#LAAutoShow: TEASED! The Next-gen, 2019 Mazda 3 SEDAN And HATCH Are On Their Way — What Do They NEED To SUCCEED?

At the end of the month, the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show (LAAS) kicks off. While we're expecting some major debuts to appear, it tends to be a bit on the quieter side over the past couple of years.

This year though, it seems Mazda is looking to change that.

That's because Mazda will be making a big-time debut. It's bringing its popular entry-level sedan and hatchback, the Mazda 3, to LA where it will meet the world. As of today the vehicles haven't seen the light of day just yet; however, the automaker distributed a teaser image of both vehicles.

Not much is known about the next-generation improvements to the 3, but we suspect it's pretty obvious that updated or all-new powertrains will be in order to provide greater fuel efficiency as well as a bump in power. What will be interesting to see is how Mazda updates the 3's interior, which is considered best-in-breed by some in the auto biz.

Having said that, we want to know: What does the all-new Mazda 3 NEED to SUCCEED against vehicles like the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic? What say you, Spies?

MDarringer - 11/10/2018 4:16:41 PM

0 Boost

The rear pillar to the hatchback is far too thick. There is no way that can come out looking good. Mazda is better than its sales would suggest, but this most decidedly won't be the model that rectifies that.

cidflekken - 11/10/2018 9:03:50 PM

+1 Boost

The hatch will be the Japanese Breda. As far as succeeding it will b he same story: great looking, great driving cars that will sell at 25% of the rate of the top sellers.

cidflekken - 11/11/2018 3:01:41 PM

+1 Boost

Sorry meant Brera. Frickin' autocorrect

MrEE - 11/10/2018 9:41:24 PM

+1 Boost

Ford should have kept the partnership and had Mazda supply all their FWD cars and small/compact crossovers.

MDarringer - 11/10/2018 10:49:08 PM

0 Boost

It is indeed interesting that they pitched Mazda, then again Ford is no worse off without them either. Proving that Sergio Marchionne was an idiot, was the fact that he inked a deal with Mazda for the Miata and not for their entire line that would have revitalized Dodge and Chrysler for cheap. That said, I don't know that Mazda has any value to anyone anymore. Their engine technology simply isn't that game changing.

TomM - 11/11/2018 6:48:24 AM

+1 Boost

I have been recommending the Mazda Three in this category for a long time - based on the fact that the local dealer is fantastic over the local Mall Honda monster. However - the Mazda cars tend to have less interior room than a Honda does - that might be changed.

Alas - Mazda is probably not long as an independent - I agree with Matt that it would have been a great combination for Fiat. However - I still believe that a Hybrid with a Rotary engine could be developed that would be superior to current 4 cylinder option.

MDarringer - 11/11/2018 9:31:02 AM

+1 Boost

Toyota is already absorbing Mazda and Subaru probably as a hedge to the Chinese buying them.

Stur3186 - 11/11/2018 3:13:31 PM

0 Boost

The rear pillar isn't too big. Mazda is doing fine on it's own. You do know that Mazda is in the Top 3 car makers after Lexus and Toyota. I've owned many cars from different companies and Mazda has been a great buy.

MDarringer - 11/11/2018 3:44:31 PM

0 Boost

It's hideously thick.

carsnyc - 11/11/2018 9:52:01 PM

+2 Boost

Mazda’s biggest problem is their low rate dealership network and marketing campaigns. Thank God we are past the ridiculous zoom-zoom campaign (freaking 10 years of it!) for cars deserving a lot more.

MDarringer - 11/12/2018 9:15:12 AM

0 Boost

Indeed. There simply is no way Mazda will remain viable as a stand-alone manufacturer. Its designs are in no way innovative or class leading. "Skyactiv" technology means their engines pass smog tests and nothing more. Mazdas are not exceptionally thrifty.

qwertyfla1 - 11/12/2018 12:58:25 PM

0 Boost

I would disagree. I have owned many Mazdas and they have all been bullet proof up to 350KM except the Mazda6 which was a reskinned POS Ford with the Duratec motor that I blew 2 of them running synthetic and Lucas oil stabilizer. Maybe I got lucky as I have also had great reliability with my 3 Jags XJ, XJR and VDP?

I do want Mazda to survive and thrive though as they make fun cars to drive and have some of the best design language of all the OEMs and certainly the best Asian nameplates.

focal - 11/12/2018 10:59:50 AM

+1 Boost

As two independents still, Mazda and BMW would make a good fit. Mini and Mazda could share the small car platforms and eventually share the X1 and 1-series cars.

MDarringer - 11/12/2018 3:10:57 PM

0 Boost

Yeah, pairing two companies with imagined-not-real engineering prowess who both are staggering for sales makes total sense.

iamdabest1 - 11/12/2018 1:16:43 PM

0 Boost

mazda is WAY too expensive . just for fun, i recently congfigured the new miata and it came out to like 40k ! like what the hell ???

MDarringer - 11/12/2018 3:09:58 PM

-2 Boost

And for $40K you get the "queen" of fruity martini, middle-aged hairdressers', cute cars and nothing more.