Mazda->ke53 added the Mazda3->ke504 to its lineup back in 2003 and now, as the model celebrates its 10th anniversary, the Mazda3 enters its third generation for the 2014 model year. The 2014 Mazda3 made its world today debut simultaneously in New York, London, Istanbul, Melbourne and St. Petersburg.

The first-generation Mazda3 went into production on June 25, 2003 and is sold in more than 120 countries. As no surprise, the Mazda3 is one of the best-sold models in Mazda's lineup with more than 3.5 million units sold in just a decade.

The second generation was announced back in 2008 in overseas markets, but in the U.S. the second-gen Mazda3 didn't arrive until 2010. When compared to the first generation it offered an updated exterior look and the addition of SKYACTIV technology that helped reducing fuel consumption.

Now entering its third generational change, the Mazda3 looks to continue fighting the good fight against the likes of the Ford Focus->ke440 and VW Golf->ke164.

Updated 06/26/2013: This review has been updated with the official details, images and specs.

Updated 07/24/2013: Mazda announced prices for the 2014 Mazda3. Click past the jump to see how much you'll have to pay for the new generation Mazda3.

Click past the jump to read more about the 2014 Mazda3.

2014 Mazda3 Hatchback

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2014 Mazda3 Hatchback
  • Engine/Motor: inline-4
  • Horsepower: 155 @ 6000
  • Torque: 150 @ 4000
  • Transmission: SKYACTIV-MT Six-Speed Manual
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

The 2014 Mazda3 is all-new from the ground up and has little in common to the model it replaces. MAzda chose to stretch its dimensions a little to allow for more interior room.

The model adopts the same design language we have seen in the Mazda6 sedan. Translated, this means that the new Mazda3 features a prominent black grille and more aggressive headlamps and a ready-to-pounce stance. That hideous Cheshire-cat grin from the second generation makes its exit to raucous cheers.

Along with the new five-point grille, the 2014 Mazda3 also features new sleekly slanted headlamps, wide-stance muscular fenders and a chiseled rear, featuring provoking taillights. A new feature to the Mazda3 is the addition of an active grille shutter mounted in front of the radiator that automatically opens and closes in accordance with driving conditions to improve aerodynamic performance.

Customers can choose between eight exterior colors, including two new ones: Titanium Flash Mica and Deep Crystal Blue Mica.

Dimensions:

Wheelbase

106.3 inches

Length

175.6 inches

Height

57.3 inches

Rear legroom

35.8 inches

Front shoulder room

57.2 inches

Rear shoulder room

54.4 inches


Interior

While making the car look great on the exterior, Mazda also worked on offering the best interior in the segment. Mazda did everything to offer the driver the best driving experience and started with a driver-oriented cockpit, with the pedals specially designed for added safety and comfort, and intuitively placed control and functions.

There are two all-new features on the 2014 Mazda3. The first is the next-generation human-machine interface (HMI) system, which aims to help drivers maintain a proper posture while fully concentrating on the road. The second is the new Active Driving Display, which offers details on the vehicle's speed, navigation directions and other important driving information. It will fold back into a hidden position when the engine is shut off.

The 2014 Mazda3 also features a new seat architecture that maximizes comfort and space, while reducing the total weight. Customers can choose between cloth (Black, Sand), leatherette (Black) and leather (Black, Almond) seating upholstery.

The infotainment system was also updated with a new, more intuitive operating system that allows drivers to connect to a smartphone via Bluetooth. It also offers tunes via the usual AM/FM radio with a CD player; USB/auxiliary port connections; SiriusXM Satellite Radio; plus Aha by HARMAN. The new operating system also allows the driver to post short messages on Twitter and Facebook by using Short Message Service (SMS) and the Shout function.

Drivetrain

For the North American market, customers get to choose between two engines: a SKYACTIV-G 2.0-liter gasoline engine and a new SKYACTIV-G 2.5-liter gasoline engine.

The 2.0-liter engine delivers a total of 155 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 150 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm, while the 2.5-liter version produces a total of 184 horsepower at 5,700 rpm and 185 pound-feet of torque at 3,250 rpm.

The two engines mat to a standard SKYACTIV-MT six-speed manual transmission, while a SKYACTIV-Drive six-speed automatic transmissions is offered as an alternative. Mazda also offers a unique i-ELOOP brake energy regeneration system, which employs a capacitor to store electricity generated when the vehicle decelerates. The Mazda3 then uses this stored power to help reduce fuel consumption.

With the 2.0-liter engine, the EPA rated the Mazda3 Hatchback at 29 mpg city, 40 mpg highway and 33 mpg combined with the manual transmission, and 30 mpg city, 40 mpg highway and 33 mpg combined with the automatic transmission. With the 2.5-liter powerplant, the EPA rated the Mazda3 hatchback 28 mpg city and 37 mpg highway. With i-ELOOP, the 2.5-liter engine's ratings jump to 29 mpg city and 39 mpg highway.

Prices

Pricing Details:

Model

Transmission

MSRP

Mazda3 i Sport

SKYACTIV-MT 6-Speed Manual

$18,945

Mazda3 i Sport

SKYACTIV-Drive 6-Speed Automatic

$19,995

Mazda3 i Touring

SKYACTIV-MT 6-Speed Manual

$20,095

Mazda3 i Touring

SKYACTIV-Drive 6-Speed Automatic

$21,145

Mazda3 i Grand Touring

SKYACTIV-MT 6-Speed Manual

$23,245

Mazda3 i Grand Touring

SKYACTIV-Drive 6-Speed Automatic

$24,295

Mazda3 s Touring

SKYACTIV-MT 6-Speed Manual

TBA

Mazda3 s Touring

SKYACTIV-Drive 6-Speed Automatic

$25,095

Mazda3 s Grand Touring

SKYACTIV-MT 6-Speed Manual

TBA

Mazda3 s Grand Touring

SKYACTIV-Drive 6-Speed Automatic

$26,495


Package Pricing Details

Touring Technology Package


Includes:

-Human-Machine Interface (HMI) system w/ 7-inch full-color touch screen display (i Touring only)

-Navigation (i Touring only)

-Multi-function commander control for display screen operations (i Touring only)

-Rearview camera (i Touring only)

-Bose Centerpoint 2 nine-speaker Surround Sound System with AudioPilot® 2 (i Touring only)

-HD Radio Technology (i Touring only)

-Sirius/XM satellite radio with a four-month complimentary subscription (i Touring only)

-Aha by HARMAN™ radio integration (i Touring only)

-Pandora® internet radio compatibility (i Touring only)

-Stitcher™ internet radio integration (i Touring only)

-E911 automatic emergency notification and SMS text message receipt and delivery (i Touring only)

-Two USB ports (i Touring only)

-Voice command (i Touring only)

-Dual-zone automatic climate control (i Touring only)

-Overhead console with sunglasses holder (i Touring only)

-Illuminated vanity mirrors (i Touring only)

-Shark fin antenna (i Touring only)

-i-ELOOP regenerative engine braking system (s Grand Touring Only)

-Active grille shutters (s Grand Touring Only)

-High Beam Control (HBC) (s Grand Touring Only)

-Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS) (s Grand Touring Only)

-Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) (s Grand Touring Only)

$1,600


Competition

2013 Volkswagen Golf

The seventh-generation Golf arrived on the market in 2012 and it is enjoying plenty of success. The model features a redesigned exterior language, an updated interior and it is about 220 pounds lighter than its predecessor.

The new Golf is offered with a choice of four engines: an 85-horsepower 1.2-liter TSI, a 140-horsepower 1.4-liter TSI; a 105-horsepower 1.6-liter unit; and a 150-horsepower 2.0-liter unit.

2013 Ford Focus

The new-generation Ford Focus was unveiled at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show. The new Focus was moved on a new global C-segment platform and comes with a redesigned exterior and interior language.

Under the hood, the model gets a fuel efficient 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 155 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque.

Conclusion

What was a great car is now even better, so the Mazda3's main competitors had better be checking their rearview mirrors for that sleek new nose approaching them. The 2014 Mazda3 dropped the ugliest feature on its previous generation - the front grille - and receives a new, more powerful engine lineup. In short, this is the perfect recipe for success. Now we only need to wait for the Mazdaspeeed version.