Ahead of a July 2023 Australian on-sale date, the 2024 Mazda3 has been revealed. A mild model year update aimed at making the car more appealing, the updated Mazda3 has added a raft of new convenience features and more frugal engines. But, for enthusiasts will lament that the range has moved to an automatic-only lineup, with the six-speed manual transmission no longer available.
Vinesh Bhindi, Managing Director Mazda Australia, welcomed the new specifications of the updated Mazda3, commenting: “Mazda3 consistently represents a large portion of its segment’s market share, as buyers from all walks of life resonate with its elegant styling, sharp driving dynamics and eminent usability.”
“These new changes only add to the desirability of the nameplate, which now features more tech and visual appeal than ever before,” Mr Bhindi added.
Full local pricing and specifications are yet for the 2024 Mazda3 are to be announced, but headline new features have been announced. Wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto are now standard equipment on the G20 Touring and above, while these models also add wireless phone charging and move to faster charging USB-C ports.
The G25 GT and above also move to a larger 10.25-inch infotainment screen that features in the CX-5, CX-8 and CX-9. Buyers of the grades below the G25 GT can upgrade to the larger screen from the standard 8.8-inch unit by selecting the optional Vision Technology Package (pricing is yet to be confirmed). Across the range, a new ‘Ceramic Metallic’ paint colour replaces ‘Sonic Silver’.
Elsewhere in the lineup, the ‘G20’ 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine from the company’s ‘SkyActiv’ engine family has adopted new cylinder-deactivation technology and other changes to aid fuel consumption. As a result, the claimed combined fuel consumption for the hatchback is 5.9L/100km and the sedan is 5.8L/100km – down from 6.2L/100km and 6.1L/100km respectively. The 2.0-litre engine’s outputs of 114kW of power and 200Nm of torque aren’t expected to change.
The formerly available ‘SkyActiv-X’ and mild-hybrid ‘eSkyActiv-G’ engines have been culled from the lineup, thanks to a lack of demand. The former was only available on the top-spec Astina and accounted for less than one per cent of sales, while the latter only accounted for four per cent of 2.0-litre sales.
Finally, Mazda has confirmed that the whole 2024 Mazda3 range will use a six-speed automatic transmission, with the six-speed manual offered on most grades to be unfortunately cut from the lineup, like the SkyActiv-X and eSkyActiv-G engines thanks to a lack of demand – the manual makes up just 3 per cent of total current Mazda3 sales.
The current Mazda3 range is priced from $28,160 plus on-road costs for the entry-level G20 Pure automatic, while pricing is expected to rise for the upgraded model when it arrives.
The updated Mazda3 will go on sale in July 2023. Stay tuned to DiscoverAuto for the latest automotive news and reviews.
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