- the 2021 mazda 3 sedan has a new base engine, a 2.0-liter inline-four.
- it makes 155 horsepower and 150 lb-ft of torque and comes with a six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive.
- other changes to the 2021 mazda 3 lineup include a new 2.5 turbo model and a renaming of the mid-level models with a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter engine to 2.5s.
at the same time that mazda is taking the 3 compact car further upmarket with a new turbo engine option, it's also expanding the lower end of the lineup with a new base engine. the 2021 mazda 3 sedan is now available with a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter inline-four that's less powerful than the previously standard naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four. pricing isn't available yet, but we assume this new 3 2.0 base trim will also undercut last year's starting price of $22,445.
the 2.0-liter engine makes 155 horsepower and 150 lb-ft of torque, and this base sedan version comes with front-wheel drive and a six-speed automatic. it comes standard with 16-inch wheels, several driver-assistance features, and an 8.8-inch infotainment screen but does without niceties such as heated seats and apple carplay/android auto capability.
a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter engine remains standard on other trims of the 2021 mazda 3, making the same 186 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque. the base model is called the mazda 3 2.0, while the 2.5-liter models are now called 2.5s and offer varying levels of equipment with the preferred, select, and premium packages. all-wheel drive is an option on 2.5s models and standard on 2.5 turbo models. the loaded front-wheel-drive hatchback version of the 3, the 2.5s with premium package, remains the only model that offers a six-speed manual transmission.
there's no word on u.s. availability of mazda's skyactiv-x compression-ignition gasoline engine technology for the 3. mazda has previously said it plans to bring these high-mpg engines here, but has no timeline for when that might happen.
the 2021 mazda 3 sedan and hatchback will be arriving at dealerships in august.