A guide to Mazda cars in Australia
Mazda is traditionally one of the top-performing vehicle brands in Canstar Blue’s annual review of new cars, and it’s easy to see why when you see what’s on offer. There are eight types of Mazda vehicles on sale here in Australia, with each emphasising drivability and comfort. In this review, Canstar Blue walks you through the complete Mazda range, showing what sort of features you can expect, and what you’ll need to pay.
Mazda2
The Mazda2 is possibly the manufacturer’s most well-known car, offering what it describes as ‘quick-witted agility’ and outstanding fuel economy. It comes as either a hatch or sedan, and is a great vehicle choice for anyone needing a compact car to zip around town. There are two models of Mazda2 sedan – the Neo and Maxx, while the hatch includes an additional model, the Genki.
Mazda2 features
| Mazda2 Neo | Mazda2 Maxx | Mazda2 Genki |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | ||
|
|
Same engine specs as Mazda2 Maxx |
| Features | ||
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All Neo features, plus/or:
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All Maxx features, plus/or:
|
Mazda2 price
A new Mazda2 Neo hatch or sedan will cost in the vicinity of $17,000, while the Maxx prices a little closer to the $20k mark. The Mazda2 Genki hatch is the most expensive, generally costing upward of $23,000 – even more if you purchase the bonus S pack with a luxury interior.
Mazda3
The Mazda3 is a sporty and stylish hatch or sedan which promises powerful performance while still achieving outstanding fuel economy. Of course, it’s not just about what’s under the hood, as the Mazda3 boasts a slew of features for comfort and safety, making it another great choice for busy city dwellers as well as families. There are four models of Mazda3, providing a range of options to suit your needs.
Mazda3 features
| Mazda3 Neo | Mazda3 Maxx | Mazda3 Touring | Mazda3 SP25 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | |||
|
Same engine as specs as Mazda2 Neo | Same engine specs as Mazda2 Neo |
|
| Features | |||
|
All Neo features, plus/or:
|
All Maxx features, plus/or:
|
All Touring features, plus/or:
|
Mazda3 price
The Mazda3 Neo and Maxx vehicles generally cost between $24,000 and $28,000 depending on transmission type. The Touring is a touch more expensive, around the $30k mark. The Mazda3 SP25 is the priciest in this line, costing anywhere from $29,000 to $37,000, depending on whether you opt for the added GT or Astina features.
Mazda6
Unlike the Mazda2 and Mazda3, this car focuses a little less on family and city practicality, and a bit more on style, class and sportiness. There are four models in the Mazda6 range, with even the most basic of the range, the Mazda 6 Sport, boasting a powerful petrol engine and a wide host of features.
Mazda6 features
| Mazda6 Sport | Mazda6 Touring | Mazda6 GT | Mazda6 Atenza |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine & Transmission | |||
|
|
Same engine specs as Mazda6 Touring | Same engine specs as Mazda6 Touring |
| Features | |||
|
All Sport features, plus/or:
|
All Touring features, plus/or:
|
All GT features, plus/or:
|
Mazda6 price
Prices in the Mazda6 range start at about $36,000 for the Mazda6 Sport. The Touring costs a bit more, between $40,000 and $45,000 depending on fuel type. The GT and Atenza models should set you back about $45k to $53k, again depending on the fuel type, with diesel models being the most expensive.
Mazda CX-3
The Mazda CX-3 is marketed as an SUV that can move you like nothing else. The Mazda CX-3 boasts several major awards as both a city and family-friendly car, combining enhanced capability with city-friendly size, all without compromising on connectivity and safety. There are four different Mazda CX-3 models – the Neo, Maxx, sTouring and Akari.
Mazda CX-3 features
| CX-3 Neo | CX-3 Maxx | CX-3 sTouring | CX-3 Akari |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine & Transmission | |||
|
2.0L Petrol or 1.5L Diesel
|
Same engine specs as Mazda CX-3 Maxx
|
|
| Features | |||
|
All Neo features, plus/or:
|
All Maxx features, plus/or:
|
All sTouring features, plus/or:
|
Mazda CX-3 price
Prices will vary depending on the transmission and fuel type of the vehicle, as well as the model. The Mazda CX-3 Neo is the cheapest in the CX-3 line, costing around $23,000 to $25,000. The Maxx is priced around $26,000 to $30,000, the sTouring about $31,000 to $38,000, and the Akari, $37,000 to $42,000.
Mazda CX-5
The Mazda CX-5 is a well-rounded SUV – spacious enough for the family, yet with plenty of features to make driving safe and enjoyable. Once again, there are four models of CX-5, with each adding a little extra style and performance.
Mazda CX-5 features
| CX-5 Maxx | CX-5 Maxx Sport | CX-5 GT | CX-5 Akera |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine & Transmission | |||
|
|
|
Same engine specs as Mazda CX-5 GT |
| Features | |||
|
All Maxx features, plus/or:
|
All Maxx Sport features, plus/or:
|
All GT features, plus/or:
|
Mazda CX-5 price
As mentioned, the price of a vehicle will depend on a number of factors. This includes the fuel and transmission type, as well as when and where you buy. Generally speaking, the Mazda CX-5 Maxx starts at the lowest price, between $31,000 and $36,000. The Maxx sport is a decent step-up in price, costing $37,000 to $42,000. The GT and Akera models are fairly similar in price, around $48,000 to $55,000.
Mazda CX-9
The CX-9 is Mazda’s ultimate family SUV. It has 7 seats and is the first Mazda vehicle to boast the ‘breakthrough’ SKYACTIV-G 2.5T turbocharged petrol engine. It also comes standard with the latest connectivity and safety features, including an integrated Bluetooth system and Mazda’s i-ACTIVSENSE monitoring. The four models of Mazda CX-9 are the Sport, Touring, GT and Azami.
Mazda CX-9 features
| CX-9 Sport | CX-9 Touring | CX-9 GT | CX-9 Azami |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Engine & Transmission |
|||
|
Same engine specs as Mazda CX-9 Sport | Same engine specs as Mazda CX-9 Sport | Same engine specs as Mazda CX-9 Sport |
| Features | |||
|
All Sport features, plus/or:
|
All Touring features, plus/or:
|
All GT features, plus/or:
|
Mazda CX-9 price:
You shouldn’t expect a family SUV with as many features as the CX-9 to come cheap. Prices for the Mazda CX-9 sport (FWD) start at about $46k. The CX-9 Touring costs about $53k, the GT, $62k, and the Azami, $65k. If you prefer an AWD, expect to pay approximately $5,000 extra on each of the mentioned prices.
Mazda MX-5
Mazda brazenly labels its MX-5 as the ‘world’s favourite sports car’, winning the world car of the year award in 2016. The Mazda MX-5 certainly looks the part, with its two-seats, retractable roof, LED headlights and green tinted windows, but this sports car doesn’t skimp on the interior features either. It has premium Bose speakers, internet-integrated radio, 7” colour touch-screen display and a type pressure monitoring system.
There are two models of Mazda MX-5 – the Roadster and the RF, though we wouldn’t be doing these vehicles justice by listing their features here. Customers may also upgrade to the Roadster GT and RF GT, which add leather heated seats, keyless entry and rain-sensing wipers.
Mazda MX-5 price
The Mazda MX-5 is more affordable than you might expect. The Mazda MX-5 Roadster costs around $38,000, while the RF prices around $42k. Upgrading to the GT versions will cost an additional two to five grand.
Mazda BT-50
Most vehicle manufacturers include at least one work-ute in their vehicle range. For Mazda, that’s the BT-50. The six main models of BT-50 are: The Hi-Rider, XT, XTR, GT, XT Hi-Rider and XTR Hi-Rider. That said, there are technically dozens of versions of BT-50, as each of these vehicles are available as both 4×2 and 4×4, and with either a single, freestyle or dual cab.
Mazda BT-50 features vary across each of the models, as well as with the drive type and cab size, making it difficult to list all the possible features. As a standard however, Mazda BT-50’s will usually include: Trip computer, cruise control, hands-free Bluetooth and steering-wheel audio controls. The BT-50 range also boasts a powerful engine with the choice of either a 2.2L or 3.2L intercooled turbo diesel in either auto or manual transmission.
Mazda BT-50 price
There are a few key things to note when you’re in the market for a new ute:
- 4x4s are more expensive than 4x2s
- Dual cabs are the most expensive, followed by freestyle (extra) cab vehicles. Single cab utes are the cheapest
- Automatic transmission vehicles are cheaper than manual vehicles
A Mazda BT-50 single cab will cost between $26,000 and $30,000, while freestyle cab Mazda’s price anywhere from $32,000 to $45,000. The dual cab BT-50s can cost anything from $35,000 to $50,000.
About the author of this page
This report was written by Canstar Blue’s Site Editor, Dean Heckscher. He’s our resident expert on all things automotive, health & fitness, streaming and more. Dean is also one of Canstar Blue’s customer research report producers, helping to turn complicated subjects into easily-digestible information for our readers. He’s passionate about helping consumers make better-informed purchase decisions on all manner of consumer goods and services.