The Mazda 3 diesel will start to nudge Mazda’s small car into the premium pricing territory when it arrives locally in September/October of this year.
Based on the top-spec Astina ($36,190), the diesel should demand a price close to $40,000 (Mazda generally charges a $3000 premium for diesels), which puts it dangerously close to the likes of BMW 1 Series and Audi A3 sportback (both from $35,600 in petrol guise).
Named the Mazda 3 XD Astina, taking its naming convention from Japan, the Mazda 3 diesel will be available as a five-door hatch only, but for the first time will be offered with an automatic transmission.
Though manual buyers will still be catered for, a six-speed automatic gearbox should extend its appeal to a significantly larger audience: those looking for an all-you-can-eat small car with class-leading levels of technology, dynamics and practicality.
The Mazda 3 XD Astina gives buyers a choice of having a jam-packed small car with a Mazda badge instead of a bare bones German that relies on its badge for justification.
The Mazda 3 range continues to be the best-selling car in Australia and given the company’s prejudice towards private buyers (over fleets), its small lead over the Toyota Corolla extends further if you take fleet sales out of the equation.
Instead of competing with existing diesel challengers from Europe and Korea, Mazda has gone for a different approach, a diesel hot-hatch.
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