USA - The 2017 Mazda3 Goes on Sale This Month with a MSRP1 starting at $17,845.

The 2017 Mazda3 Goes on Sale This Month with a MSRP1 starting at $17,845

The current-generation Mazda3 has scored dozens of accolades globally, including being named a Car and Driver 10 Best-winner every year since its introduction, landing as a top-three World Car of the Year finalist and being named both as an Automobile Magazine “All-Star” and an ALG Residual Value Award winner.

For the 2017 model year, Mazda3 returns refined and repackaged with more standard content, including G-Vectoring Control, a Mazda-exclusive technology that uses the engine to refine steering and handling to match the driver’s inputs, and enhanced sound insulation to complement Mazda3’s redesigned, upscale interior.

Mazda3’s trim levels have also been simplified, and those seeking the engagement of driving a car equipped with a manual transmission will be happy to discover that the top-level, stick-shift Mazda3 Grand Touring will now be available with the Premium Package and i-ACTIVSENSE suite of advanced safety technologies. Both were previously reserved for Mazda3 models equipped with the available automatic transmission.

“We are more than happy to give our customers what they want with greater availability of the manual transmission,” said Robert Davis, senior VP, U.S. Operations, MNAO. “Mazda3 has a nearly 15-percent take rate for its manual transmission, with most of those buyers opting for higher trim levels. Where so many competitors have retreated in the segment, we see an opening to engage those who enjoy the driving experience without compromise.”

As with last year, Mazda3 comes in Sport, Touring and Grand Touring trim levels. But instead of models being designated as “i” (2.0-liter engine) or “s” (2.5-liter engine), Mazda has simplified the lineup with Sport and Touring models being equipped with the smaller engine and Touring 2.5 and Grand Touring models being equipped with the larger offering.

Entry Mazda3 Sport models come equipped with a 155-horsepower SKYACTIV-G 2.0-liter engine, paired with either a SKYACTIV-MT six-speed manual transmission or a SKYACTIV-DRIVE six-speed automatic that is newly standard with a selectable Sport Mode toggle switch that recalibrates the transmission for more spirited driving. Additionally, Sport models come equipped with a new electronic parking brake, power mirrors, variable-intermittent wipers, power windows with a one-touch driver’s window, power door locks, remote keyless entry, push-button start, and a seven-inch MAZDA CONNECT^TM display that integrates Bluetooth hands-free phone pairing and audio streaming as well as HD Radio, USB audio devices, Pandora, Aha and other functions. MAZDA CONNECT^TM can be controlled via steering wheel-mounted buttons, voice commands, touchscreen or via Mazda’s Commander control knob.

Mazda3 Sport sedan models can be further upgraded with the Preferred Equipment Package, which includes 16-inch alloy wheels, heated side mirrors with integrated turn signal lamps, Advanced Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, rain-sensing wipers, automatic on/off headlights, bright beltline trim, premium cloth-trimmed sport seats and satin trim throughout the interior, among other equipment. These features are not available on five-door Mazda3 Sport models except for the 16-inch alloy wheels, which are standard equipment.

Mazda3 Touring sedan and five-door models build upon the Sport with Preferred Equipment Package with a new-design 18-inch wheel package, Smart City Brake Support, dual-zone automatic climate control, Mazda Advanced Keyless Entry, six-way power driver’s seat with manual lumbar adjustment, heated leatherette front seats and a leather-wrapped shifter knob and steering wheel.

Mazda3 Touring sedan buyers can also opt for more features with the Popular Equipment Package that adds a rear decklid spoiler, shark-fin antenna, BOSE^® nine-speaker Premium audio system, SiriusXM satellite radio with a four-month subscription, power moonroof, overhead sunglasses holder and illuminated vanity mirrors.

Where the five-door model diverges is with the Mazda3 Touring 2.5 model, which comes with the 184-horsepower, SKYACTIV-G 2.5 engine and builds on the Mazda3 Touring model to include a power moonroof, sunglasses holder and illuminated vanity mirrors as well. Five-door models add the BOSE^® Premium audio system with SiriusXM in the Grand Touring trim level.

For both the sedan and five-door, all Mazda3 Grand Touring models come equipped with LED fog lights, an analog tachometer, Active Driving Display head-up display, almond or black perforated leather seats and black metallic trim on the grille and front fascia.

Additional features include the Premium Equipment Package that adds self-leveling, bi-LED headlights with Adaptive Front-lighting System; LED combination tail lights; LED daytime running lights; steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters on models equipped with the automatic transmission; navigation; and an auto-dimming mirror with Homelink.

Building upon the Premium Equipment Package, buyers can select the i-ACTIVSENSE safety suite that includes High-Beam Control, Lane-Departure Warning, new Lane Keep Assist, Mazda Radar Cruise Control, Smart Brake Support and the new Traffic Sign Recognition system. Lastly, the i-ELOOP regenerative braking system is now a standalone option that only comes with on models with an automatic transmission.

MSRP[2] for all models is as follows:

	Sedan	Five-door
Mazda3 Sport 6MT	$17,845	$19,095
Mazda3 Sport 6AT	$18,895	$20,145
• Sport Preferred Equipment Package	$1,000
Mazda3 Touring 6MT	$20,445
Mazda3 Touring 6AT	$21,495	$22,245
• Touring Popular Equipment Package	$1,500
Mazda3 Touring 2.5 6MT		$22,395
Mazda3 Touring 2.5 6AT		$23,445
Mazda3 Grand Touring 6MT	$23,145	$23,895
Mazda3 Grand Touring 6AT	$24,195	$24,945
• Grand Touring Premium Equipment Package	$1,600	$1,600
• i-ACTIVSENSE Package	$1,100	$1,100
• i-ELOOP (6AT only)	$800	$800

The 2017 Mazda3 arrives at dealers starting this week.

USA - Mazda takes two spots on Car and Driver 10Best list.

- Mazda Makes the Top Ten List for 13th Consecutive Year -

The 2015 Mazda3 and 2015 Mazda6 have been named to Car and Driver's 2015 10Best Cars list, marking the 31^st and 32^nd times a Mazda vehicle has been awarded a spot on the long-running, highly coveted Top Ten list.  

This also records the brand's 13^th consecutive annual appearance.  Mazda is the only company to have two cars named to the list.

Completely redesigned last year, both Mazda3 and Mazda6 feature the full suite of efficient SKYACTIV®^[1]technologies and wear the handsome character lines of the KODO "Soul of Motion" design language.  

Both vehicles also feature a slew of technology with the safety-first i-ACTIVSENSE, capacitor-based regenerative engine braking i-ELOOP system and MAZDA CONNECT™,  a next-generation, driving-focused in-vehicle connectivity system. 

"Mazda is honored to again be part of Car and Driver's 10Best list, a distinction which proves that the best cars don't have to be the most expensive, most powerful and most out-of-reach for consumers," said Jim O'Sullivan, president and CEO, Mazda North American Operations (MNAO).  

"Both recently redesigned, Mazda3 and Mazda6 entered their respective segments as already established dynamic-driving benchmarks but also surpassed expectations to lead the way in fuel efficiency, safety and in-car technologies."

The 10Best nomination process has three official restrictions: the vehicle cannot exceed an $80,000 price tag; a sample vehicle must be available for testing by mid-September of the current calendar year; and the vehicle must be on sale to the public by January of the following calendar year. 

"10Best list is made up of vehicles that offer the most value, that elegantly and comprehensively fulfill their missions, and that engage their drivers in spirted conversation," said Eddie Alterman, Car and Driver Editor.  "Since their introductions as all-new 2014 SKYACTIV models, the Mazda3 and Mazda6 embody this spirit and made the list for the second year in a row."

Dynamic, desirable and dents wallets only slightly, Mazda's best-selling vehicle worldwide, the 2015 Mazda3 compact car is available in two's: body styles – four- and five-door; transmissions – six-speed manual and automatic; and engines – SKYACTIV-G 2.0-liter and 2.5-liter. New-for-2015 is the added availability of the SKYACTIV-MT six-speed manual transmission for the larger engine, which offers consumers the choice of eight different model configurations. 

Also, regardless of vehicle build, Mazda3 offers high fuel economy – up to an EPA-estimated 41 highway mpg for sedans and 40 highway mpg for five-doors – when outfitted with the 2.0L engine.  The brawnier 2.5L offers an estimated 40 highway mpg for sedans while five-doors are EPA-rated at up to 39 highway mpg (with available i-ELOOP).  Pricing for the 2015 Mazda3 starts at $16,945[2] MSRP.

The 2015 Mazda6 continues to push the vanilla-flavored envelope of the mid-size sedan segment with its grin-inducing driving dynamics, chiseled-chin design, award-winning safety and best-in-class highway fuel economy (40 mpg[3]).  Starting at $21,190 MSRP, Mazda6 is currently fitted with a SKYACTIV-G 2.5-liter engine, which can be paired with either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. 

Both vehicles have earned a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) and received a 5-Star Safety Rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Latest five-door compact revealed at simultaneous events across the globe

• Latest five-door compact revealed at simultaneous events across the globe
• Mazda’s bestseller joins next generation featuring SKYACTIV Technology and KODO design
• New model highlights successful company turnaround and positive outlook

Mazda introduced its all-new Mazda3 hatchback yesterday (Wednesday 26 June) at several locations around the world. Hundreds of journalists, bloggers and social media attended a fanfare-filled series of events, which took place simultaneously at five locations including three European cities.

London, Istanbul and St. Petersburg were chosen (along with New York and Melbourne) for their insightful, spirited and stylish character, which nicely mirrors the properties of its new five-door compact. Mazda’s top-selling model of all time becomes the third member of a new generation featuring the automaker’s “KODO – Soul of Motion” design and its full range of convention-defying SKYACTIV Technology. The new Mazda3 thereby joins its award-winning siblings: the Mazda CX-5, a compact SUV launched in 2012, and the mid-sized Mazda6.

Consisting of lightweight engines, transmissions, body and chassis, SKYACTIV Technology was developed by Mazda from the ground up as the basis for ultra-efficient vehicles. It has also helped put Mazda back on track as a business. The improvements achieved through SKYACTIV innovation have considerably enhanced the efficiency of its manufacturing and development processes.

“Everything about the all-new Mazda3 is exciting, from the way it looks and feels to its dynamic performance, nimble responsiveness, reliability and operating costs,” says Mazda Motor Europe President and CEO Jeff Guyton. “We already have big expectations for this model’s success in terms of sales, but I suspect it may even surprise us.”

The new compact, which makes up almost one-third of Mazda’s global sales, is a vital part of company plans. Already the target of well over 130 awards since first launched in 2003, Mazda was looking to again raise the bar for this key passenger car segment. In addition to KODO styling, the new Mazda3 features an interior that was completely redesigned for maximum comfort and superb usability. The company even offers an in-vehicle connectivity concept for its new model. Featuring AhaTM radio, among other things, it’s one of the first cars in the C segment to take occupants online.

The new Mazda3 is also the latest model developed according to Sustainable Zoom-Zoom, Mazda’s strategy to build fuel-efficient and safe cars that are still remarkably fun to drive. It is therefore available with i-stop, the world’s fastest idle-stop system, and i-ELOOP, Mazda’s brake energy regeneration system. Performance, meanwhile, is impressive thanks to the all-new engines and transmissions. And with a number of other SKYACTIV innovations adapted to the smaller, leaner packaging of the compact Mazda3, it’s got the handling to match and should be one of the safest compacts available when it goes on sale in Europe this fall.