Part of the 2012 Mazda 3's improved efficiency also comes from slipperier, slightly more refined styling?although the smiley face is still here. Although not a dramatic makeover, the revised front fascia is more sculpted than before, the fog lights are now rounded, and the underbody has been tweaked for less drag. There are new 16- and 17-inch wheel designs, too. Those opting for the SKY powertrain will see their 3s fitted with a new, blue-accented engine cover, blue rings around the headlight lenses, and SKYACTIV badging on the rump.
Changes to the interior are minor and are limited to black plastic in the instrument panel and a silver finish on the climate-control dials and audio head unit. Oh, and there's white text in the information displays in place of last year's red fonts. The 2012 Mazdaspeed 3 largely carries over, adopting similar styling revisions plus a new leather-wrapped shifter and parking-brake handle.
With a slight tick upward in output and lofty fuel-economy numbers, it seems buyers of the Mazda 3 will be able to have their sake and drink it, too. Well, so long as they shoot for the SKY.
- Car and Driver
Price: $24,795 Transmission: 6-Speed Manual Engine: 2.3L I-4 cyl
Price: $26,930 Transmission: 6-Speed Manual Engine: 2.3L I-4 cyl
Price: $26,930 Transmission: 6-Speed Manual Engine: 2.3L I-4 cyl
Price: $24,795 Transmission: 6-Speed Manual Engine: 2.3L I-4 cyl
Price: $26,930 Transmission: 6-Speed Manual Engine: 2.3L I-4 cyl
Price: $24,995 Transmission: 6-Speed Manual Engine: 2.3L I-4 cyl
CUSTOMER COMMENTS
No comments have been posted.