CX-30 HAS BEEN A SALES WINNER FOR MAZDA

Launched here in late 2020 the Mazda CX-30 is a small-medium SUV that squeezes into the space between the company’s original SUVs, the compact CX-3 and the mid-sized CX-5. Between them, these three vehicles accounted for just over half of total Mazda sales in 2023 and were a major factor in the brand being locked solidly into second place behind Toyota in total sales. CX-30 was given a minor upgrade in late 2023 that included improved connectivity and fuel efficiency, together with a new model grade, the GT SP. The… Read more

MAZDA3 SEDAN

Mazda3 has been on sale here for almost 20 years on the Australian market. Indeed, you can make that 45 years if you include the 323 that preceded. The ‘3’ has been a consistently high seller for most of its life often contesting the top spots in both its small-medium segment as well as overall sales against perennial rivals like Toyota Corolla, Kia Cerato, Nissan Pulsar and Hyundai i30. The latest, fourth generation, Mazda3 arrived here in February 2019 year in five-door hatchback form with the four-door sedan joining it… Read more

MAZDA CX-60 G40E AZAMI HYBRID

The Mazda lineup is becoming increasingly difficult to understand. Once upon a time there was the Mazda2, Mazda3, and Mazda6 and it was easy to follow the progression (not forgetting the MX-5 and RX-8 sports cars). Then along came the SUVs, denoted by a CX in front of the number — CX-3, CX-5, CX-8 and CX-9. All good so far, except perhaps for CX-3 which actually sits on the same platform as Mazda2, making it smaller than its name might suggest. More recently the CX-30 and MX-30 were added, including… Read more

CX-60 REWRITES THE RULEBOOK FOR MAZDA SUVS

It appears the CX-60 has inveigled its way into the Mazda sports utility vehicle family with the bearing of an imperious European aristocrat. Indeed, an industry specialist who deals with vehicle brands daily says, at first sight, the CX-60 reminded him a lot of a Jaguar. Mazda makes no bones about taking the Yellow Brick Road to a spot ‘over the rainbow’ inhabited by the best mid-size SUVs around and the CX-60 debuts with three sophisticated new powertrains – inline-six turbocharged petrol and diesel engines, in mild hybrid guise, plus… Read more

MAZDA CX-8 PLUGS THE GENERATION GAP

Mazda sports utility vehicle sibling rivalry just got hotter, with a reborn five-year-old CX-8 refitted out and snapping at big brother CX-9’s heels, while fending off the challenge of the mid-size CX-5. Available in six grades – Sport, Touring, Touring Active, GT SP, Asaki and Asaki LE – with petrol or diesel power front or all-wheel drive, the entry-level Sport FWD petrol comes to market at $42,060, plus on-road costs, while the Asaki LE diesel AWD tips the scales at $71,410. Rearranging the chairs, the Touring Active takes over where… Read more

MAZDA CX-3 UPGRADE

Mazda has released details of an upgrade to its CX-3 compact SUV due to arrive here in September. It will include new safety features, equipment enhancements and technology across the entire CX-3 model range. For 2023, the line-up will comprise of the entry-level Sport, Pure, Evolve, Touring SP and range-leading Akari grades. Pricing ranges from $26,800 for the Sport to $38,620 for the flagship Akari, and all grades gain a significant uplift in equipment in addition to their already ample specification lists. The latest update also offers an exclusively front-drive… Read more

MAZDA RX-3

The RX3 is best viewed as an uprated, restyled R100. Its heart was still the 10A rotary, which drove back through a slick shifting all-synchro four-speed to a live rear axle suspended by leaf springs. To reduce its emission and noise levels, the RX3’s 10A differed somewhat from its predecessors. On smooth roads it could be coaxed around corners reasonably quickly, but as with its stablemates any kind of bumps threw the RX3 quickly off line. In the wet, the leaf- sprung rear end slid readily when the driver poured… Read more

FAREWELL TOUR FOR MAZDA CX-9

A luxury seven-seat family SUV, the CX-9 has been Mazda’s flagship model since it arrived here in 2007. With seven seats standard across its range, vehicles such as the CX-9 have effectively replaced people movers especially when they come, as the CX-9 does, with the choice of front- or all-wheel drive. The former contributes to better performance, lower fuel consumption and reduced emissions — the latter providing extra traction for towing or mild off-road capability. The current, second generation CX-9 has been around since 2016 and is due to be… Read more

MAZDA3 UPDATE

Mazda Australia has released details of its MY 2023 Mazda3 hatchback and sedan due to arrive here in July. The Mazda3 powertrain has been streamlined to comprise of the Skyactiv G 2.0 and 2.5-litre engines, which are both mated to the 6-speed Skyactiv-Drive automatic transmission. G20 models also receive an upgrade to the Skyactiv G 2.0-litre petrol engine, with cylinder deactivation and other improvements to the combustion process resulting in lower CO2 emissions without compromising on performance or driveability. Fuel consumption improves by 5 per cent to 5.9 L/100km for… Read more

MAZDA CX-30 PURE

The Mazda CX-30 is a small-medium SUV that squeezes into the space between the company’s original SUVs, the compact CX-3 and the mid-sized CX-5. Between them, these three vehicles accounted for around 55 per cent of total Mazda sales in 2022 and were a major factor in the brand being locked solidly into second place behind Toyota in total sales. Adding to the mix is the MX-30 which shares the same platform as the CX-30, but with a sleeker design. All models have an EV component, either petrol/electric hybrid or… Read more