Mazda 3: Variants explained

Mazda last year launched the facelifted 3. The car was launched in its hatchback and sedan guise. Now there are quite a few differences between the outgoing car as well as the new one. Obviously, it's not a full generation change but a minor facelift. The car is locally assembled with the help of CKD units. Changes include a wider grille that now merges into the headlights, LED fog lights, a bigger logo and lower as well as bigger air dam that rests above the reprofiled bumper. On the sedan, there is a fog lamp given at the back while the hatchback receives a reflector as well. All trims of the Mazda 3 now get an electronic parking brake while the central console now hosts two cup holders along with storage space for the mobile phone. The instrument cluster is now crisper and the steering wheel too is new. Both the high trims of the hatchback and sedan receive head-up display. The boisterous 2.0-litre petrol engine now receives a higher compression and is claimed to be more fuel efficient as well. It still makes 162 PS of power and 210 Nm of torque.

Mazda still offers its 3 sedan with a 6-speed automatic transmission. This transmission also benefits from the stop-start system as well as a Sport mode. The Mazda is the most feature-laden car in its segment and in fact, challenges a few others from segments above when it comes to the safety kit on offer. Here are how the three available trims stack up

Mazda 3 sedan GL
 

Mazda’s entry point is the GL trim sedan. It gets halogen projector headlights, bulb DRLs, LED front fog lamps, rear fog lamps, regular taillamps and 205/60 16-inch alloys. The power foldable outside mirrors also have the integrated turn indicators. Manual single zone air-conditioning, manually adjustable front seats, fabric trim, 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with CD/MP3 as well as Bluetooth compatibility and six audio speakers are part of the GL’s equipment list. A multifunction steering wheel, commander control, reverse camera with guidelines, Mazda’s G-vectoring control system, two USB audio inputs and 60:40 split rear seats complete the feature line. As part of the safety kit, the Mazda 3 GL receives six airbags, Anti Lock Braking, Dynamic Stability Control, Electronic Brake Force Distribution, Traction Control, Emergency Brake System, Hill Start Assist, Emergency Stop Signal, ISOFIX child seat mounts, seat belts with pretensioners for the front passengers and 3-point seat belts with ELR. It is priced at RM 1110,225 on-road.

Mazda 3 sedan High

This, as the name suggests, is the top spec trim of the 3 sedan and gets all the features from the GL trim. Above that, it also receives LED DRLs, LED projector headlamps, LED tail lamps, auto on/off lights, auto levelling function for the headlights and rain sensing wipers. Head-up display, keyless entry, paddle shifters, auto air-conditioning, power adjustable driver’s seat, leather trim and GPS navigation round off the interior features. The safety package apart from what is offered in the GL includes Smart City Brake Support, Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. It is priced at RM 128,225 on-road.

Mazda 3 hatchback High

While previously Mazda never used to offer the hatchback with the almost the same features as the sedan, it now does. The Mazda 3 hatchback in its High guise mirrors the features of the similarly-specced sedan. The major difference is in the length of the cars with the sedan at 4,580 mm while the hatch is a good 100 mm shorter. Interestingly, the hatchback is heavier than the sedan at 1,344kg. The Mazda 3 hatchback is priced at RM 125,225.