2010 Mazda3 Unveiled at the LA Auto Show

2010 Mazda3

Mazda today unveiled their all-new Mazda3 sedan at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The Mazda3 is their best-selling car worldwide, accounting for one-third of Mazda’s total sales.

So, what’s new? Not wanting to screw up a good thing, the new Mazda3 retains the same overall shape as the outgoing model, but has been completely redesigned. This must be the happiest car I’ve ever seen with the new front grille shown in the above photo. The vertical fog light and air intake combo complements the front, giving it a slightly aggressive feel. The rear is new too, of course, and features larger sporty tail lights above the dual-exhaust. The car is larger in every dimension.

The interior is redesigned as well (see image below,) focusing on driver comfort. Extending the seat cushion one inch gives the driver additional thigh support, and the backrests were extended and redesigned for improved posture.

The Mazda3 carries over the 148 horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder used in the outgoing model, but adds the 167 HP 2.5-liter engine used in the new Mazda6 for the sporty s model. A 5-speed manual transmission is standard in the Mazda3 i, while the s gets a 6-speed manual. A 5-speed automatic is available in both.

Fuel efficiency, which is a big selling point for the Mazda3 remains similar to the outgoing model. The 2.0-liter engine achieves a commendable 25 city/33 hwy mpg, and the 2.5-liter in the s model gets 21/29 mpg.

More images after the jump:

Filed Under: Car News • Mazda