Body style: Wagon (station wagon, estate, combi, touring)
Segment: Compact
Production years: 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994
Mazda was raising its car lineup, and it was already known for the RX7 and the comfy 626. But the carmaker needed a vehicle for the masses, and that's was the 323 lineup, in the compact segment.
In November 1985, Mazda revealed the sixth generation of its compact station wagon. It was based on the same platform as the rest of the range, which was introduced in January. The boxy-looking vehicle was not quite in the European trend, but they were close enough to fit in the compact segment. Its main advantages were the good standard features and its comfortable seats.
On the outside, the 323 featured only a few rounded edges: over the hood's front side and on the sides of the roof. Everything else was designed with flat surfaces. Its headlights were squared and horizontal, with a black grille between them. A black, wrap-around plastic bumper with a chromed line on it enhanced the car's look. The four doors were similar to those installed on the sedan. The 323 Wagon featured an additional pair of windows for the trunk area behind them. Its slightly sloped tailgate and thin D-pillars didn't look like it was a van conversion.
Inside, Mazda installed bucket seats with bolstering on the sides, but not for fast cornering. Those were designed to provide an adequate side, comfortable support for the front occupants. The rear folding bench could enlarge the trunk area in the rear, so everyone who had one was called to help move other friends. Depending on the engine and trim level, the 323 featured air conditioning and power windows.
Under the hood, Mazda offered a choice of three engines, both gasoline, and diesel. An AWD version was available as an option.
ENGINE SPECS - 1.5L 5MT FWD (75 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1490 cm3 |
Power: | 55.2 KW @ 5500 RPM 75 HP @ 5500 RPM 74 BHP @ 5500 RPM |
Torque: | 85 lb-ft @ 3500 RPM 115 Nm @ 3500 RPM |
Fuel System: | Carburetor |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 99 mph (159 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 14.4 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 175/70 R13S |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 166.1 in (4219 mm) |
Width: | 64.8 in (1646 mm) |
Height: | 56.3 in (1430 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 54.7/55.7 in (1,389/1,415 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 94.5 in (2400 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 6.7 in (170 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 13.3 cuFT (377 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.35 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2094 lbs (950 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3197 lbs (1450 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 25.8 mpg US (9.1 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 29.8 mpg US (7.9 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 30.9 mpg US (7.6 L/100Km) |
ENGINE SPECS - 1.6L 5MT AWD (86 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1598 cm3 |
Power: | 63.2 KW @ 5000 RPM 86 HP @ 5000 RPM 85 BHP @ 5000 RPM |
Torque: | 92 lb-ft @ 2500 RPM 125 Nm @ 2500 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 99 mph (159 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 14 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | All Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 175/70 R13S |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 166.7 in (4234 mm) |
Width: | 64.8 in (1646 mm) |
Height: | 56.3 in (1430 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 54.7/55.7 in (1,389/1,415 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 94.5 in (2400 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 6.7 in (170 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 13.3 cuFT (377 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.35 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2436 lbs (1105 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3417 lbs (1550 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 23.1 mpg US (10.2 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 27.4 mpg US (8.6 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 27.7 mpg US (8.5 L/100Km) |
ENGINE SPECS - 1.6L 5MT FWD (86 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1598 cm3 |
Power: | 63.2 KW @ 5000 RPM 86 HP @ 5000 RPM 85 BHP @ 5000 RPM |
Torque: | 92 lb-ft @ 2500 RPM 125 Nm @ 2500 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 101 mph (163 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 11.4 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 175/70 R13S |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 166.7 in (4234 mm) |
Width: | 64.8 in (1646 mm) |
Height: | 56.3 in (1430 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 54.7/55.7 in (1,389/1,415 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 94.5 in (2400 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 6.7 in (170 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 13.3 cuFT (377 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.35 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2161 lbs (980 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3263 lbs (1480 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 24.8 mpg US (9.5 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 42 mpg US (5.6 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 31.4 mpg US (7.5 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 178 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 1.7L D 5MT FWD (56 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1720 cm3 |
Power: | 41.2 KW @ 4700 RPM 56 HP @ 4700 RPM 55 BHP @ 4700 RPM |
Torque: | 75 lb-ft @ 3000 RPM 102 Nm @ 3000 RPM |
Fuel System: | Indirect Injection |
Fuel: | Diesel |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 87 mph (140 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 19 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 175/70 R13S |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 166.7 in (4234 mm) |
Width: | 64.8 in (1646 mm) |
Height: | 56.3 in (1430 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 54.7/55.7 in (1,389/1,415 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 94.5 in (2400 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 6.7 in (170 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 13.3 cuFT (377 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.35 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2216 lbs (1005 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3197 lbs (1450 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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Combined: | 37.3 mpg US (6.3 L/100Km) |