Mazda Releases Updates and New Price for the 2016 Mazda3

2016 Mazda3 (Credit: © Mazda)

The 2016 model year is in full swing now, as automakers are just about finished polishing off their updates and redesigns for the new year. Today, Mazda has announced some new features and new prices for its 2016 Mazda3 hatchback and sedan. Unfortunately, none of them include the addition of a Mazdaspeed model.

For the 2016 model year, Mazda has eliminated the i SV base trim level and made the i Sport the new base model. The biggest addition to this model is its standard rearview camera, which wasn’t even an option on the i Sport trim in 2015. This trim comes standard with desirable features like power windows and locks, 16-inch wheels, dual power-folding mirrors, a tilt and telescoping steering wheel, a six-speaker audio system with Mazda Connect and Bluetooth, push-button start, keyless entry, and cruise control. The base model is available exclusively with the 2.0-literSkyactive four-cylinder that produces 155 horsepower.

The i Sport bases from $17,845 for the sedan and $18,545 for the hatchback, which is a $600 drop from last year’s sedan price and a $400 drop for the hatchback. Though this trim level is cheaper than the 2015 i Sport, the elimination if the i SV base trim increases the base price by $900 for the sedan.

For an extra $1,000, you can add in the new-for-2016 Preferred Equipment Package. This adds 16-inch alloy wheels, bright body trim, heated mirrors with integrated turn signals, premium cloth seats, auto on/off headlights, auto windshield wipers, blind-spot monitoring, and more.

Moving upstream to the Mazda3 i Touring adds in premium features like 16-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, heated mirrors with integrated turn signals, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, Mazda Advanced Keyless Entry, a moonroof, auto headlights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, premium cloth seating, and more. This trim comes standard with the 2.0-liter Skyactiv engine, but it also is available with the 2.5-liter 184-horsepower four-cylinder engine.

The Mazda3 i Touring sedan starts from $20,045 with the 2.0-liter and a six-speed manual, and it jumps to $21,095 with the auto transmission. Jumping into the Mazda3 s Touring, which adds the 2.5-liter engine and the auto transmission, increases the price to $24,795. The hatchback runs an extra $700 across the board.

For those in need of more features in their i Touring model, there is the optional Popular Equipment Package. This adds an extra $1,100 to the base price, and includes an auto-dimming interior mirror, automatic dual-zone climate control, a Bose Centerpoint nine-speaker audio system, and a shark-fin antenna.

The range-topping Mazda3 is the Grand Touring, which comes standard with high-end features like leatherette seating, navigation, and heated seats. Like the Touring model, the Grand Touring is also available in i and s versions. The i Grand Touring comes with all of the features mentioned above, the 2.0-liter engine, and the six-speed manual transmission. The s Grand Touring model adds in real leather interior, adaptive xenon HID headlights, 18-inch alloy wheels, the 2.5-liter engine, and the six-speed manual transmission.

The Mazda i Grand Touring sedan starts from $22,545 with the manual transmission and rises to $23,595 with the auto gearbox. The Mazda3 s Grand Touring sedan starts from $24,745 with the manual transmission and jumps to $25,795 with the auto. In all Grand Touring models, the hatchback model runs an extra $700.

If the standard Mazda3 s Grand Touring isn’t enough for you, there is an optional Technology Package available. This tacks on an extra $2,600 and includes the fuel-saving i-ELOOP system and i-ACTIVESENSE, which includes radar cruise control, smart city brake support, high-beam control, lane-departure warning, and forward-obstruction warning.

The 2016 Mazda3 will arrive in dealers in late July.