Mazda Malaysia recently introduced an update for the Mazda 3 in Malaysia to refresh this model. This is expected from Mazda Malaysia as the Mazda 3 has already been on the market for the past 4 years. While this latest update is very minor, it does improve the appeal of this sedan. With this new update, Mazda is left with only 3 different variants, but with 2 body styles available. And the powertrain is now only available with the 2.0L engine variant. This time around, I will take a closer look at the base-spec Mazda 3 High variant and see how much appeal the updates bring to this vehicle.
In terms of looks, the Mazda 3’s familiar outlook remains untouched. That sporty silhouette has been carried forward, which is still an eye-catcher. To be fair, this latest Mazda 3 update is very minor on the outside; it is really hard to tell the difference. The only change on the exterior is the blinking pattern of the indicators. It now adopts the heartbeat-like blinking pattern just like the Mazda CX-30, which is a signature look of a Mazda. And as the base-spec Mazda 3, it rides on a set of 16-inch rims wrapped in 205/60 R16 tires. This rim and tire setup provide a good comfort level for the vehicle, but I think the Mazda 3 suits the larger 18-inch rims on the higher-spec variants better. 
Just like the exterior, the interior layout stays pretty much the same as the pre-facelift vehicle. But for the 2023 model, it comes with a much larger 10.25-inch infotainment screen. With this update, Mazda also introduced wireless Apple Carplay for the Mazda 3. But sadly, Android Auto still retains its wired connection as of now. Other than that, the graphics within the infotainment have been tweaked, and it is much smoother than before in terms of operation. Additionally, the navigation from Android Auto can now be displayed on the heads-up display, which is a welcome addition to the vehicle. 
Apart from that, the different USB ports around the dashboard have been upgraded to USB-C ports. This also brings faster charging speed for your devices when you charge them using these ports. These are pretty much the changes that the Mazda 3 receives. As for the driver’s seat, the Mazda 3 comes with very comfortable, well-designed seats. The driver still gets an electric power seat, but the front passenger seat is manually adjusted. This is expected from the base-spec Mazda 3. And for the rear seats, the legroom and headroom are good, but for a C-segment sedan, it is definitely not the largest in its class. And behind the rear seat, the Mazda 3 comes with a 444L boot space, which is not huge for the size of the vehicle. But it’s still usable. I think this is the sacrifice Mazda made to retain a sporty-looking vehicle silhouette. 
Under the hood, the Mazda 3 is powered by that familiar 2.0L naturally aspirated 4-cylinder Skyactiv engine. It has been the same engine since the launch of the Mazda 3, and the same goes for the 6-speed automatic transmission. This engine has the ability to produce 162 hp at 6,000 rpm and 213 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm. 
Similar to the CX-30, this engine produces a good amount of power when the engine speed is up. But at lower rpm, I do feel that this engine could use a bit more torque. If the engine had more low-end torque, it would make driving at lower speeds more enjoyable. If you’re driving long distances, I do notice that this engine is pretty frugal, which allows the driver to travel further if they do a lot of long-distance cruising.
As for the suspension, the Mazda 3 rides on the more comfortable side. This is because this base-spec Mazda 3 comes with thicker tires, and this provides additional cushioning to absorb road imperfections. With this tire and suspension combination, I do feel that there is some obvious body roll when you go for a spirited drive. But this does not mean that the Mazda 3 is unstable. In fact, the Mazda 3 is really capable in the corners. The steering is direct, and it gives the driver a good sense of confidence when tackling corners. The steering also provides good feedback from the front wheels, and the driver knows what the front wheels are doing.
Brake-wise, the Mazda 3 does come with sufficient stopping power for day-to-day drives. But in some more sporty driving conditions, the brakes could do with some upgrades so that they will provide even better stopping performance. And in the safety department, this base-spec Mazda 3 does not come with any driver assistance systems. If you spend more on the higher-spec models, you do get a full suite of driver assistance systems for the Mazda 3. The Mazda comes with 7 airbags, Emergency Stop Signal (ESS), Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Brake Assist (BA), Vehicle Stability Control System (VSC), Traction Control System (TCS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), and Hill Launch Assist (HLA). 
With the updated interior, this brings a new lease of life to the Mazda 3. But with the price increase to RM 156,059.00, the slight interior update may not be to everyone’s taste. And without many changes to the exterior, it is really hard to tell people that you’ve bought a newer vehicle. Then again, this does not mean that the Mazda 3 is not an appealing vehicle. The Mazda 3 is still a very handsome looking vehicle for anyone wanting a C-segment sedan, and if you usually buy a car by looks alone, the Mazda 3 is still up there in this department.
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