Farewell to the base 2.0-liter engine on the 2023 Mazda 3, as Mazda has officially announced this week. The new base engine is the Skyactiv-G 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder, which now boasts a five-horsepower increase and better fuel efficiency for 2023.
The most affordable Mazda 3 for 2023 will be the 2.5 S trim, priced at $23,615—an uptick of $1,400 from the previous year. This increase comes with a notable enhancement. Mazda’s base 2.5-liter engine now delivers 191 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque.
Mazda’s advancements in the larger engine’s cylinder deactivation technology have enabled them to achieve an estimated EPA fuel economy rating of 28 mpg city, 37 mpg highway, and 31 mpg combined. The new 2.5-liter engine now matches the previous 2.0-liter in most aspects, except for highway mileage where it has improved by 1 mile-per-gallon.
Conversely, the top-tier 2023 Mazda 3—a fully equipped turbocharged AWD Premium Plus hatchback—will commence at $36,365 before any additional paint options like Soul Red Crystal Metallic paint ($595). Thankfully, the top-spec 2.5-liter turbo engine remains unchanged in pricing, with models starting at $33,515.
2023 Mazda 3 Mazda
The six-speed manual transmission remains available, limited to the 2.5 S Premium hatch variant—the highest-spec model with the 2.5-liter naturally aspirated engine. The starting price for these in 2023 is $30,215, quite a significant amount even for a well-equipped trim. It raises the question, could there not be a more affordable manual Mazda 3, or perhaps a sedan option?
Mazda has decided to make its Carbon Edition trim more widely available due to its high demand, now offering this package—including the appealing Polymetal Grey exteriors and red leather interiors—with all-wheel drive as an option. The Carbon Edition is accessible on 2.5-liter naturally aspirated engine sedans and hatchbacks featuring a six-speed automatic transmission. It boasts a 12-speaker Bose audio system, black 18-inch alloy wheels, and gloss-black heated door mirrors, on top of the existing features of the Preferred trim such as heated eight-way-adjustable front seats and a power moonroof.
If there were a higher demand for manual transmissions, well, you can guess the rest.
According to Mazda, the 2023 hatchback models will hit dealerships first in the upcoming fall, with the 2023 sedans following suit in the winter.
Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated the price variation between 2022 and 2023. Following an adjustment in April, the 2023 Mazda 3 will be priced $1,400 higher than its predecessor.
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