Mazda’s Rotary Engine Legacy
Since the 1960s, Mazda has adopted the rotary engine Mazda on Wankel engine design, becoming the only major automaker to continue using the rotary engine in production cars long after others abandoned the concept. Mazda has produced a wide variety of cars, from compact cars and sedans to trucks and SUVs, using different Mazda engines architecture over time.
Mazda Models and Compatible Engines
SKYACTIV Engines
What Is Skyactiv Technology Mazda?
SKYACTIV is Mazda’s umbrella name for a suite of next-generation engineering technologies, including the engine, transmission, body, and chassis. This technology of Mazda is aimed at improving fuel efficiency, emissions, performance, and driving feel.
Under the SKYACTIV umbrella, Mazda designs engines alongside transmissions, body, and chassis to ensure that the entire vehicle is efficient, safe, and enjoyable to drive — not just the engine alone.
SKYACTIV-G gasoline engines
SKYACTIV-G is built to give a high compression rate for efficiency & torque. Mazda’s SKYACTIV-G engines use a high compression ratio, for example, 14.0:1, which enables greater fuel efficiency and improved torque at low to mid RPMs, without abnormal combustion, reflecting Mazda’s engineering philosophy also seen in the Mazda RX-8 rotary engine.
In short: SKYACTIV-G engines are Mazda’s modern, efficient petrol engines designed to give good fuel economy + reasonable power, by using direct injection + high compression + engine/transmission/vehicle-wide design optimization.
SKYACTIV-D diesel engines
Known for the low compression and clean diesel performance, the SKYACTIV-D diesel engines use an unusually low compression ratio for a diesel, which helps reduce emissions while improving fuel efficiency compared to many conventional diesel engines.
SKYACTIV-Z
SKYACTIV-Z is a future-oriented engine development with a combustion-efficient and hybrid-ready engine. Mazda is developing a new 2.5 L inline-4 gasoline engine (SKYACTIV-Z) aimed at achieving high fuel efficiency, clean emissions, while being ready for hybrid/electrified powertrains.
Diverse engine lineages — not just modern Skyactiv: legacy inline-4, inline-6, and V6 engines. Over time, Mazda has built different engine families: for example, the older “B-series” inline-4 engines (1980s–2000s) powered many small to mid-size cars and some sporty/turbo versions.
Here are a few models that use SKYACTIV engines:
- The third-generation Mazda2 comes with two transmissions: the SKYACTIV-Drive automatic or the SKYACTIV-MT manual. It is powered by gasoline SKYACTIV-G engines (typically 1.5 L), with a SKYACTIV-D diesel version available in select markets.
- Most Mazda3 models are equipped with SKYACTIV-G petrol engines, as part of Mazda’s wider SKYACTIV technology platform that emphasizes performance and efficiency.
- Mazda6 since around 2013, the Mazda6 has been offered with SKYACTIV-G petrol engines (2.0 L or 2.5 L), and in certain regions, a SKYACTIV-D diesel option.
- The Mazda CX-3 uses a 1.5 L SKYACTIV-G petrol engine in recent versions, with a SKYACTIV-D diesel variant offered in select markets.
- Mazda CX-5 is powered by a 2.5 L SKYACTIV-G inline-4 petrol engine with DOHC 16-valve configuration, typically paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Some trims produce approximately 190 hp.
Fitment
The Mazda engines are compatible in other cars too, like Ford Ranger and Ford Courier can fit rebadged versions of Mazda’s compact-truck designs, and used Mazda-designed engines/transmissions. The Ford Everest can have a 2.6-litre “G6” engine that came from Mazda. Ford Fusion can have a 2.3 L “Duratec 23 I4” engine.
How to Find the Best Quality Used Engines
Log in to Moon Auto Parts official website and search for your compatible engine in the AI-enabled search bar. From the listed used and remanufactured Mazda engines, select your choice according to price and performance preferences, and place the order. We also provide Mazda transmissions to meet your complete drivetrain needs. Get your order delivered within 7 to 14 days with a free warranty of up to 40 miles or 4 years.

