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2019 Mazda CX-3 small crossover will start at $21,365

The figures are in for the 2019 Mazda CX-3 subcompact crossover, which will start at $21,365 when it arrives in showrooms later this month. That's $280 above the outgoing model, including a $975 destination and handling fee. Fuel economy figures are also now in from the EPA. When equipped with front-wheel drive, the 2019 CX-3 gets 29 miles per gallon in the city and 34 on the highway for a combined 31 mpg. The all-wheel-drive version is rated at 27 mpg in the city, 32 on the highway and 29 combined. Which are ... exactly the same figures as the outgoing version (so much for the promised fuel economy improvements). We detailed most of what's new about the 2019 version back in March at the New York Auto Show. Mostly, they're non-cosmetic changes: The carryover 2.0-liter Skyactiv four-cylinder picks up a couple more horsepower and pound-feet of torque for 148 total horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque, joining a six-speed automatic transmission with manual-shift and sport modes. It also gets Mazda's G-Vectoring Control driving technology, a sportier, retuned suspension and improvements to make the driving experience quieter and more refined. Mazda says it's also added an electronic parking brake, which necessitated a redesign of the center console and armrest, adding storage space, and it redesigned the front seats and added a new rear armrest with built-in cupholders. Standard features include a new direct tire-pressure monitoring system and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, two USB ports, a rearview camera, hands-free Bluetooth calling and audio pairing capability, and the 7-inch Mazda Connect full-color infotainment and diagnostic display, controllable via voice command or control knob. The new Sport i-ACTIVSENSE Package of safety technologies is available for an extra $1,100. It adds features including smart city braking support with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, radar cruise control with stop-and-go function, LED headlights and LED combination tail lights. Other trim levels include Touring, which adds 18-inch wheels and keyless entry, and the top-level Grand Touring, which starts at $26,720 and $28,120 for front- and all-wheel-drive configurations, respectively. Grand Touring includes the Sport i-ACTIVSENSE Package, plus Parchment or black full-leather seating with high-gloss pleated piping and chrome accents on the front bumper and side sills, among other features.

2015 Mazda3 finally pairs 6-speed manual with larger engine

With all of the hype and anticipation surrounding the 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata, the Japanese brand was able to sneak another driver-oriented model into its lineup. The company's spec page for the 2015 Mazda3 hatchback and sedan have been updated to list the Skyactiv-G 2.5-liter four-cylinder as finally being available with a six-speed manual transmission, in addition to the previous six-speed automatic. The automaker had promised the row-your-own gearbox with the bigger engine back when it first announced the new Mazda3, but it waited a model year to actually put the combo on sale.
According to Mazda's specs, the manual gearbox trims 40 pounds off of a hatchback or 54 pounds off of a sedan in s Touring and s Grand Touring trims. However, shedding that weight doesn't necessarily boost fuel economy. The six-speed hatch is rated at 26 miles per gallon city and 35 mpg highway, compared to 27/37 for the automatic. The manual sedan is rated at 25/37 city/highway mpg, versus 28/39 with the auto. Buyers can save a little money by opting for the manual, though. Regardless of body style, it's about $1,050 cheaper than the automatic.
Autoblog reached out to Mazda and learned that the 2.5L 6MT models started hitting dealers in August. The 2.5 wasn't initially available with the stick because, "We had to prioritize engineering resources and the 2.5L 6MT was not a high priority combination. Globally, smaller engines are preferred in terms of sales," a Mazda spokesperson explained via email. The automaker also notes that Austrailia will probably be the only other market outside of North America to get the six-speed gearbox with the larger engine.

Mazda Hazumi concept presages next Mazda2

Looks like Mazda's big Geneva Motor Show debut is actually something quite small. Teased here, the Hazumi concept "points the way to the future" for the brand's subcompact offering, the Mazda2. Details are slim as of this writing, but from what we can see in the image above, the Hazumi will use the same Kodo design language found on the Mazda3, Mazda6 and CX-5. We're big fans of this styling direction, so we fully expect the concept to be quite an attractive little number.
Hazumi means "bound" or "spring up" in Japanese, with Mazda saying this nomenclature is "particularly well-suited to a small car that appears to be bursting with energy." In other words, say goodbye to the friendly faced Mazda2 we've enjoyed since it launched in the United States in 2010. Instead, prepare for something decidedly more assertive, hopefully improving upon the already-great driving dynamics of the current subcompact. If we're honest, we can't wait.
Mazda will also use the Geneva show to debut its new small-displacement, 1.5-liter Skyactiv-D diesel engine. The automaker hasn't confirmed that this new fuel-efficient powerplant will be part of the Hazumi concept package, but considering the two are debuting alongside each other, it would seem to make sense. As for whether or not this engine could come stateside when the next Mazda2 launches, we're not holding our breath for that, especially considering the company's current woes with US-spec diesel engines.