2019 Mazda 3: Will Better Be Good Enough? | First Look | Edmunds

Edmunds Vehicle Testing Manager Jonathan Elfalan is at the reveal of the all-new Mazda 3 for 2019. The Mazda 3 competes in the compact-car segment alongside cars such as the Honda Civic and the Volkswagen Golf and comes in sedan and hatchback configurations. The current 2018 model has been around since 2014, so the Mazda 3 was due for an update to stay competitive with an ever-improving segment. Has Mazda done enough with the new model?

Q: What are the biggest changes for the 2019 Mazda 3?
A: It's an entirely new car, with sheet metal shaped to follow Mazda's latest Kodo design language. But beneath the surface, this is the first 3 model to be offered with Mazda's optional i-Activ all-wheel drive. The 3 will also feature Mazda's innovative Skyactiv-X gas engine, which uses new combustion technology to provide power and efficiency benefits similar to those that come from a diesel engine.

Q: What's the interior like?
A: Mazda's always done interiors well, but its latest cars have been pushing the boundaries into luxury territory. The 2019 Mazda 3 is no exception. The design is sleek and minimalistic, like a German luxury sedan, and materials used throughout show an attention to detail not found in any of their competition today. In short, we're big fans.

Q: What kind of powertrain options are there?
A: When it arrives in early 2019, the Mazda 3 will be solely equipped with a 2.5-liter inline-four, the engine that powers the upper trims of the current 2018 Mazda 3. The Skyactiv-X engine will be available later in the year. Mazda will continue to offer a six-speed manual and a six-speed automatic transmission.

Read our 2019 Mazda 3 First Look here: https://www.edmunds.com/mazda/3/2019

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