2014 Mazda3 Fuel Economy Expected to Top Compact Class

(Mazda Motor Of America Inc.)

Mazda showed off its all-new 2014 Mazda3 hatchback almost a month ago, which was followed by the introduction of the sedan. Now the automaker says it expects the 2014 Mazda3 sedan to get 29/41 mpg city/highway with the manual transmission and 30/41 mpg with the automatic. The EPA has not rated the sedan yet (it rated the manual hatchback at 29/40 and automatic at 30/40 mpg), but Mazda's estimates are some of the highest among compact cars.
Among non-hybrid compact sedans, the 2014 Mazda3’s projected fuel economy tops the Nissan Sentra’s 30/39 mpg EPA fuel economy rating (CVT), as well as the Honda Civic’s 28/39 mpg estimate and the Hyundai Elantra’s 28/38 mpg rating.
If the EPA confirms Mazda’s fuel economy estimates for the new Mazda3 sedan, they will compete with, or even top, some of the ratings on compact cars that have a trim designed to save fuel. For example, the Chevrolet Cruze Eco gets 26/39 mpg (automatic) and 28/42 (manual), the Dodge Dart Aero gets 28/41 (manual) and 28/40 (automatic) and the Honda Civic HF earns a 29/41 rating (automatic). These fuel-efficient trims often cost more than the base model, though, and these three models all cost upwards of $19,000.
The 2014 Mazda3 will cost more than last year’s model. The 2014 sedan with a manual transmission will start at $16,945, which does not include a $795 destination fee. This is a price bump of $245 over the 2013 Mazda3 sedan. The base model with an automatic will cost $17,995. Mazda points out in a press release that the extra money gets you more standard features for 2014, including a USB port, push-button start, daytime running lights, remote keyless entry and automatic power door locks.
The 2013 Mazda3 is currently ranked at the top of our compact car class. Will the 2014's high fuel economy estimates and newly standard features keep it there? Car and Driver calls it “one heck of a small car,” and says “it happens to drive like no sub-$20,000 car deserves to.” Jalopnik says the 2014 Mazda3 is “arguably the most exciting car in this segment.” Autoblog says, “But beyond its slick lines, we found the new compact hatch to be a pretty remarkable steer, offering up good levels of comfort and refinement, not to mention functionality and engagement.” The 2014 Mazda3 goes on sale in September.

Mazda Unveils Redesigned 2014 Mazda3

(Mazda Motor of America)

Mazda officially introduced the all-new 2014 Mazda3 hatchback at a press event in New York today. The automaker says in a press release that the 2014 Mazda3 is completely redesigned, sharing almost nothing besides its name with the 2013 model.
“With more than 3.5 million vehicles sold globally, the Mazda3 is the brand’s best-selling and most recognizable nameplate, and its redesign for 2014 shows just how much attention to detail and care we put into this important vehicle,” says Jim O’Sullivan, president and CEO of Mazda North America Operations.

(Mazda Motor of America)

Compared with the outgoing Mazda3, the new hatchback has a longer wheelbase, but it’s also slightly shorter, lower and wider. Mazda says that the result is an interior that offers more shoulder room in both rows, as well as comparable headroom to the car it replaces. An all-new Active Driving Display also debuts in the 2014 Mazda3, which displays information like navigation directions and speed on a clear pop-up panel. Mazda says that its Active Driving Display keeps vehicle information within the driver’s line of sight, and that the panel folds into a hidden position when the car is turned off.
For 2014, the Mazda3 will continue to offer the Skyactiv-G 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, as well as the Skyactiv-G 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that’s currently available in the 2014 Mazda CX-5 and Mazda6. Mazda hasn’t provided fuel economy estimates for the redesigned Mazda3 yet, but the 2.0- and 2.5-liter engines will produce 155 and 184 horsepower, respectively. A six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission will be available.

(Mazda Motor of America)

The redesigned Mazda3 will have a new infotainment system, which Mazda says will come with Bluetooth, a USB port and an auxiliary input jack. The new system will also respond to voice commands and read emails and text messages through the speakers, as well as Twitter and Facebook updates. A Bose surround-sound stereo system and a navigation system will be optional.
The Mazda3 will also offer a number of new safety technologies for 2014, which Mazda calls i-Activsense features. These include automatic high beam control, which can automatically adjust your headlights for oncoming traffic and radar-based cruise control, which automatically adjusts the car’s speed based on the distance and speed of the car in front of it. Blind spot monitoring and lane departure and forward collision warning systems are also offered as i-Activsense features. Mazda’s Smart City Brake Support system will also be offered, which can automatically apply the brakes or increase breaking power at speeds less than 19 mph if an obstacle is detected.

(Mazda Motor of America)

The 2013 Mazda3 is currently our top-ranked affordable small car, so will Mazda’s updates make it an even stronger contender? We’ll see how the redesigned Mazda3 stacks up to the competition when it goes on sale this fall.