2017 Mazda3 Holds Line on Price, Raises Bar on Features
CARS.COM — Mazda refreshed its compact sedan for 2017 and when the Mazda3 goes on sale this week, it will start at $18,680, the same price as the outgoing version. At $19,930, however, the hatchback version starts at $550 more than in 2016 (all prices include destination).
Related: 2017 Mazda3: First Look
Among competitors priced for the new model year the Mazda3 is on the high side, behind only the Toyota Corolla, which starts at $19,365, followed by the Hyundai Elantra at $17,985 and the Chevrolet Cruze at $17,850. The 2016 versions of the Ford Focus and Honda Civic, meanwhile, start at $18,100 and $19,475, respectively.
Newly standard for 2017 on the Mazda3 are Mazda’s G-Vectoring Control technology that uses the engine to better match handling to driver inputs, beefed up sound insulation for a quieter cabin and a more upscale interior. Also new for 2017 is the availability of the Premium Package and i-ActiveSense safety suite, both previously only offered with the automatic.
Returning trim levels include Sport, Touring and Grand Touring. Mazda dropped the “i” and “s” designations for models equipped with the 2.0-liter and 2.5-liter engines, respectively, now offering only the smaller engine on the two lower trims and the larger engine on Grand Touring models. Sport models start at $18,680, Touring at $21,280 and Grand Touring at $23,980, with the stick shift; the six-speed automatic transmission adds $1,050 at all three levels.
Base models come with a 155-horsepower, 2.0-liter engine mated to a six-speed manual or automatic transmission, the latter of which is newly standard with a selectable Sport mode. Also new at the entry level are an electronic parking brake, power mirrors, remote keyless entry, push-button start and the Mazda Connect multimedia system with a 7-inch touch-screen. The $1,000 Preferred Equipment Package (available only on the sedan) adds 16-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, heated side mirrors with integrated turn signals, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rain-sensing windshield wipers, cloth sport seats and satin interior trim.
The Touring trim adds onto the Preferred Equipment Package with features such as 18-inch wheels, auto emergency braking, dual-zone climate control, advanced keyless entry, heated leatherette front seats and a leather-wrapped shifter knob and steering wheel. The $1,500 Popular Equipment Package adds a rear deck lid spoiler, shark-fin antenna, a premium Bose stereo and a power moonroof. The Touring hatchback version, which starts at $23,230, also upgrades to the 2.5-liter engine, which ups the horsepower to 184.
Grand Touring models further expand offerings to include LED fog lights, a head-up display, almond or black perforated leather seats, and black metallic trim on the grille and lower body elements. The $1,600 Premium Equipment Package exclusive to the Grand Touring level adds adaptive LED headlights, LED taillights and daytime running lights, paddle shifters on automatic models, navigation and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.
Two other options include the $1,100 i-ActiveSense safety suite, which bundles adaptive high beams, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, auto emergency braking and a new traffic sign recognition system. Mazda’s i-Eloop regenerative braking system is also available as an $800 stand-alone option on cars equipped with an automatic transmission.
