2024 Mazda3 revealed in Japan. But CX-60 and CX-90 could arrive first in Ph
Mikko David · Apr 9, 2023 05:30 PM
0
0
The current-generation Mazda3 was launched in the Philippines back in August 2019. It has since provided the market with a stylish and elegant alternative to the Honda Civic (Specs | News) and ToyotaCorolla Altis.
While it showcased evocative styling, and refined driving characteristics at the time, it also came with a higher price range that made it a challenge to pick it over similarly priced crossovers with more bells and whistles.
For the 2024 model year in Japan, however, the Mazda3 gets a raft of updates that should make it more appealing and up-top-date versus its peers. And no, the updates don’t have anything to do with its design.
New to the Japan Domestic Market 2024 Mazda3 are the following features:
Ceramic Metallic and Sonic Silver Metallic colors
10.25-inch infotainment display
Deleted CD player
Illuminated USB-C ports
Wireless charging pad
And the removal of the base-model 15S sedan in Japan
The 2024 Mazda3 in Japan also gets an Inattentive Warning function that detects when a driver is distracted and shouts out an alarm and warning message. While i-Activsense also adds obstacle and pedestrian detection.
Another trickle down feature from the Mazda CX-60 (Specs | News) is a remote engine start via the MyMazda app which only works for automatic transmission-equipped models.
Other connected features via the software is driver speed, time and area monitoring.
The 2024 Mazda3 will sell for ¥2,288,000 to ¥3,866,500 in Japan. While in other countries, the Skyactiv-X and manual transmission options have been dropped.
It remains to be seen how Mazda Philippines will kit out its 2024 model year Mazda3 orders.
Will it arrive here?
We believe the better question would be, “When?”
In 2022, Mazda dealerships struggled to serve reservations of various models with vehicle deliveries often few and far between.
With supply issues brought upon by last year’s semi-conductor shortage now on the mend, it may have to service pending reservations of the current-spec Mazda3 first before any plans of the 2024 model year are finalized.
Currently, the Mazda3 is sold solely with a 2-liter Skyactiv-G gasoline engine under four variants. Other markets already have 2.5-liter naturally aspirated and 2.5-liter turbocharged mills already available.
Sport versions of the sedan and fastback are priced at ₱1,495,000. While M-Hybrid versions for both body styles are priced at ₱1,695,000.
But before that...
The newly unveiled Mazda CX-90 could make landfall in the Philippines sooner than expected.
Meanwhile, Mazda Philippines is also gearing up for the launch of the all-new Mazda CX-60 and Mazda CX-90 crossovers.
Mazda dealerships are already accepting reservations for both models with as many as 15 to 20 reservations in total for both models in one prime dealership alone.
According to our sources, the Mazda CX-60 will be slotting in the ₱2.5 to ₱3M price range; while the Mazda CX-90 is being pitched between ₱3.4 to ₱3.6M.
Both the Mazda CX-60 (shown here) and the CX-90 will sport the new turbocharged inline-6 mill with a Plug-in Hybrid EV variant a possibility.
Other ASEAN markets are getting their allocation very soon and the Philippines could be up next in the regional roll-out which should happen as early as May 2023.
With an automotive career spanning 27 years as a former touring car racer turned automotive journalist and photographer, Mikko also handled marketing and PR for two major Japanese car brands before finding peace and purpose in sharing his views about cars, driving, and mobility.
