Thailand is the next country to officially launch the facelifted Mazda 3, with four variants on offer – 2.0E, 2.0 C, 2.0S and a top-spec 2.0SP. Prices range from 847,000 baht (RM106,687) to 1,119,000 baht (RM140,948), and all variants are offered in both sedan or hatchback body styles.
Under the bonnet, the familiar E85-capable (Thailand market) 2.0 litre SkyActiv-G petrol engine continues to be of service, providing 165 PS at 6,000 rpm and 210 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm. Drive is sent to the front wheels via a six-speed SkyActiv-Drive automatic.
By now, the Mazda 3’s new styling shouldn’t be alien to anyone, but we’ll do a brief recap anyway. At the front, the redesigned grille features a repositioned Mazda logo and a thicker chrome surround, with the latter meeting up with the new LED headlamps with integrated DRLs (certain variants get halogen projector units instead).
As for the rear, the sedan remains almost identical to before, while the hatchback gets a new bumper with a reshaped rear fog lamp and reflector. Depending on the variant chosen, the Mazda 3 will come with either 16- or 18-inch alloy wheels. Buyers also get to choose from seven body colours – Meteor Gray, Aluminium Metallic, Eternal Blue, Jet Black, Snow Flake, Soul Red and Titanium Flash.
Moving inside, new items include the restyled multifunction steering wheel that is nearly identical to that on the CX-9, and an electronic parking brake, which replaces the handbrake on the outgoing model. Elsewhere, the Active Driving Display (heads-up display) fitted on select variants has been enhanced to display in full colour.
Drivers will still have access to automatic air-conditoning, as well as the MZD Connect infotainment system, which is linked to the 7-inch touchscreen display on the dashboard and Commander Control knob on the centre console. Features such as keyless operation, drive mode selector, automatic headlamps, automatic wipers, paddle shifters and cruise control are all available (variant dependant).
As we’ve sampled in Japan previously, the new Mazda 3 comes standard with Mazda’s SkyActiv-Vehicle Dynamics suite that includes the new G-Vectoring Control system. The system varies engine torque in response to steering inputs, subtly controlling lateral and longitudinal acceleration forces to ensure a more direct and responsive drive.
Safety-wise, the Mazda 3 comes with up to six airbags, ABS with EBD, brake assist, Dynamic Stability Control, traction control, Hill Launch Assist and Emergency Signal System. Higher-end variants come with the i-Activsense suite, which tags on Adaptive LED Headlamps (ALH), blind spot monitor, rear cross traffic alert, Smart City Brake Support (front and rear), lane departure warning system, lane keep assist, Driver Attention Alert and Mazda Radar Cruise Control.
With the debut of the facelifted Mazda 3 in Thailand, it shouldn’t be too long before the rival to the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla Altis is launched here in Malaysia, with such an event expected to take place within this year. Excited?
GALLERY: Mazda 3 facelift driven in Japan
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Mazda 3 and Toyota ALtis are way overpriced in Malaysia. Tiny C segment cars.
Might as well add just a bit more and buy a Nissan Teana. Now, Nissan Teana can get after discounts RM120k. This is a proper D segment car, spacious, comfortable and 6 airbags.
UMW Toyota and Bermaz really got nothing in their otak to price their C segment so close to D segment cars.
Oh btw, Even the Honda Accord, after discounts can get RM130k. Why would anyone buy the Mazda 3 in Malaysia?
Malaysians cannot forget, just last year alone Mazda raised prices 3 times.
For a company to do this during hard times, when rakyat is suffering, is pathetic
Mazda 3 overpriced? Full spec is RM125k in comparison to Honda that is RM135k. Honda might have turbo but no honda-sense and start/stop feature as compared to Mazda
mazda salesman all upset
i think u r nissan salesman too, keep promoting teana since day 1…LPPL
As if price is the only consideration.
Yay! Facelift! Another reason to increase price. Let’s see how else can con more money out of Malaysian .
1998, RM 1 = THB 10.20.
2017, RM 1 = THB 7.95.
December brought childrens to dannon theme park ( Thailand ) ..they don accept RM
Just like we dun accept USD, Euro, Pound… oh wai
that center stack is so 3 series-ish…looks good though , but out of the altis and the civic , the mazda 3 is definitely the least refined…
Try the facelifted ones with the g vectoring control ..i’ll wait…
The new Honda Civic already has this feature as standard equipment. Agile Handling Assist utilizes brake vectoring to improve cornering. Mazda is late to the game.
Mazda raise prices but followed with more goodies in the cars. Other makers just raise price and nothing added at all , instead they give lame reasons like forex and machine cost , for locally made car hero.
Toyota raise prices due to *re-adding* VSC and airbags. lol
Perodua raise price due to good sales. And decided not to raise price expecting tough year in 2017.
One thing for sure, the Mazda 3 is a bit more advanced than the Honda Civic (excluding the turbo engine).
syukur malaysia masih murah…seriously….
Mazda entry level premium d..your Hondas and Toyotas cannot compare anymore la..go check out the fit and finish of the facelifted cars and the new cx9 and cx5..checked out one on an overseas trip last week..they have gone upmarket..complaint all you want..people who want will still buy them don’t be butthurt your H and T badge not on the same level anymore…….
Mazda 3 is not spacious and it is a total let down in that area.
to be honest…are your kids six feet tall? ppl nowadays complain car not big enough for kids etc when i remember last time my dad’s morris is much much smaller
If you want reliability, buy a Toyota Altis.
If you want RV, buy a Honda Civic.
If you are looking at Value for Monet, buy a Hyundai Ioniq.
If you want Character & stand out from the crowd, go for the Mazda 3.
If you don’t want everything, buy Preve.
If u wan a balance of everything (jack of all trades), buy Preve.
Those safety features… confirm kill Altis for good.
Altis already dead duck long ago. Even uncles won’t touch this car.
Everybody know is dead duck. Just that with this released, probably its grave also kena removed.
wow rm140k for high spec…ouch
i hope bermaz dont remove g-vectoring when they reach our market ^^
The new Mazda 3 is the only one I’m looking forward to because it’s the only C-segment Japanese hatchback. Unless Honda decides to bring in the new Civic hatchback, which they probably won’t.
Besides, the new Civic hatchback design is…. controversial to say the least.
If only they CKD the 2.5L variant.
Nothing mentioned about the nvh improvement in this facelift. No doubt is a fun car to drive..But the tyre noice is ready bad..Worst than a b segment car. Not acceptable for a car >100k…
Maybe because of the 18″ rim, they should provide option of 17″ or 16″ like overseas.
look forward for Mazda 3 2017.
Hope Bermaz don’t cut the I-active sense package here, bring in full package and sell 130k, I will buy one immediately.
any news/rumors when this facelift model will come out in malaysia?