2016 Mazda 3 / Axela Sedan Photos, engines & full specs

Mazda refreshed the third generation of the 3 / Axela lineup for the 2016 model year, and it produced it in both shapes, as a sedan or a hatchback.

After its separation from Ford Motor Company, Mazda's engineers started to work harder to create new products based on their own experience and developments, not on those provided by the American automaker. That was a good thing because it helped the designers become more creative. Thus, they created the Kodo lines, which were characterized by fluid lines and sharp angles, but in a different way than any other automakers on the market. Moreover, there were some changes on the mechanical side as well. While for most markets, the compact-sized vehicle was known as 3, in Japan, it used the Axela nameplate.

With its swept-back headlights and big, shield-like grille at the front, the 2016 3 / Axela sedan looked not just young and fresh but also sporty. From its profile, the curved lines sculptured on the doors resembled those from the 3's biggest sibling, the 6. Unlike its hatchback stablemate, the four-door version featured a short deck behind the rear windscreen and the thick C-pillars.

Inside, the automaker installed an improved dashboard, which sported an infotainment screen that followed the floating-design trend. It looked like it was mounted there after the car left the assembly lines. Yet, it was easy to control via a rotary knob placed on the center console. At the front, the bolstered bucket seats provided some side support during high-speed cornering, while at the back, it had just enough room for two adults but was limited for a third, middle-seated passenger.

Under the hood, the Japanese automaker installed a choice of five diesel and gasoline engines, depending on the market.