2012 Mazda3 sedan starts at $15,200, Mazda3 i Touring with SKYACTIV starts at $18,450

2012 Mazda3

Mazda has finally dropped pricing on the 2012 Mazda3, which includes the first of the brand’s all-new fuel-efficient SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY.

“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, president and CEO, MNAO. “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.”

Prices for the 2012 Mazda3 i SV starts at $15,200, which is cheaper than the previous model year. Power comes from a 2.0 liter MZR engine making 148-hp. The 2012 Mazda3 i Sport starts at $16,845 and is optionally available with a 5-speed Sport automatic transmission. The Mazda3 i SV and Sport are not available on the five-door models.

Prices for the 2012 Mazda3 i Touring models with the new SKYACTIV 2.0 liter gasoline engine start at $18,450. Output comes in a at 155-hp with a peak torque of 148 lb-ft. EPA-rated fuel-economy comes in at 40 mpg on the highway.

Moving to the hatchback lineup, the 2012 Mazda3 i Touring hatchback with SKYACTIV-G starts at $18,950 with an EPA-rated 39 mpg on the highway. All Mazda3 i Touring and Grand Touring models are available with the SKYACTIV-MT 6-speed manual transmission or the all-new SKYACTIV-Drive 6-speed automatic transmission.

Prices for the 2012 Mazda3 i Grand Touring sedan start at $22,300 and $22,800 for the five-door hatch. The i Grand Touring gets you a power moonroof, power driver’s seat, leather-trimmed seats, heated front seats, a Bose Centerpoint 10-speaker Surround Sound System with AudioPilot and a full-color navigation system.

The 2.5 liter MZR 167-hp is also available on the Mazda3 s Touring and Grand Touring. Prices start at $21,300 for the Mazda3 s sedan and $21,800 for the hatch. Mazda3 s models come with 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels, Advanced Keyless Entry & Start System with push-button start, a moonroof, a dual zone automatic climate control system and a Bose Centerpoint 10-speaker Surround Sound System with AudioPilot. Navigation is now standard on all s Grand Touring models.

Last but not lease, prices for the 2012 MAZDASPEED3 starts at $24,000. The 2012 MAZDASPEED3 is powered by a 2.3 liter MZR turbocharged engine making 263-hp and 280 lb-ft of torque.

– By: Omar Rana