Understand Vehicle Specs to Shop Confidently

Whether you're comparing trims online or visiting a dealership in person, understanding vehicle specs is one of the most important steps in choosing your next vehicle. But for many drivers, car specifications can feel like a foreign language. From engine displacement to wheelbase to miles per gallon, the terms can start to blend together fast. At Berglund Mazda in Salem, VA, we’re here to break things down in a clear, practical way.

Engine Specs: Where Power Starts

Let’s start with the heart of any vehicle: the engine. When reading car specs, you’ll see terms like engine displacement, cylinders, and horsepower. Here’s what they mean:

• Engine Displacement (measured in liters or cc): This tells you the total volume inside the cylinders. A higher number often means more power, but it can impact fuel efficiency.
• Cylinders: Most Mazda models feature four cylinders, though some larger or performance-oriented vehicles in the broader market may have six or eight.
• Horsepower: This measures the engine’s ability to maintain speed. Higher horsepower typically means faster acceleration.
• Torque: Think of torque as pulling power. It affects how quickly the vehicle moves off the line and is especially useful when towing or climbing hills.
• Engine Descriptions: You might see terms like “turbocharged” or “Skyactiv®” in Mazda engines. These technologies impact both performance and fuel efficiency.

Together, these engine specs help you determine how your car will drive, whether you want sporty handling or a smooth, economical ride.

Drivetrain & Transmission

Next up: how the engine delivers power to the wheels. The drivetrain, transmission, and wheel drive system all affect how your vehicle handles.

• Transmission: This refers to how the car shifts gears. Most modern vehicles use an automatictransmission, though some still offer manuals. The number of gears can impact smoothness and efficiency.
• Drivetrain: Common terms include FWD (front-wheel drive), RWD (rear-wheel drive), AWD (all-wheel drive), and 4WD (four-wheel drive).

Knowing which drivetrain works best for your lifestyle, urban driving vs off-roading, or winter weather, can help you make a better decision when comparing models.

Wheelbase, Capacity & Cargo Space

Beyond power and drivetrain, there are other measurements that help define a vehicle’s ride quality and usability.

• Wheelbase: This is the distance between the front and rear axles. A longer wheelbase usually means a smoother ride and more interior space.
• Capacity: This includes both passenger and cargo capacity. If you have a family or need to haul gear often, it’s worth looking at both.
• Cargo Space: Often measured in cubic feet, this tells you how much room is available behind the seats or in the trunk. SUVs and hatchbacks typically offer more flexible storage.

If you're considering a model like the Mazda CX-5 or Mazda3 Hatchback, these numbers can be a big part of your decision-making process.

Fuel Efficiency & Miles Per Gallon

Miles per gallon (mpg) is one of the most important metrics for daily drivers. You’ll see this measured in city, highway, and combined numbers.

• City mpg: This indicates how efficient the car is in stop-and-go traffic.
• Highway mpg: This reflects long-distance fuel use at consistent speeds.
• Combined mpg: It’s a blend of both to reflect real-world driving.

Higher mpg ratings often mean lower fuel costs, but they can vary depending on the engine, transmission, weight, and even tire size of the vehicle. This is especially useful when comparing sedans to SUVs or evaluating the difference between a turbo and non-turbo version of the same car.

Performance Specs that Matter

If you're interested in how a vehicle performs, there are a few more numbers to look at beyond horsepower and torque.

• Acceleration (0–60 mph): This tells you how quickly a car gets up to speed.
• Top Speed: This is more of a bragging right than a daily metric, but fun to know.
• Braking Distance: It helps determine how quickly the car stops from high speeds.
• Handling Ratings: Usually found in reviews, these tell you how well the car corners or responds to steering input.

Whether you’re looking at a Mazda sedan or SUV, these car specs give you a better sense of how it performs under pressure.

Safety Features & Tech

Lastly, don’t forget to check for safety features, many of which are now listed in spec sheets alongside the mechanical details.

Look for:

• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Blind Spot Monitoring
• Automatic Emergency Braking
• Lane Keep Assist
• Rear Cross-Traffic Alert

These systems go far beyond the basics and are a major factor in both your peace of mind and insurance rates.

Have Questions? Let Berglund Mazda Help

Reading through car specs can feel overwhelming, but our team at Berglund Mazda in Salem, VA, is here to make it easy. Whether you’re searching for vehicles, comparing models, or planning your new car test drive, we’ll help you sort through the specs that actually matter for your lifestyle.

Visit our dealership or contact us today. We’ll walk you through engine choices, drivetrains, features, and financing with zero pressure. Let’s get you into a car that doesn’t just look good on paper, it feels right on the road.

Disclaimer: This content was drafted with AI assistance for initial drafting, reviewed by a subject-matter expert for accuracy, and edited by our team of writers and editors.