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Mazda 3

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Mazda 3 Australia

Arriving in 2004, the Mazda3 was the second in Mazda's range to move away from the old, triple-number naming scheme, ending a quarter-century run for the Mazda 323.

It was a good job, then, that the Mazda3 was more than good enough to carry a new name – or number – forward. Going after the Corolla and its ilk with a small-sized sedan and hatch was always going to be a tough ask, but the 3's combination of handling prowess, good looks and high level of standard kit have propelled it to sales success.

From the arrival of the fourth-generation model in April 2019, the Mazda3 was available with a choice of two petrol engines. It is available from $27,160 to $43,310 for the 3 G20 Pure and 3 X20 Astina M Hybrid, respectively.

The Mazda3 is also known as Mazda Axela (Japan and China) in markets outside Australia.

Mazda 3 Models Price and Specs

The price range for the Mazda 3 varies based on the trim level you choose. Starting at $27,160 and going to $43,310 for the latest year the model was manufactured. The model range is available in the following body types starting from the engine/transmission specs shown below.

Year Body Type Specs Price from Price to
2023 Hatchback 2.0L, ULP, 6 SP MAN $27,160 $43,310
2023 Sedan 2.0L, ULP, 6 SP MAN $27,160 $43,310
2022 Hatchback 2.0L, ULP, 6 SP MAN $23,320 $45,980
2022 Sedan 2.0L, ULP, 6 SP MAN $23,320 $45,980
2021 Hatchback 2.0L, ULP, 6 SP MAN $21,670 $45,540
2021 Sedan 2.0L, ULP, 6 SP MAN $21,670 $45,540
2020 Hatchback 2.0L, ULP, 6 SP MAN $21,230 $43,120
2020 Sedan 2.0L, ULP, 6 SP MAN $21,230 $43,670
2019 Sedan 2.0L, ULP, 6 SP MAN $14,630 $37,510
2019 Hatchback 2.0L, ULP, 6 SP MAN $15,840 $37,510
See All Mazda 3 Pricing and Specs

Mazda 3 Colours

  • Polymetal Grey
  • Soul Red Crystal
  • Machine Grey
  • Sonic Silver
  • Titanium Flash
  • Deep Crystal Blue
  • Jet Black
  • Snowflake White Pearl
To confirm current colour availability, please check the manufacturer's website. Shown above are the colours for the Mazda 3 2019.

Mazda 3 Q&As

Check out real-world situations relating to the Mazda 3 here, particularly what our experts have to say about them.

  • Should I buy a 2018 Mazda 3 Astina or a 2019 Mazda 3 GT25?

    Both these cars are well equipped, well built and have a good reputation in the trade. Which means you won’t regret buying either of them. In turn, that means that the decision will come down to whether the extra standard equipment of the Astina model outweighs the factory warranty of the SP25 GT.

    The extra gear in the Astina amounted to 10-way adjustable powered front seats with a memory function, specific 18-inch alloy wheels, a sunroof, radar cruise-control, forward obstacle warning, adaptive headlights, lane departure warning and lane keeping assistance, and smart brake support. Whether you reckon that standard gear is better than a year of so of factory warranty is entirely up to you. The only problem being that when the warranty runs out, you might start to think differently about the relative value of the two cars.

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  • Do you know what the best tyre type is for a 2018 Mazda 3 and an idea of the cost?

    There are lots of really good choices in tyres for popular models such as the Mazda 3. You can shop online and find cheap tyres, but a much better idea is to actually contact (or visit) a tyre shop who will be able to guide you according to what you want from the tyres.

    Some tyres have better life, some offer more grip, some are aimed at fuel efficiency, others are designed to run quietly and some are sold entirely on price. Some tyres will combine some of these traits, while others will be quite focussed on their priorities (performance tyres, for instance, often trade off lifespan and quiet operation for ultimate grip).

    So talking to a person who sells and fits tyres every day, is a good place to start. Listen to the advice and proceed from there. There’s no need to ignore some of the Chinese brands these days, either; some of them are quite good and offer a good balance of performance and price. Most tyres are made in China today anyway, even if they’re a familiar brand. Speaking of price, expect to pay around $100 to $150 for a good quality tyre and don’t forget to have them balanced and the car’s wheel alignment checked at the same time. A good tyre shop can do all of this in the time it takes you to do your shopping and can offer advice that an online retailer simply can’t.

    And don’t forget that car tyres remain a great example of the notion that you’ll only get what you pay for.

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  • Are we going to see the new Mazda 3 turbo AWD in Australia?

    Mazda Australia has previously told CarsGuide that it would love to get hold of a batch of the hot-shot Mazda 3 Turbos. And while the local arm of Mazda has asked head office for a batch of the all-wheel-drive hot-hatches, no decision has been confirmed as yet.

    Mazda’s problem is justifying the cost of making the car in right-hand-drive form, and the complex mechanical packaging makes that even more difficult than usual. Designed for the North American market, the lack of a right-hand-drive variant will likely be the biggest hurdle to the car making it into showrooms here.

    Mazda Australia is obviously keen on the idea as it would give it a competitive product to tackle the success of the VW Golf GTi, the Renault Megane RS and the soon-to-arrive new Subaru WRX. The bottom line? Cross your fingers, but don’t hold your breath.

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  • Can you advise whether the Mazda 3 has a timing belt or a timing chain?

    The Mazda 3 timing belt or chain question is a common one, but one with a fairly simple answer. Unless the Mazda 3 in question is the very first turbo-diesel model (sold in Australia between 2007 and 2009) then the engine powering it uses a timing chain rather than a rubber belt.

    The exception was the 2.0-lire turbo-diesel which used a rubber, toothed timing belt. The design seems sound, however, and Mazda’s recommended replacement interval for the belt and its tensioner is every 120,000km. Make sure this has been carried out promptly, as a snapped belt will probably destroy the engine. A small sticker somewhere in the engine bay should record the most recent belt change. The complete kit to replace the timing belt on this engine is available for around $200 and you should budget another few hundred dollars to have the job carried out by a workshop. Best practice is to also change the water pump and thermostat at the same time as these live in the same area of the engine.

    The task of the timing chain or timing belt is exactly the same: They take drive from the engine’s crankshaft to the camshaft and, in the process, keep all the moving parts in harmony. Many car makers moved away from a timing chain to the rubber, toothed drive belt as a way of simplifying engine design and driving down the cost of each engine. The rubber timing belt is also quieter in its operation and is also less prone to stretching (as a timing chain can) so the camshaft (commonly referred to as the cam) stays in perfect synch with the rest of the engine’s rotating parts. The rubber belt is a simpler design because it doesn’t need to be tensioned via oil pressure from the engine as many timing chain systems are.

    The timing chain, meanwhile, is preferred by some manufacturers because it should last the lifetime of the engine and never need replacement. This isn’t always the case, however, and some engines designs from a variety of manufacturers suffer problems in this regard. But, in a properly maintained engine of sound design, the timing chain should never need attention, while the rubber timing belt generally has a replacement interval of between 60,000km and 120,000km, depending on make and model.

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See All Mazda 3 Q&As
Disclaimer: You acknowledge and agree that all answers are provided as a general guide only and should not be relied upon as bespoke advice. Carsguide is not liable for the accuracy of any information provided in the answers.

Mazda 3 Accessories

The version of the Mazda 3 that arrived in April 2019 brought equipment levels to match the status quo of the small hatch and sedan segment at the time.

This equipment varies among the five different trim levels, but the top Astina packs the complete list of features, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity, built-in satnav, reversing camera with 360 monitor, dual-zone climate control, active cruise control, heated and power adjustable front seats with leather trim all round, heated leather steering wheel and high and low speed AEB, covering both forward and reverse directions.

As you'd expect, there's alloy wheels at each corner and LED head and tail-lights, but other convenience features include proximity keys, power sunroof auto wipers, and heated and powered door mirrors.

Shown above are the accessory details for the Mazda 3 2021.

Mazda 3 Dimensions

The dimensions of the Mazda 3 Hatchback and Sedan vary according to year of manufacture and spec level.

Year Body Type Height x Width x Length Ground Clearance
2023 Hatchback 1440x1795x1435 mm 150 mm
2023 Sedan 1440x1795x4660 mm 150 mm
2022 Sedan 1440x1795x4660 mm 150 mm
2022 Hatchback 1440x1795x1435 mm 150 mm
2021 Hatchback 1440x1795x1435 mm 150 mm
2021 Sedan 1440x1795x4660 mm 150 mm
2020 Hatchback 1440x1795x1435 mm 150 mm
2020 Sedan 1440x1795x4660 mm 150 mm
2019 Sedan 1450x1795x4580 mm 155 mm
2019 Hatchback 1450x1795x4460 mm 155 mm
The dimensions shown above are for the base model. See All Mazda 3 Dimensions

Mazda 3 Interior

The Mazda 3 has an interior design that sets it apart from its rivals. As you can see in the images, the most recent model is striking - combining a sleek, minimal dashboard and materials and trims that feel a lot more expensive than it is. Models with leather feel even more premium - enough to make luxury car buyers think twice about where they should be spending their money.

Shown above are interior details for the Mazda 3 2020.

Mazda 3 Fuel Consumption

The Mazda 3 is available in a number of variants and body types that are powered by Hyb/ULP and ULP fuel type(s). It has an estimated fuel consumption starting from 5.5L/100km for Hatchback /Hyb/ULP for the latest year the model was manufactured.

Year Body Type Fuel Consumption* Engine Fuel Type Transmission
2023 Hatchback 5.5L/100km 2.0L Hyb/ULP 6 SP AUTO
2023 Hatchback 6.2L/100km 2.0L ULP 6 SP MAN
2023 Sedan 5.5L/100km 2.0L Hyb/ULP 6 SP AUTO
2023 Sedan 6.3L/100km 2.0L ULP 6 SP MAN
2022 Hatchback 5.5L/100km 2.0L Hyb/ULP 6 SP AUTO
2022 Hatchback 6.2L/100km 2.0L ULP 6 SP MAN
2022 Sedan 5.5L/100km 2.0L Hyb/ULP 6 SP AUTO
2022 Sedan 6.3L/100km 2.0L ULP 6 SP MAN
2021 Hatchback 5.3L/100km 2.0L Hyb/ULP 6 SP MAN
2021 Hatchback 6.2L/100km 2.0L ULP 6 SP MAN
2021 Sedan 5.3L/100km 2.0L Hyb/ULP 6 SP MAN
2021 Sedan 6.3L/100km 2.0L ULP 6 SP MAN
2020 Hatchback 5.3L/100km 2.0L Hyb/ULP 6 SP MAN
2020 Hatchback 6.2L/100km 2.0L ULP 6 SP MAN
2020 Sedan 5.3L/100km 2.0L Hyb/ULP 6 SP MAN
2020 Sedan 6.3L/100km 2.0L ULP 6 SP MAN
2019 Hatchback 5.9L/100km 2.0L ULP 6 SP MAN
2019 Sedan 5.8L/100km 2.0L ULP 6 SP MAN
* Combined fuel consumption See All Mazda 3 Pricing and Specs for 2023

Mazda 3 Wheel Size

The Mazda 3 has a number of different wheel and tyre options. When it comes to tyres, these range from 205x60 R16 9 for Hatchback in 2023.

Year Body Type Front Tyre Size Front Rim Rear Tyre Size Rear Rim
2023 Hatchback 205x60 R16 9 205x60 R16 9
2023 Sedan 205x60 R16 9 205x60 R16 9
2022 Hatchback 205x60 R16 9 205x60 R16 9
2022 Sedan 205x60 R16 9 205x60 R16 9
2021 Hatchback 205x60 R16 9 205x60 R16 9
2021 Sedan 205x60 R16 9 205x60 R16 9
2020 Hatchback 205x60 R16 9 16x6.5 inches 205x60 R16 9 16x6.5 inches
2020 Sedan 205x60 R16 9 16x6.5 inches 205x60 R16 9 16x6.5 inches
2019 Hatchback 205x60 R16 16x6.5 inches 205x60 R16 16x6.5 inches
2019 Sedan 205x60 R16 16x6.5 inches 205x60 R16 16x6.5 inches
The dimensions shown above are for the base model. See All Mazda 3 Wheel Sizes

Mazda 3 Boot Space

The Mazda 3 Sedan has a boot space size of 444 VDA.
Mazda 3 Boot space Mazda 3 Boot space
Shown above are boot space details for the Mazda 3 2020.

Mazda 3 Towing Capacity

The Mazda 3 has maximum towing capacity of 1200kg for the latest model available.

Year Body Type Braked Capacity from Braked Capacity to
2023 Hatchback 1200kg 1200kg
2023 Sedan 1200kg 1200kg
2022 Hatchback 1200kg 1200kg
2022 Sedan 1200kg 1200kg
2021 Hatchback 1200kg 1200kg
2021 Sedan 1200kg 1200kg
2020 Hatchback 1200kg 1200kg
2020 Sedan 1200kg 1200kg
2019 Hatchback 1200kg 1200kg
2019 Sedan 1200kg 1200kg
See All Towing Capacity for Mazda 3

Mazda 3 Seats

The following Mazda 3 comes with 5 seats. The G20 Pure, G20 Evolve and G25 Evolve variants are available only with Black cloth seat trim. The G20 Touring and G25 GT variants are both available with Black leather seat trim. The choice of either Burgundy or Black leather seats is reserved for the G25 Astina hatch, with the choice of Black or Pure White Leather available in the G25 Astina sedan.

Mazda 3 Seats
Shown above are seat details for the Mazda 3 2019.