Over the last few years, Mazda has reinvented itself as a rising competitor in the car industry thanks to its budding reputation for producing some of the most reliable vehicles on the road. In 2020, Consumer Reports rewarded Mazda’s hard work and named it one of the most reliable brands of the year. Mazda responded in kind and released an impressive lineup of vehicles for 2021, which is what inspired our closer look at the 2021 model updates that you’ll find at your local Mazda dealer.
2021 Mazda CX-30
After debuting the CX-30 subcompact crossover in 2019, Mazda continues to impress with the latest 2021 CX-30 lineup that includes more standard features beginning with the CX-30 2.5 S that starts at a modest $21,900 with front-wheel drive. The base model is anything but basic and features a 2.5-liter SKYACTIV-G four-cylinder engine and a SKYACTIV-Drive six-speed automatic transmission capable of producing 186 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque. If you are looking for something with enhanced off-road and bad-weather performance, then Mazda’s i-Activ all-wheel drive is also available as an option.
Mazda answered the call from drivers to include more standard features and offers Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration on the 2.5 S. The model also includes a three-year trial of Mazda Connected Services and a six-month in-car WiFi hotspot. Other notable features include an upgraded 8.8-in center display, a 7-in driver information display, LED headlights, Bluetooth capability, and an electronic parking brake.
The manufacturer makes upgrading the CX-30 incredibly easy with the Select, Preferred, and Premium trim packages. The Select, which starts at $23,900, includes several updated safety features like Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Blind Spot Monitoring, and Advanced Keyless Entry. The Preferred starts at $26,300 and adds luxury with a power moonroof and heated front seats. Finally, leather-trimmed seats, adaptive front lighting, a rear power liftgate, and a Bose 12-speaker premium audio system are part of the Premium trim that starts at $28,550.
2021 Mazda CX-30 2.5 Turbo
One of the biggest upgrades to the 2020 CX-30 lineup is the highly anticipated 2.5 Turbo, which has yet to make its official debut. The Turbo gets its name from its SKYACTIV-G 2.5 Turbo engine that’s capable of producing 250 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque with the standard i-Activ all-wheel drive transmission. The amenities don’t stop there with the Turbo also including advanced safety features like Smart City Brake Support Reverse, Traffic Jam Assist, Active Driving Display, and Traffic Sign Recognition that take driving the CX-30 2.5 Turbo to an entirely new level.
2021 Mazda CX-9
Another exciting update for the 2021 Mazda lineup is the CX-9, Mazda’s crossover SUV that offers third-row seating, excellent performance, and a stylish design. The biggest upgrades to the 2021 CX-9 are centered on style and technology. The exterior and interior are both updated, and the vehicle now features an impressive 10.25-inch center display boasting the newest Mazda Connect infotainment system.
There isn’t a question of performance for the 2021 CX-9 thanks to its SKYACTIV-G 2.5 Turbo engine that comes standard on every trim – Sport, Touring, Carbon Edition, Grand Touring, and Signature. The engine delivers 250 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque and performs exceptionally well with the six-speed SKYACTIV-Drive automatic transmission and the available i-Activ all-wheel drive system.
Like the CX-30, Mazda also boosted the CX-9’s standard features that now include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration as well as an in-car WiFi hotspot and Mazda Connected Services. Mazda didn’t skimp on technology features with its suite of i-Activsense safety features now standard on the CX-9. These features include Radar Cruise Control, Advanced Smart City Brake Support, Smart Brake Support with Collision Warning, Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, and Lane Departure Warning with Lane-Keep Assist.
With the trims ranging from $33,960 for the Sport to $46,605 for the Signature, Mazda made sure to elevate the driving experience for CX-9 owners. The models now come standard with heated front seats, tri-zone automatic climate control, Bluetooth capability, keyless entry, and push-button start. While each model adds various upgrades, the Sport base model offers plenty of luxury and convenience with LED headlights and taillights, heated and power door mirrors, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. This means that the higher-level trim packages like the Touring, Carbon Edition, Grand Touring, and Signature have even more amenities to offer!
2021 Mazda3
The Mazda3 is the best-selling Mazda in the world and earned top honors in 2020 when it was named the World Car Design of the Year. Mazda has consistently upgraded the iconic car over the years, and its 2021 lineup boasts three new powertrains, including the impressive 2.5 Turbo that’s capable of producing 250 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque. How’s that for power in a compact car?
With the Mazda3, Mazda stayed true to its 2021 theme of adding new standard features across the board, beginning with Mazda Connect Services, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, and an in-car WiFi hotspot. Other standard features include LED headlights and taillights, an 8.8-inch center display, Bluetooth capability, rearview camera, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. These are now standard across the Mazda3’s many trims: 2.0, 2.5 S, Select, Preferred, Premium, 2.5 Turbo, and 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus.
The car also includes both sedan and hatchback options, giving you the cargo space you need in an affordable and sporty package. The hedan begins with the 2.0 trim starting at $20,500, while the hatchback starts with the 2.5 S trim at $22,500. Both variants top out with the 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus, which costs $32,450 for the sedan and $33,750 for the hatchback. These trim names reflect the three engine options – the SKYACTIV-G 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, the SKYACTIV-G 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, and the SKYACTIV-G 2.5-liter dynamic pressure turbo engine.
The most anticipated update to the 2021 Mazda3 lineup is the 2.5 Turbo and Turbo Premium Plus, both of which feature a beefier engine that offers greater power, performance, and agility on the road. The 2.5-liter dynamic pressure turbo engine delivers 250 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque using premium fuel and 227 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque using regular fuel. But power isn’t the only thing that the Turbo has to offer, thanks to an available Aero Kit upgrade that adds aerodynamic styling to the high-performing car.
Mazda Answers the Call
Committed to design, innovation, and safety, Mazda remains a small but dynamic player in the automotive industry and continues to prove its competitive nature by offering the latest in technology, design, and performance. For Mazda, its mantra is simple: “Make cars that make driving matter. That’s why we build every Mazda to inspire, excite, and most of all – bring people joy.” This is undeniably the case with the 2021 model updates for the Mazda CX-30, Mazda CX-9, and the Mazda3 Sedan.
Visit a local Mazda dealer, and you’re sure to find an impressive number of features that now come standard on the 2021 models. These features range from entertainment and connectivity like the in-car WiFi hotspot and the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration to the many options and aesthetic upgrades like the 2.5-liter turbo engine found under the hood of the most popular Mazda in the world – the Mazda3 sedan. From there, the upgrades and options are seemingly endless on the entire Mazda lineup.
