2019 Mazda3 To Come With Two Engines In The U.S., A 2.5 And The 2.0 SkyActiv-X

Mazda hasn’t been that generous with details when it comes to the all-new Mazda3’s specs.

Besides announcing the engines’ displacements, the offering of a manual transmission, and the availability of all-wheel drive, the automaker kept most specs hidden. Still, Autoblog has managed to learn more about the Mazda3, in particular about the model that will be sold in the United States. The publication talked to Mazda engineers at the LA Auto Show about the engines, suspension, and drivetrains.

As usual, the U.S. market will get fewer engines than other regions such as Europe. At launch, the 2019 Mazda3 will be offered only with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine. It’s essentially the same naturally aspirated unit with cylinder deactivation that equips the CX-5 SUV and Mazda6 sedan.

In the Mazda3, the engine will produce slightly more power and torque, though, namely 186 hp and 186 lb-ft (252 Nm), up 2 hp and 1 lb-ft. Mazda will offer this engine with front-wheel drive as standard whole all-wheel drive will be optional. The report also says 2019 Mazda3 SkyActiv-G 2.5 will return 27 mpg city, 36 mpg highway, and 30 mpg combined. The AWD model will, logically, have a slightly worse fuel economy.

The second engine Mazda will offer on its new compact car is the SkyActiv-X 2.0 compression-ignition unit which will arrive later in 2019. It will first be rolled out in states with stricter emissions regulations before launching in other states. Both engines are compatible with manual and automatic transmissions, although Mazda will announce later on exactly which combinations will be offered.

As for turbo engines, Mazda did confirm the 2.5-liter turbo-four fits in the engine bay of the new 3. However, the company would not comment on whether the SkyActiv-G 2.5T unit might end up in its compact car eventually. If we corroborate that with another report that dismissed the possibility of a Mazdaspeed 3 hot hatch, it looks highly unlikely.