Mazda's vehicles are again the most fuel efficient in the U.S. according to the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Light Duty Fuel Economy Trends report. The Japanese carmaker topped the list of manufacturers for the 2014 model year, its third consecutive first-place finish, also leading the pack for the 2015 model year on the basis of preliminary EPA figures.

The achievement is largely attributable to the Mazda's SKYACTIV Technology, a range of engines, transmissions, chassis and bodies developed from the ground up. SKYACTIV is the basis for the current generation of lightweight Mazda models, which have won numerous awards for their outstanding combination of efficiency, safety, performance and driving fun.

The EPA results also reflect the company's strategy to optimise internal combustion, above all in its naturally aspirated SKYACTIV-G petrol engines. In the name of uncompromising real-world fuel efficiency, Mazda has bucked the prevailing industry trend towards downsizing and turbocharging, again achieving top spot with neither hybrid and electric vehicles nor it's ultra-efficient SKYACTIV-D diesels. The carmaker was able to raise overall fuel efficiency by more than 30 percent compared to 2008 levels with its current generation of SKYACTIV engines, and Mazda is aiming for another similar increase with its next SKYACTIV generation.