2019.

[jayemark]

The 2022 cx5 awd has a separate off-road mode. The research is paying off when you add features to future year models.😀👍🏻🚗

[chriswicecarver]

I appreciate the logic given by the Mazda person in that 95-99% of the driving is going to be done on normal terrain or in normal circumstances.  And although they make good effort to account for that 1-5% of unusual circumstances...if it's a choice between one or the other, they're going to spend more focus on greater majority.

[white_rook]

Excellent video..Best on YouTube....This is why I bought the CX-3....many thanks, , ,

[ZakElbas]

Great video as always. Good to see companies learn from the hard work these channels put in. All the best to everyone in 2019.

[wassliving]

Super informative. Kind of makes me a fan of the AWD system as it's more capable that one would expect.