2017 Mazda3: First Look
Competes with: Chevrolet Cruze, Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Toyota Corolla
Looks like: The 2016 Mazda3 looked at itself in the mirror and said, “I’m good enough, I’m smart enough — and doggone it, people like me.”
Drivetrain: 155-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder; 184-hp, 2.5-liter four-cylinder; transmissions TBD
Hits dealers: Fall 2016
CARS.COM — Last redesigned for 2014, the Mazda3 returns refreshed for the 2017 model year. The compact sedan and hatchback received minor styling updates inside and out, with the biggest changes coming in the form of performance and safety features.
Related: 2015 Mazda3 Review
Exterior
Although you’ll probably have to squint to notice the difference, Mazda has made several exterior styling tweaks to the new Mazda3. It gets a new front grille, which combines with LED headlights for the brand’s signature wing design. Mazda said styling changes — such as lowering the position of the emblem and license plate holder, and widening the V-pattern — are intended to suggest a lower, wider stance and give the car a more aggressive countenance.
Other exterior updates include a new rear bumper for the hatchback (the sedan’s carries over), a new design for the available 18-inch wheels (the 16-inch wheels’ design carries over) and two new colors: Machine Gray Metallic and Eternal Blue Mica.
Interior
Changes inside, while still subtle, are more numerous. They include a reshaped instrument panel and console; a redesigned heated leather steering wheel with a simplified switch layout and ergonomic grip similar to that of the 2016 CX-9 SUV; an electric parking brake positioned on the console; a brighter, full-color instrument cluster said to be easier for the driver to read; door pockets nearly tripled in length to 15.7 inches, enabling them to accommodate a 1-liter bottle; and flaps added to the console cupholders to prevent spilling. Two new types of black fabric upholstery are also available, along with black leather with dark-brown accents or off-white leather.
Under the Hood
Both powertrains will carry over from the outgoing model: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder good for 155 hp and 150 pounds-feet of torque, and a 2.5-liter four-cylinder good for 184 hp and 185 pounds-feet of torque. A Mazda spokeswoman told Cars.com that transmission options on the Mazda3 — currently available with a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic – will change slightly and will be announced closer to launch.
The arrival of the 2017 Mazda3 will mark the debut of Mazda’s G-Vectoring Control, which the automaker says uses the engine to enhance chassis performance and enable a smoother transition of G-forces when braking, turning and accelerating. Mazda said various other components have also been fine-tuned to allow more precision control and ride comfort on long drives.
Safety
As part of its i-ActivSense suite of advanced safety technologies, Mazda has added to its auto emergency braking system a new forward-view camera that expands the speed range within which the system can detect pedestrians in the roadway and stop; that range is now 9 to 99 mph. Mazda says it has also added new equipment to its Traffic Sign Recognition system that improves the vehicle’s recognition of road signs and speed limits, which it then reports to the driver.
These updates join blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane keep assist, automatic high beams, adaptive headlights, lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control among available safety features.
