As Mazda looks to lift its way up the market, the automaker has announced a series of price hikes for its 2023 lineup that started with the CX-5 and new CX-50 SUVs, and now includes the sedan and hatchback. Mazda3. While the sedan’s starting price increases significantly with the discontinuation of the base model’s 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine option, most models see modest increases. In exchange for the higher entry price comes a small increase in horsepower and fuel economy from the standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine.
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What’s new?
The most notable update for the 2023 Mazda3 is the departure of the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine found in the base 2022 2.0 S sedan; which has now been replaced by the 2.5-liter engine with 186 horsepower. As a result, the starting price for the Mazda3 rises $1,400 to $23,615 (all prices include a $1,065 destination charge). The 2.5-liter engine adds marginal power and efficiency, up to 191 hp from 186, while EPA-estimated mpg inches up to 28/37/31 mpg city/highway/combined – a slight improvement over the model’s 26 exit Rating /35/30.
The vehicle’s available 2.5-liter turbocharged engine, which makes up to 250 hp on premium fuel and 227 hp on regular, returns in the top-of-the-line 2.5 Turbo and 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus trims of the Mazda3 unchanged for 2023 Most models come with a standard six-speed automatic transmission, although the Premium hatchback also offers a six-speed manual. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is available or standard on higher trims.
Shortcuts, price and release date
Starting prices for the 2023 Mazda3 sedan and hatchback increase by $450-$500 on all trims except the Premium with an automatic transmission, which marks the biggest jump. The $1,700 increase comes as a result of Mazda dropping the Premium FWD option for 2023, leaving AWD as the standard configuration. Hatchback models are expected to arrive in the fall, followed by sedans this winter.
- 5 S: $23,615 (sedan); $24,615 (hatchback); $450 increase
- 5 S Choose: $25,015, $26,015; $500 increase
- Preferred 5 S’s: $26,615; $27,615; $450 increase
- 5S Carbon Edition: $28,265; $29,265; $450 increase
- 5 S Premium (manual transmission): $30,215 (hatchback only); $450 increase
- 5 S Premium (automatic): $30,465; $31,465; $1700 increase
- 5 Turbo: $33,515 (hatchback only); $550 increase
- 5 Turbo Premium Plus: $35,065; $36,365; $550 increase
Standard features for the base 2.5 S include a range of safety and driver assistance features, cloth seats, an 8.8-inch central touchscreen and an eight-speaker sound system inside, while the exterior gets a matte grille, LED headlights and 16- silver inch wheels. The 2.5 S Select adds a blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, keyless entry, 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels and door mirror indicators, while the interior swaps cloth seats for faux leather and adds a wraparound steering wheel. with leather and shift key. Moving up to the Preferred 2.5 S gets you a power moonroof, heated front seats with eight-way power adjustment and lumbar support, and gloss black exterior accents.
Previously only offered with standard FWD, the 2.5 S Carbon Edition gains AWD for 2023. The model comes exclusively with Polymetal Gray exterior paint and red leather interior, and adds a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system, black 18-inch alloy wheels inches and heated door mirrors in gloss black.
The AWD-only 2.5 S Premium is based on the Preferred with a premium audio system, full-color head-up display and integrated navigation system. The sedan offers black or white leather seats, while the hatchback gets black or red leather. Exterior differences include 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels and unique LED lighting for the headlights and taillights.
The 2.5 Turbo comes with a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel and integrated navigation inside, while the exterior adds gloss black 18-inch wheels that match the grille and door mirrors. The striking 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus gains a rear spoiler, plus more standard driver assistance features, including automatic reverse braking, Traffic Jam Assist and a 360-degree camera system. It also improves the integrated navigation system with an active driving display and traffic sign recognition.
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Against the Competition
The Mazda3’s rivals are compact sedans and hatchbacks including the Kia Forte, Subaru Impreza and Toyota Corolla (compare here). All currently undercut the Mazda3’s new starting price: the 2023 Kia Forte starts at $20,585; 2022 Subaru Impreza at $20,290 for the sedan and $20,790 for the hatchback; and the 2022 Toyota Corolla at $21,520 for the sedan and $22,260 for the hatchback.
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