Mazda Spices Up 3 Older Models With a Shiny New Trim Level
Mazda recently released the all-new CX-50 and CX-90 SUVs to bolster its lineup. That’s after the Japanese automaker discontinued the Mazda6, CX-3, and CX-9. Now, the brand is spicing up three older models — the Mazda3, CX-30, and CX-5 — with a new trim level. How are Mazda’s sales for these three vehicles doing, and what does the Carbon Turbo trim offer?
What do Mazda sales look like for the Mazda3, CX-30, and CX-5?
Mazda sales numbers look solid for the Mazda3, CX-30, and CX-5.
The Mazda3 compact sedan saw year-to-date (YTD) sales of 18,121 from January through July 2023. That’s up almost 2,000 units from the previous year. The sedan is outselling the hatchback version, with 9,633 units delivered.
Meanwhile, the CX-30 pulled its share of Mazda sales through July. YTD data shows this subcompact crossover saw a 64.8% gain, with a total of 45,748 units sold, versus last year’s 27,767 in the same period.
The third model is the CX-5, selling 92,464 YTD. That number is down 0.4% from last year. Still, the compact SUV remains the best-selling Mazda model.
Debuting in 2020, the CX-30 is the newest of these three relatively older Mazda models. It hasn’t been around nearly as long as the Mazda3 and CX-5. The Mazda3 came out in 2003 as a 2004 model. And the company launched the perenially popular CX-5 in 2012.
To inject new life into these three vehicles, Mazda recently introduced the Carbon Turbo trim.
What does Mazda’s Carbon Turbo trim include?
To update the Mazda3 Turbo hatchback, CX-30, and CX-5, Mazda released the Carbon Turbo package. Its features include gloss-black metallic aluminum-alloy wheels, black-capped side mirrors, and a black front grille.
In addition, Mazda gave this trim a unique Zircon Sand Metallic exterior paint color. As for the interior, the cabin touts black suede, terracotta leather, and gunmetal accents.
The 2024 CX-5 Carbon Turbo starts at $37,000. Expect to pay at least $34,000 for the same package in the CX-30 and $31,750 for the Mazda3. Each vehicle offers this new trim at one of the higher levels in each model’s lineup.
Will the Mazda3 and Mazda CX-5 get a redesign?
Besides boasting the new Carbon Turbo trim, the Mazda3 got a few other updates for the 2024 model year. They include a 10.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and wireless charging. The car also has more standard safety tech, such as blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a rear-door alert system.
The company hasn’t released specifics about when it will redesign the Mazda3. The 2024 model is gas-powered, but the car could see an electrified powertrain in the next few years. Could that happen for the 2025 model? It’s too soon to tell.
And now that the CX-50 is here, will Mazda kill the CX-5? The automaker’s most popular model could disappear from the lineup in the next couple of years. Though the company has been mum about the SUV’s discontinuation, its retirement would be natural given Mazda’s past actions. For instance, the CX-30 replaced the CX-3, and the CX-90 killed the CX-9. So, it makes sense that the recently released CX-50 would replace the CX-5.
Until the brand updates or discontinues these models, it’s refreshing the latest CX-5, CX-30, and Mazda3 with the Carbon Turbo. This new trim touts some appealing aesthetics. Will it be enough to boost sales for these Mazda models? Only time will tell.
