Refreshing or Revolting: 2019 Mazda3

The previous-generation Mazda3 was a looker when it first debut five years ago, and it continued to age gracefully throughout its life span. Mazda recently introduced the 2019 Mazda3 at the 2018 Los Angeles auto show, and it features the next evolution of the Japanese automaker’s Kodo: Soul of Motion design language. It’ll be a while before we drive the 2019 Mazda3, but we can take a look at how its design compares to its predecessor.

Immediately you’ll notice the 2019 Mazda3’s front fascia has undergone a thorough revision.The headlights are thinner, the signature grille is more rounded, and the chrome grille surrounds now extend under the headlights. Character lines on the side profile have been eliminated, giving the 2019 Mazda3 sedan a cleaner look. Cleaning up the side, however, gave the hatchback body style a more unique albeit divisive exterior. Thanks to the absurdly thick C-pillar, the hatch is the more unconventional of the two, and it stands out a little more than the sedan.

Mazda set out to create two distinctive characters with the 2019 Mazda3. The sedan continues with a conservative theme with a slightly squared-off rear fascia and thicker, rectangular taillight clusters. In contrast, the hatchback continues with the rounded theme, appearing bulbous the lower you go. Compared to its predecessor, the 2019 Mazda3 hatch has smaller rear and rear-side windows, and the taillights are thinner with smaller inner LED corona lights compared to its sedan sibling. Move inside, and you’ll notice a super minimalist interior with an 8.8-inch screen. There are fewer buttons on the dash compared to its predecessor, and with the exception of the one for the infotainment system, the knobs are smaller.

The 2019 Mazda3 will go on sale early next year. Initially, it will come with a 2.5-liter I-4 paired to either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic. The cutting-edge Skyactiv-X engine is slated to arrive in late 2019. The 2019 Mazda3 will mark the first time the compact car will be available with all-wheel drive. It will also be the first Mazda vehicle to utilize the automaker’s latest Skyactiv platform and an updated multimedia system.

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