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2019 Mazda 3: Design and interior spied in testing

The Concept-favouring hatch design for Mazda's new small car has been revealed, along with a tantalising look at its cabin.


Revealing new spy photos of the imminent 2019 Mazda 3 have surfaced ahead of its LA motor show debut, offering the best look yet at the hatch style's final design.

As expected, and as recent teasers have hinted, the new Mazda 3 small car will take much of its inspiration from the muscular Kai concept unveiled at last year's Tokyo motor show.

Similarities will include a visually wider design for a more planted look and, likely to the driver's detriment, a thicker C-pillar to give the five-door hatch a more coupe-like appearance.

Surprising no one, and especially not since the Kai was revealed, the new 3 will otherwise continue the themes set out years ago with the 'Kodo' design themes crafted by Ikuo Maeda (whose father designed the original RX-7).

Sharper, longer and narrower headlights will frame an updated grille design now already common to facelifted models elsewhere in the Mazda range, while the tail lamps will benefit from the same treatment – along with a Jag-like circular shape around the main light unit.

These spy photos also offer a first look at the new 3's cabin, where we see the design will again build on existing themes, also hinted at with the Kai concept.

And, if the thrice-upgraded 6 is any indication, we can likely expect the new Mazda 3 to offer a more premium array of materials along the dash and centre console.

A new main display panel, shorter top-to-bottom but also wider, sits atop the dash, with the familiar rotary controller featured below. The unit also shows thick bezels either side of the display itself, suggesting we could see an even wider screen down the road.

Functional and cosmetic updates to Mazda's MZD Connect infotainment system are still to be confirmed, although the on-screen information in these photos appears to be showing a new minimalist look.

Behind the sporty, satin chrome-accented steering wheel sits a traditional three-ring instrument cluster design, with the centre ring hosting a colour digital display. Recent spy photos suggest a full digital display could also appear at some stage.

Little else is known about the new 3, although Mazda has previously confirmed it will be the first model to host the new lightly-supercharged Skyactiv-X petrol engine.

If there was any doubt, these images also confirm that three-pedal fans will still have the option of a manual transmission.

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