Ready to rival

Updated Mazda small-hatch and sedan range expected in showrooms in July

Following news in April an updated Mazda3 hatch and sedan range was due in showrooms from July, Mazda Australia has detailed pricing for the refreshed line-up.

The range now starts at $30,320 plus on-road costs, or $2160 more than before, in entry-spec Pure automatic form.

Mazda has removed the option of a manual transmission from its ‘3’ lineup, while also removing the mild-hybrid G20e and innovative Skyactiv-x engines from its ranks.

As Australia’s number-three small car contender, the Mazda3 rivals the likes of the Toyota Corolla, from $28,630 plus on-road costs, and Hyundai i30, from $24,000 plus onroad costs, holding a significant 18.8 percent of the small passenger car under-$40,000 segment.

The Hyundai i30 holds a 38.3 percent share of the segment, while the Toyota Corolla a healthy 24.2 percent slice of the action.

But it is the changes to the facelifted ‘3’ Mazda hopes will improve its fortunes.

Fresh to the range are a slew of updates Mazda Australia says were implemented in line with consumer trends and customer demand, most of which focus on fuel economy, infotainment and convenience measures.

As previously reported by Goauto, G20 models receive an upgrade to the Skyactiv G 2.0-litre petrol engine fitted with cylinder deactivation and other improvements to the combustion process resulting in lower CO2 emissions without compromising on performance or driveability.

Mazda says the changes elicit fuel consumption improvements of five percent, taking the model to 5.9 litres per 100 kilometres for the hatch and 5.8 litres per 100 kilometres for the sedan.

On the aesthetic side, the refreshed Mazda3 adds a new colour to the mix with ceramic metallic replacing sonic silver in the model’s eight-strong colour palette.

On the inside and drilling down into the model range, the G20 Touring grades and above receive new convenience features such as wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto, wireless phone charging and USB Type-c ports.

G25 GT grades and above score a 10.25-inch Mazda Connect infotainment display, as featured on other Mazda nameplates, such as the CX-5, CX-8 and CX-9.

By ticking the options box for the vision technology package on entry level grades such as the G20 Pure and G20 Evolve, buyers will access the 10.25-in Mazda Connect infotainment display.