The Mazda3 is no longer new, yet its sales figures are far from slumping. Over the past few years, it's been the second-best selling compact car in Canada behind the Honda Civic but ahead of the Toyota Corolla.
According to the rumor mill, a new generation of the Mazda3 will hit the market in 2010. That's still a long way from now. In the meantime, the automaker found a nifty way to maintain the interest of consumers by introducing an "updated" Mazda3 for the 2008.5 model year. That's right: 2008 point five! I guess that's what "making new from old" means...
Truth be told, it's impossible to differentiate the "new" Mazda3 from the "old" 2008 model. Not a single noticeable improvement has been made to the bodywork, which is a good thing since the design has proven successful. So what changed?
Two body styles, three trim levels
Similar to the Kia Spectra and Nissan Versa, the Mazda3 is available as a 4-door sedan and a 5-door hatchback. Each comes in three trim levels. My tester was a mid-level GS sedan... and I had to double-check many times to appreciate the upgrades over its predecessor.
The GS now sports a body-colored grille and 16-inch alloy wheels. The latter used to be included in the Sport Package along with the glass moonroof (which remains optional).
Compared to the base GX sedan, the Mazda3 GS benefits from many additional standard features, like power heated mirrors, protective bodyside mouldings, intermittent windshield wipers, steering wheel-mounted cruise control, a trip computer (with fuel economy/range and average speed data), power windows and remote entry.
 |
| Here's the 2008.5 Mazda3 GS. See any significant change over the 2008 model? Probably not. |
According to the rumor mill, a new generation of the Mazda3 will hit the market in 2010. That's still a long way from now. In the meantime, the automaker found a nifty way to maintain the interest of consumers by introducing an "updated" Mazda3 for the 2008.5 model year. That's right: 2008 point five! I guess that's what "making new from old" means...
Truth be told, it's impossible to differentiate the "new" Mazda3 from the "old" 2008 model. Not a single noticeable improvement has been made to the bodywork, which is a good thing since the design has proven successful. So what changed?
Two body styles, three trim levels
Similar to the Kia Spectra and Nissan Versa, the Mazda3 is available as a 4-door sedan and a 5-door hatchback. Each comes in three trim levels. My tester was a mid-level GS sedan... and I had to double-check many times to appreciate the upgrades over its predecessor.
The GS now sports a body-colored grille and 16-inch alloy wheels. The latter used to be included in the Sport Package along with the glass moonroof (which remains optional).
Compared to the base GX sedan, the Mazda3 GS benefits from many additional standard features, like power heated mirrors, protective bodyside mouldings, intermittent windshield wipers, steering wheel-mounted cruise control, a trip computer (with fuel economy/range and average speed data), power windows and remote entry.
 |
| The driving cockpit is superbly set up. The bucket seat is comfortable and the layout is ergonomic. |