While Mazda is rolling out a range of new, more premium SUVs, some of its longest-running nameplates are getting on in years… and there are no replacements in sight.
When asked how much life left in the current Mazda 2, Mazda 6 and CX-3, Mazda Australia national marketing director Alastair Doak told CarExpert: “lots”.
“They will continue in our lineup for the foreseeable future, certainly Mazda 2 and CX-3,” he continued.
But Mr Doak was less equivocal about the future of the Mazda 6 beyond next year, saying: “Mazda 6 will be around into next year as well.
“As long as [the Mazda 6 is] available, we’ll take it. And it’ll be with us into next year, absolutely.”
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CX-3
While the Mazda 2, Mazda 6 and CX-3 have all received multiple updates since their launches, they’ve all blown past the typical lifecycle for vehicles in their respective segments.
The current Mazda 6 launched here in 2012, with the Mazda 2 following in 2014 and the CX-3 in 2015.
Not only that, but Mazda has axed the CX-3 in North America and Europe, while the Mazda 6 now exists in a handful of markets across Europe, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Africa, as well as Australia.
The Mazda 6 was even axed in the Japanese market earlier this year. Our models are still sourced from Japan, however, despite assembly also taking place in Vietnam to serve that market.
Mazda 2
It’s unclear what future the Mazda 6 has. It has already been discontinued in traditionally sedan-friendly markets like North America, where it was axed in 2021, and China, where it was dropped earlier this year.
Previous reports had suggested Mazda would develop a successor on the Large Architecture of its CX-60, CX-70, CX-80 and CX-90 SUVs, something which never eventuated.
Mazda does have a new mid-sized sedan in China with the EZ-6, derived from a Changan model, but it has yet to confirm this for markets like ours.
The Mazda 2 also had its lifespan extended last year with another facelift bringing a bolder look; it continues to be sold in Europe despite the availability there of the Mazda 2 Hybrid, a lightly restyled Toyota Yaris.
Mazda 6
No prototypes have been spied of next-generation Mazda 2, Mazda 6 or CX-3 models.
The CX-3 is seemingly an important model for Mazda globally, given it occupies the light SUV segment and gives the brand a more affordable entry point to its crossover range than the larger CX-30.
It’s definitely an important model for the brand locally, being the brand’s second best-seller.
Mazda has sold 13,802 CX-3s this year in Australia to the end of September, less than only the CX-5 (17,677 sales).
Its popularity shows no sign of abating despite its age. Sales are up 12.8 per cent on the same period last year, and it remains the best-selling vehicle in its segment – ahead of even Toyota’s rival offering, the Yaris Cross.
The Mazda 2 has logged 3932 sales, up 1.6 per cent and making it the third best-selling vehicle in its admittedly shrinking segment; it’s also outselling the rival Toyota model, the Yaris (1877 sales).
Even the Mazda 6 is managing to keep its head above water. Mazda has sold 987 examples this year which, while down 17.1 per cent on the same period last year, puts it ahead of rivals like the Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata and Skoda Octavia.
MORE: Everything Mazda 2 • Mazda 6 • Mazda CX-3
