Touting the first North American application of Mazda’s new fuel-efficient and performance-oriented technologies branded under the Skyactiv name, the refreshed 2012 Mazda3 has arrived in U.S. showrooms.
Available in both four-door sedan and five-door hatchback body styles, the 2012 Mazda starts at $15,200 (all prices listed here do not include a $795 destination charge).
All models benefit from some minor styling upgrades such as the revised five-point grille opening, front and rear bumpers, and new alloy wheel designs, while interior updates include new colors and trim options.
The basic 2012 Mazda3 i SV sedan fitted with a 148-horsepower MZR 2.0-liter engine and a manual gearbox is priced at $15,200, while the better equipped i Sport sedan starts at $16,845 and is optionally available with a five-speed automatic transmission.
To get the suite of Skyactiv technologies you’ll have to upgrade to the Mazda3 i Touring or Grand Touring models that are powered by the firm’s all-new SKYACTIV-G 2.0-liter gasoline engine producing 155HP and 148 lb-ft of torque.
Mazda says that the new engine offers 5% more horsepower than the standard MZR 2.0-liter engine as well as 10% more peak torque, 15% low- to mid-range torque and up to 21% better fuel economy with an EPA rating of up to 40mpg on the highway.
The MSRP is $18,450 for the Mazda3 i Touring sedan and $18,950 for the Mazda3 i Touring hatchback which gets 39mpg on the highway. The better equipped Mazda3 i Grand Touring sedan models start at $22,300 with five-door models starting at $22,800.
Both the i Touring and Grand Touring models are available with the all-new SKYACTIV-MT six-speed manual gearbox or the all-new SKYACTIV-Drive six-speed automatic transmission priced at $850 MSRP.
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