Pricing for new 2012 Mazda3 announced 10/07/2011
Mazda recently announced the pricing and details of the new 2012 Mazda3 series. Not only is the Mazda3 the best-selling car in Mazda's line-up, but it is also affordable. The base model Mazda3 i SV starts around $15,200, which is less than last year's model's MSRP of $15,800, according to U.S. News. This will also be the first year that Mazda will offer the Mazda3 as a hatchback in the U.S., as well as the first time that the automaker's new SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY will be available.
"The Mazda3 is the core of the Mazda line-up and continues to be the standard by which all other compact cars are measured," said Jim O'Sullivan, the president and CEO of Mazda's North American Operations. "Because of the importance of this critical vehicle to Mazda sales success, we chose to debut our revolutionary SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY in Mazda3, as well as bring the i SV model to market at a lower starting MSRP than the previous year."
SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY is a series of technology in the engine and the car that make Mazda vehicles more fuel-efficient. The SKYACTIV-G engine available in the i Touring model (MSRP $18,950) produces 155 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque. This engine offers 5 and 10 percent more hp and lb-ft of torque than the standard MRZ engine, which comes in the base model. The SKYACTIV-G engine gets 39 miles per gallon on the highway, making it the most fuel-efficient five-door compact car in its class. Mazda also offers SKYACTIV manual and automatic six-speed transmissions for an additional $850.