The new facelift version of the Mazda3 is off to flying start in the market. Now it receives its Top Safety Pick certification from IIHS as well to continue its path more confidently.
Although Mazda has completely revamped its design language, the 3 still features the old smiley face and will have it for the next couple of years. Despite the rather old design it is still doing great in sales, especially with the new Skyactiv models.
Both 2012 Mazda3 sedan and hatchback models received the IIHS highest possible crash safety rating of “good” in all four tests conducted. Only vehicles equipped with Electronic Stability Control (ESC) are eligible for testing.
That’s no problem for the 3 as it comes with a range of safety features including six airbags (advanced dual front, front-seat mounted and full-length side curtain), anti-lock brakes (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) with a Traction Control System (TCS), front and rear stabilizer bars, a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), a “crushable” brake and accelerator pedal assembly and collapsible steering column, active front headrests, three-point safety belts for all seating positions, front seatbelt pretensioners with force limiters as well as Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH). Available safety options include a Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) system and Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS) with auto-leveling bi-xenon headlamps.
Those are all standard features! Now you see why it’s doing so well.
Starting at $15,200, Mazda3 is available with four powertrains on either four- or five-door styles. The sedan-only MZR 2.0-liter gasoline engine offers 148 horsepower with 135 lb.-ft. of torque. The SKYACTIV-G 2.0-liter engine, available for both sedan ($18,450) and hatchback ($18,950) models, produces 155 horsepower and 148 lb.-ft. of torque. Also available for both models is a larger MZR 2.5-liter engine, which boasts 167 horsepower and 168 lb.-ft. of torque. Starting at $24,000, the MAZDASPEED3 completes the lineup and is equipped with a direct-injected, turbocharged MZR 2.3-liter engine which produces 263 horsepower and 280 lb.-ft. of torque.
