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Mazda3 gets very subtle update

Mazda3 gets very subtle update Mazda3 gets very subtle update Mazda3 gets very subtle update Mazda3 gets very subtle update
Mazda's five-door hatch and four-door saloon get 'blink and you'll miss it' facelift.

What's the news?

The Mazda3 hatchback and Mazda3 saloon are getting an update for the 2017 model year, but we'll forgive you if you can't spot the changes. This is no Joan Rivers facelift; this is subtle in the extreme.

On the outside, there is a new grille, some slightly tweaked lights and, for the hatchback model, new bumpers. There are also some new colour options and new alloy wheels.

Inside, the updates are even more subtle, with upgrades for the trim materials and some very minor changes to the dashboard and centre console where there's now an electronic parking brake to free up some space. Again, very subtle stuff.

The engine line-up is unchanged so there is the choice of 120hp or 165hp 2.0-litre petrol engines, a 105hp 1.5-litre diesel or a 150hp 2.2-litre diesel. The diesel engines do now come with a system called Transient Control, which aims to reduce turbo lag and create a more petrol-like driving experience. There's also the introduction of Mazda's NSS or Natural Sound Smoother, which is supposed to reduce the knocking noise common to diesel engines on start up and at low speeds. New door seals and extra sound-deadening material should also boost refinement.

On the handling front, the Mazda3 will now be available with Mazda's G-Vectoring Control system, which tweaks the torque output of the engine to sharpen up the steering and increase cornering grip without resorting to a full limited slip front differential. On the tech front, you'll also be able to spec your Mazda3 up with a full colour heads-up display and LED adaptive headlights.

Sales of the updated Mazda3 will start later this year.

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Published on September 7, 2016