2017 Mazda 3 gets revised styling and new technology
The Mazda 3 gets some mid-life revisions aimed at improving its handling, comfort and refinement
Mazda has unveiled a mid-life facelift of its Mazda 3 five-door family hatchback and four-door Fastback (saloon). The popular rival to the Volkswagen Golf and SEAT Leon has received some minor styling changes, gets new technology and a revised interior.
There’s a new-look three-dimensional design to the front grille and tweaks to the fog lights surrounds. At the back, the bumper has been resigned, while the wing mirrors are also new and feature wraparound indicators.
Inside the Mazda 3, there’s a new design for the trim inserts on the dash plus better quality switch panels and door handles. The manual handbrake has been replaced with an electric version, which frees up space between the front seats. Also new is a full-colour head-up display. If you get heated seats, the revised leather-wrapped steering wheel is also heated.
The current engine range is carried across so you can choose from two SKYACTIV-G petrol engines – a 2.0-litre powerunit developing 118bhp and 163bhp – and two SKYACTIV-D diesel – 1.5-litre developing 103bhp and a 2.2-litre with 146bhp – engines.
Both of the diesel engines now get Transient Control which delivers a more reactive accelerator pedal and reduces engine knock at start-up and at low-speed acceleration. Additional noise insulation has been fitted to the ‘3’, along with more damping and improved door seals, all to improve refinement.
To enhance the Mazda 3’s drive, it now gets SKYACTIV-VEHICLE DYNAMICS which adjusts the amount of torque being sent to the front wheels by monitoring steering and throttle inputs. It can reduce torque to each of the wheels to optimise performance and grip.
Both of these features were recently added to the updated Mazda 6.
The Mazda 3’s suspension has also been tweaked with revisions to the MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension.
Available in a choice of three trim levels - SE, SE-L & Sport – and eight exterior body colours, the 2017 Mazda 3 goes on sale on 1 October 2016 and will be priced from £17,595 to £24,195.
