Mazda3 updated – better than ever?
The same thing happened with the 6, so could the 3 be the next Mazda that eventually becomes a classic? The same can be said for 2; by that I mean cars that remained in production much longer than originally intended.
The company has wisely directed its resources towards greatly increasing the number of SUVs it offers and developing new IC engine lines. Many thought this was crazy behavior, especially in the case of creating a straight-six gasoline turbo, not to mention a diesel with the same number of cylinders.
Europe and China: 150,000 Mazda deliveries each year
There was a gamble, there was a vision and then luck came. Suddenly Mazda had just the right models for the USA. This market, which will reach approximately 410,000 sales in 2025, has been the company’s number one market for a long time.
Japan is also strong; around 150,000 a year, plus there’s a years-long battle with Ford for second place in Australia. While retail sales of approximately 90,000 vehicles are expected to decrease by the end of this month, the same number of locally produced Mazdas are expected to be delivered to China.
Older models sell well especially in the UK and Japan
Mazda Motor Europe is a much bigger deal than many people realize; This year’s sales volume will be as high as the company’s domestic market. The model mix is also surprisingly similar; England is perhaps the best example. The CX-5 and 2 have been good sellers for the brand in both Japan and Britain, although the latter model is sourced from Toyota for Europe rather than the older Mazda-built generation.
Then we come to number 3. Launched at the Los Angeles auto show in late 2018 and on sale since the beginning of 2019, Mazda has always thought that the country where it would sell the most was the USA. And this proved to be true, the default body was a sedan. We have the lounge here too, but now it’s only available in one trim option. On the other hand, the hatchback comes with 15 different options if we include manual and automatic transmissions.
A temporary period in which long life cycles are normal
The Hiroshima-based OEM is not alone in keeping many of its older models in production, as we know, and the 6 was still selling quite well in some countries when it went out of production in April 2024, four months short of its twelfth birthday. While this is an extreme example, even the mighty TMC had announced just a few weeks ago that many models would continue their nine-year lifecycle. From where?
Until automakers see sustained, high-volume demand for electric vehicles, replacing key vehicles with solely electric vehicles is risky. So there will likely be a lot of extended production around the world in 2026-2030. The Toyota Camry (which debuted at the 2017 Detroit Auto Show) and the Hilux (2015) are two examples of high-volume vehicles that have had multiple, sometimes major, facelifts. In each of these two cases, real change is not expected for several years yet.
Americans especially love the Mazda3
Since models like 2 and 3 are still wanted by many customers, why shouldn’t they continue to be produced? Even now, Mazda USA is on track to deliver around 30,000 units of the model in 2025. And this in a society that is almost obsessed with innovation and where sedans are assumed to be long outdated. Toyota, Honda and Nissan would strongly disagree with this second generalization.
Mazda’s C-segment hatchback still looks like no other car in its class, and that’s a very good thing. Has he even aged? If so, the styling touches from the previous decade were fine. I would also like to point out that the interior of the 3 is much more attractive than many new vehicles that claim to have cutting-edge technology.
Click, tap, roll; tactile pleasures abound
Even after a week, the joy of having beautiful controls on the center console for the audio system has not diminished. Yes, these are for the passenger, but tapping the tactile silver dial or pushing it left or right for track/radio station changes was a small thrill every time. What a shame that Mazda’s latest vehicles are button-free and everything is on screen (the 6e and CX-5, for example, will each arrive in the UK in 2026).
There is also a large click-turn wheel on the same console. Remember when we did these instead of poking the screen? Decent sound, precise movement, no fingerprints to wipe off, and just as well, the screen itself isn’t too big either. Mazda also gives you real gauges complete with needles, a gorgeous three-spoke steering wheel that’s actually round, and yes, my favorites: more buttons for the HVAC system. These are all very pleasing to the fingers, eyes and ears.
The test car came with a six-speed manual transmission. These are becoming as rare as diesel engines or any vehicle that doesn’t need to have all kinds of ADAS issues deactivated every time you start it. There are so many reasons why I loved my days with this Mazda. Gear shifting is also close to perfect in this car.
3 When and how can it be changed?
There are rumors that the new generation of 3e will be electric, and trademark applications have been made for 3e in some countries. This suggests the existence of another joint venture with Changan, or at least strengthening their alliance to use the Chinese OEM’s platform, as Mazda did with the 6e.
Given the ongoing trends, we may also get EREV propulsion in the next C-segment hatchback and/or sedan. This will greatly help sales where many people cannot or do not want to buy a car that is battery-based and without a backup IC propulsion system.
Will Mazda give up on its gorgeous dashboards and regret it just like VW?
Can we please have the amazing tactility of the old Mazdas’ dashboard controls? Yes, the so-called ‘clean’ design looks great but it needs to work as before. Also, not everyone likes a car that overcommunicates. I’m as impressed as I am I was trying out 6e a few months ago – gorgeous to look at and sit in – my heart sank when I realized how few pieces of plastic I could press, turn or bend.
As of now, we don’t actually know when and how 3 will be replaced. The current car, which feels the opposite of outdated, may well continue for a few more years. This will be a big problem for the US market, especially if the 3e becomes a reality and is produced only in China.
One of the best things I left to mention for last: the new engine. Providing 13 kW (18 PS) more power than its predecessor of the same capacity, the 103 kW (140 PS) 2.5-liter four-cylinder MHEV is both powerful and frugal. Torque, which used to be 213 Nm, is now 238 Nm. The 137 kW (186 PS) and 240 Nm e-Skyactiv-X engine with Spark Controlled Compression Ignition technology remains in the range above the new e-Skyactiv G.
Summary
Once a mainstream model, the 3 is now approaching niche status in countries like these, where EVs continue to gain an increasingly larger following. And that’s great, different technologies work better for different buyers. Those who want a C-segment car that feels premium thanks to high-tech mechanicals along with a refreshing analogue experience should take a look at this Mazda. It does not disappoint.
Pricing for the revised Mazda3 starts from GBP 25,030.
“Mazda3 updated; is it better than ever?” Originally created and published by Automatic OnlyIt is a brand owned by GlobalData.
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