Mazda 3 2023: Australian prices rise after manual transmission, mild-hybrids cut from the range

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Price rises up to $2810 have hit Mazda’s much-loved 3 small car as the manual transmission and mild hybrid options are also dropped.

Mazda released pricing for its updated Mazda 3 sedan and hatch today, increasing between $1410 and $2810 across the board. The range now begins at $30,320 before on-road costs for the base G20 Pure and tops out at $42,320 for the new range-topping G25 Astina.

Previously the cheapest ticket to Mazda 3 ownership was $27,160, for a six-speed manual G20 Pure. The most expensive Mazda 3 used to be the X20 Astina Mild Hybrid at $43,310.

As reported by Chasing Cars, the Mazda 3 range is now exclusively six-speed automatic, the manual transmission axed – previously accounting for less than three percent of sales. The same fate has befallen the X20 ‘mild hybrid’ powertrain option.

Mazda is focusing on its existing naturally aspirated 2.0- and 2.5-litre inline-fours. As part of the update, cylinder deactivation and efficiency gains see the 2.0-litre’s fuel consumption improve by five percent, now 5.9L/100km for the hatch and 5.8L/100km for the sedan.

There’s a new colour, Ceramic Metallic replacing the previous Sonic Silver, while in the cabin Mazda said G20 Touring grades and above now receive USB-C ports, wireless phone charging and wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto.

The G25 GT grade and above is fitted standard with Mazda’s 10.25-inch infotainment display – touchscreen while stationary only – while it’s available as part of the Vision Technology pack on G20 Pure and Evolve. The pack is now $2000 (previously $1500).

The Mazda 3 competes against vehicles like the Toyota Corolla whose range starts at $28,130 and extends to $39,120; and the Hyundai i30 which starts at $24,000 up to $56,480 for the high performance i30 N. Hyundai still offers the i30 with a manual transmission.

Mazda said the price rises were effective July 1, 2023.

Mazda 3 2023: prices in Australia

All prices listed are before on-road costs.

• G20 Pure: $30,320 (+$2160)
• G20 Pure Vision: $32,320 (+$2660)
• G20 Evolve: $31,870 (+$2160)
• G20 Evolve Vision: $33,870 (+$2660)
• G20 Touring: $34,520 (+$2310)
• G20 Touring Vision: $36,520 (+$2810)
• G25 Evolve SP: $34,520 (+$1410)
• G25 Evolve SP Vision: $36,520 (+$1910)
• G25 GT: $38,420 (+$1610)
• G25 GT Vision: $39,920 (+$1610)
• G25 Astina: $42,320 (+$2010)