- The 2012 Mazda 3 gets a lower base price of $15,995.
- The least-expensive model with the new Skyactiv direct-injection engine, the 2012 Mazda 3 i Touring sedan, starts at $19,245.
- The 2012 Mazdaspeed 3 gets a $300 price increase, to $24,795.
IRVINE, California — The 2012 Mazda 3 gets a lower base price of $15,995, with the least-expensive Skyactiv model, the 2012 Mazda 3 i Touring sedan, starting at $19,245. In addition, the 2012 Mazdaspeed3 gets a $300 price increase, to $24,795. All prices include a $795 shipping charge.
The face-lifted 2012 Mazda 3 goes on sale at U.S. dealers in mid-October. Its sister model, the Mazda Axela, went on sale last week in Japan, priced from $21,700 to $35,000, with the same new Skyactiv engine and transmission technology available on selected models.
It is difficult to compare year-to-year sticker prices on the 2011 and 2012 Mazda 3 because the company has rejiggered its already-complicated trim levels and nomenclature.
The least-expensive model in the U.S. remains the Mazda 3 i SV sedan, which gets a $600 price cut for 2012. The 2011 edition started at $16,595. The price of the 2012 Mazda 3 i Sport sedan climbs $140 to $17,640. Neither the i SV nor the i Sport trim level is available on the 2012 Mazda 3 hatchback. Both sedans are powered by Mazda's carryover 148-horsepower MZR 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine.
The 155-horsepower Skyactiv-G 2.0-liter direct-injection four-cylinder gasoline engine is fitted to the 2012 Mazda 3 i Touring sedan and hatchback. The sedan with Skyactive engine is rated by the EPA at 40 mpg on the highway, while the Skyactiv-equipped hatchback gets 39 mpg. The 2012 Mazda 3 i Touring models get a standard Skyactiv six-speed manual transmission; the Skyactiv six-speed automatic is an $850 option.
Mazda for 2012 offers a more lavishly equipped Grand Touring trim level, with the most expensive model, the 2012 Mazda3 i Grand Touring hatchback, priced from $23,595.
The 2012 Mazda 3 s models are equipped with the larger, 167-hp MZR 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, with prices starting at $22,095.
The 2012 Mazdaspeed 3 gets a 263-hp 2.3-liter direct-injection four-cylinder engine and the usual assortment of performance-focused hardware. Also available is a $2,135 Technology package that bundles navigation, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive headlamps, self-leveling bi-xenon headlights, satellite radio, rain-sensing wipers and keyless entry system with push-button start.
Inside Line says: Confusing — but worth it.
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aviboy97 says:
12:33 PM, 10/05/2011
Everyone here is making one simple mistake when evaluating the price difference between a Mazda3 i SV and a Mazda3 i Touring (SKYACTIV).....
The Mazda3 i SV is a SPECIAL ORDER CAR ONLY! Dealer cannot choose to order this car. Our dealership sells 35 Mazda3's/mo and I have never, ever had a Mazda3 i SV in my inventory, EVER. The i SV is a price leader vehicle for advertising purposes only, and it only comes in a manual transmission.
Bottom line is you cannot buy a Mazda3 i SV. In all reality, the entry level Mazda3 is the i Sport, and with an automatic transmission, it has an MSRP of $18,350, including destination. The price jump to the i Touring is very slim, and only $300 more than the non-SKTACTIV 2011 Mazda3 i Touring.....
moar_revs says:
08:11 AM, 10/05/2011
I'd imagine the MPG changes are larger than some are making it out to be. From various comments I've read, real world MPG of Mazda3 is mid-twenties. SkyActiv will only bring that higher and improve the Mazda3 where it needs it most...mileage. I'm looking forward to what they can do with the MS3 with a SkyActiv turbo engine. 30mpg with 275hp? Yes please!
And in response to the other slightly off-topic comments, steak and kimchi sounds like a delicious combination... I gotta try that some time!
jstandefer says:
07:57 AM, 10/05/2011
The $3k price difference between the 3i SV and 3i Touring isn't getting you just the SkyActiv engine and transmission. It also adds chrome tipped exhaust, alloy wheels, cruise control, remote keyless entry, Bluetooth phone, Bluetooth audio, air conditioning, rear center armrest with cup holders, six speakers, ambient temperature display, leather-wrapped shift knob, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and trip computer.
What nobody has mentioned is the price reduction of the hatchback (including the Inside Line news post above. Note to editors: The only thing confusing about this is how your article was written... the press release was pretty straight-forward). The current Mazda3 hatchback with the 2.5L engine starts at $21,200 (excluding destination). That's the entry price for five doors. When the SkyActiv models go on sale shortly, the entry price for the hatchback drops to $18,950 (excluding destination). A $2,250 price drop might be worth mentioning... plus the drastic fuel economy increase for the hatchback, which has previously only been available with the big engine.
ms3hothatch says:
06:59 AM, 10/05/2011
"sportyaccordy says:
05:58 AM, 10/05/2011
Gas at $3.20 over the next couple of years is a lofty assumption. In the NE it is about $4/gal, and of course with the rape of the dollar that will only get worse. While even $6/gal might not be enough of a payback, it's still a move in the right direction. As Mazda gets the economies of scale on this at the right level, prices will go down and the payback will make sense."
That's why I showed price at $5.00 and still 8 years plus... I know Mazda had to do it sooner or later no question... what I wonder is the real savings for consumers. To reach economies of schale faster just get rid of the 2.0 MZR within a year and only offer the 2.0 DI Skyactiv as standard... it's the future anyway. I just wonder what the next MX-5 will have...
ed124c says:
06:42 AM, 10/05/2011
You know, it seems like Mazda is hedging either hedging its bet here, or making a big mistake, by offering the base 2.0 as well as the SkyActiv 2.0.
If the 3i only came with the SkyActiv engine, then buyers would need to pay the 3K more. Obviously, Mazda didn't want to do that. But... how can a 3 liter 148 hp engine cost 3K more than the existing engine with the same power? Are they trying to recoup the development costs for the SkyActiv in one year?
Then again, development costs are folded into the MSRP of every car, but the prices of these other cars do not drastically rise when a new and comparable engine is installed.
evil_dentist says:
06:08 AM, 10/05/2011
jamlab71
Not just mazda but other manufacturers do the same. Cars cost more overseas in general but they are better equipped. When I was in japan, even civic/corolla are far better equipped and better built. I guess money is the bigger factor then quality/taste in the US.
sportyaccordy says:
05:58 AM, 10/05/2011
Gas at $3.20 over the next couple of years is a lofty assumption. In the NE it is about $4/gal, and of course with the rape of the dollar that will only get worse. While even $6/gal might not be enough of a payback, it's still a move in the right direction. As Mazda gets the economies of scale on this at the right level, prices will go down and the payback will make sense.
ms3hothatch says:
05:39 AM, 10/05/2011
How much will gas have to cost and how many miles will I have to drive the car to recover the $3,000-to-$4,000 difference in price. Let's see:
1. Assuming $3.20/g, 15,000 miles/year and 33 mpg total annual cost of gas = $1,455 in gas money.
2. Assuming $3.20/g, 15,000 miles/year and 39 mpg total annual cost of gas = $1,231 in gas money.
You save $224 a year in gas!!! However, how many years will you need to own the car to recover the difference: $3,000/$224 = 13 +.
In other words, if you get the Sky Active trim to save on gas only and only for that purpose, you fooled yourself. More than 90% of buyers will not get their money back because most would trade in within 5 years on average. Even if gas goes to $5.00/g you still need > 8 years to recover the difference. In other words, it is mostly like not worth it for most people from a purely financial standpoint.
jamlab71 says:
05:31 AM, 10/05/2011
I'm disappointed that the U.S. Skyactiv version doesn't have the lower body side molding and no standard fog lights like the overseas model. Also, the 16" wheels don't look as good as the 17" wheels. Too bad Mazda made it look more like an economy car. I guess it is all part of trying to keep the cost down with the more expensive engine and transmission.
mjonell says:
04:27 AM, 10/05/2011
From Dagmar3: "I thought the Skyactive powertrain was going to be coupled with drastic weight reduction in the various models. Has Mazda shelved the weight reduction plans? Or will it take them a decade to phase in everything?
And which model gets the Skyactive diesel? "
The weight reduction design is being rolled out on the CX-5 and Mazda-6 platform, which should debut in the spring of 2012 (for the CX-5, not sure on Mazda6).
Skyactiv-D engine MIGHT come to the US in 2013 on the CX-5.