The latest Mazda 3 will come exclusively with an automatic transmission, after the manual option accounted for just three per cent of 2022's sales. Its non-electrified versions were the only ones offering this option.

The automobile lineup will also bid farewell to its mild-hybrid variants, the G20e Evolve and X20 Astina, resulting in a significant reduction of available models - from 14 down to eight.

Consequently, the remaining Mazda 3 models available locally are now powered by 2.0-litre and 2.5-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engines, which come with slight efficiency enhancements and remain paired with the unchanged six-speed automatic transmission.

Prices for the upgraded Mazda 3 have seen an increase of up to $2160, with the base model now exceeding $30,000 before on-road costs - a first in the model's twenty-year history.

New features include a larger 10.25-inch Mazda Connect infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and a wireless phone charger for top-of-the-range variants. The enlarged screen, previously 8.8 inches, is a standard feature for the G25 GT and Astina. Lower-tier models can opt for it as part of the Vision Technology package for an additional $2000, a $500 increase from the previous year due to the upgraded technology.

Pricing

2023 Mazda 3 G20 Pure: $30,320 (+$2160)

2023 Mazda 3 G20 Evolve: $31,870 (+$2160)

2023 Mazda 3 G20 Touring: $34,520 (+$2310)

2023 Mazda 3 G25 Evolve SP: $34,520 (+$1410)

2023 Mazda 3 G25 GT: $38,420 (+$1610)

2023 Mazda 3 G25 Astina: $42,320 (+$2010)

All prices are before on-road costs, and sedan and hatch models cost the same.

Engine Performance and Fuel Efficiency

The Mazda 3 G20 models are equipped with a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine, delivering 114kW of power and 200Nm of torque. The G25 models, on the other hand, feature a 2.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine with 138kW and 252Nm.

All 2023 Mazda 3 models are exclusively mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, with the drive transmitted to the front wheels.

Cylinder deactivation and "other improvements to the combustion process" are features of all Mazda 3 G20 models, which the manufacturer claims reduce CO2 emissions without compromising performance or drivability.

Fuel consumption for G20 models has reportedly improved by five per cent, with the hatch consuming 5.9L/100km and the sedan consuming 5.8L/100km. G25 models also come with cylinder deactivation, achieving fuel consumption rates of 6.5L/100km and 6.6L/100km for the sedan and hatch, respectively.

Safety

The Mazda 3 lineup has been awarded a five-star ANCAP safety rating, and includes seven airbags across the range. All models also come with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty and a five-year roadside assistance program.

All 2023 Mazda 3 models come standard with the following safety features:

Autonomous emergency braking (forward and reverse)

Lane departure warning

Lane-keep assist

Blind-spot monitoring

Rear cross-traffic alert

Traffic sign recognition

Adaptive cruise control with stop/go

Reversing camera

Rear parking sensors

Tyre pressure monitoring

Front, front-side and curtain airbags

Driver’s knee airbag

The available Vision Technology package ($2000 on G20 Pure, G20 Evolve, G20 Touring, and G25 Evolve SP; $1500 on G25 GT) adds the following:

Surround-view camera

Cruising & Traffic Support

Driver monitoring

Front cross-traffic alert

Front parking sensors

Warranty and Servicing

The service schedule for all Mazda 3 variants has been adjusted to 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first. A capped-price servicing scheme for five years is offered by Mazda, with costs for the G20 and G25 models totaling $2,142 and $2,168 over five years, respectively.

Dimensions

The hatchback Mazda 3 has a wheelbase of 2725 millimeters, is 4460mm long, 1795mm wide, and 1435mm high. The sedan matches the hatch’s wheelbase and width but is slightly larger in other dimensions. The boot capacity of the hatch is 295 litres, while the sedan offers a larger 444-litre cargo space.

2023 Mazda 3 G20 Pure standard features:

16-inch alloy wheels

8.8-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite navigation and digital radio

7.0-inch TFT driver instrument display

Eight-speaker sound system

Push-button start

Manual air conditioning

Automatic LED headlights with auto high-beam

LED tail-lights

Black cloth seat trim

Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter

Electric parking brake with auto-hold

Rear parking sensors (with reversing camera)

Auto-folding electric side mirrors

Rain-sensing wipers

Forward and reverse autonomous emergency braking

Lane-keep assist

Lane departure warning

Adaptive cruise control with stop and go

Blind-spot monitoring

Rear cross-traffic alert

Driver attention alert

Tyre pressure monitoring

Traffic-sign recognition

Seven airbags (including driver’s knee)

2023 Mazda 3 G20 Evolve adds (over G20 Pure):

18-inch alloy wheels (metallic grey finish)

Dual-zone climate control with rear air vents

Auto-dimming rear-view mirror

Paddle shifters (auto only)

Rear centre armrest

2023 Mazda 3 G20 Touring adds (over G20 Evolve):

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (new)

Wireless phone charging (new)

USB-C charging ports (new)

Black leather upholstery

Illuminated vanity mirrors

Overhead sunglass storage box

2023 Mazda 3 G25 Evolve SP adds (over G20 Evolve):

2.5-litre G25 engine

18-inch black alloy wheels

Black side mirror caps

Black grille

Black cloth seats with red accents

Keyless entry

10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar and memory

Side mirrors with memory and reverse tilt-down functions

Auto-dimming driver’s side mirror

2023 Mazda 3 G25 GT adds (over G25 Evolve SP):

18-inch metallic grey alloy wheels

10.25-inch infotainment screen (new)

Black leather upholstery

12-speaker Bose premium sound system

Heated front seats, steering wheel and side mirrors

Black exterior highlights deleted

2023 Mazda 3 G25 Astina adds (over G25 GT):

18-inch black metallic alloy wheels

Adaptive LED headlights

Glass sunroof with electric tilt/slide

Black, Burgundy or Pure White leather (depending on body style)

Vision Technology package, which includes:

360-degree camera

Front cross-traffic alert

Front parking sensors

Driver monitoring

Cruising & Traffic Support

The optional Vision Package, available for $2000 (up $500) on Pure, Evolve, Touring and Evolve SP, or $1500 on GT, adds:

10.25-inch infotainment screen (Pure, Evolve, Touring, Evolve SP only)

360-degree camera

Front cross-traffic alert

Front parking sensors

Driver monitoring

Cruising & Traffic Support