The casualty of this update though is for the Mazda3 to lose its base 1.5-litre power plant.
The Mazda3 has recently been given a slight revision locally. This most recent round of update brings with it some added tech within the cabin, in addition to an expanded range of active driver aids for more variants of this mid-sized Japanese car.
Starting with the new tech toys within first, the Mazda3 now features a larger 10.25-inch central infotainment touchscreen (up from 8.8-inches) that now also supports wireless Apple CarPlay. All variants also net a Qi wireless charging pad as well as USB-C ports in the centre console and armrest, which replace the old USB-A outlets used for wired Android Auto connection.
New too on this Mazda3 is a 12-speaker Bose sound system, though this is only exclusive to the top-spec Ignite Edition. What is however not exclusive any more to the top tier variant is the bevy of active safety tech, with all trims to now also pack additional I-Activsense features such as Cruising & Traffic Support (CTS).
Though what Mazda giveth in one hand it takes away with the other, as the base-spec 1.5-litre engine has since been culled from the lineup following this update. This therefore means all variants of this mid-sized Japanese car is to only be available from now on with the 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated SkyActiv-G petrol four pot, which sends 162 hp and 213 Nm of torque to the front wheels via a six-speed SkyActiv-Drive automatic transmission.
As it stands thus far, there are four variants of the fully-imported Mazda3 currently being offered locally. The prices for each variant is listed below, and is inclusive of a 5-year manufacturer warranty and 5-year free maintenance plan:
- Mazda3 2.0L High Sedan: RM 156,059.00
- Mazda3 2.0L High Plus Sedan: RM 166,059.00
- Mazda3 2.0L High Plus Liftback: RM 166,059.00
- Mazda3 2.0L Ignite Edition RM 175,059.00
All four of these variants could be had with a choice of 7 colours. These 7 colours are Soul Red Crystal, Machine Grey, Polymetal Grey, Platinum Quartz, Deep Crystal Blue, Jet Black and Snowflake White Pearl. The refreshed Mazda3 will be showcased at the Bermaz Auto Showcase event which will take place from 11th – 15th October 2023 at Oval Concourse, 1 Utama Shopping Centre from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
