Certain variants of the Mazda 3 small car and CX-5 family SUV are no longer fitted with particular tech features – but have been hit with price rises of up to $700.
Mazda Australia has quietly cut two technology features from certain high-grade versions of the 2022 Mazda 3 and Mazda CX-5 – while increasing their prices by as much as $700.
The latest specification lists from Mazda Australia show high-grade GT SP and Akera versions of the CX-5 mid-size family SUV are no longer fitted with hands-free ‘kick’ functionality for their power tailgates, instead reverting to access only via the key fob, or a button on the tailgate.
Meanwhile, the second-from-range-topping Mazda 3 G25 GT is no longer fitted with a 12-speaker Bose sound system, switching back to lower models’ eight-speaker unbranded stereos. The flagship Astina grades retain the Bose system.
It’s understood ongoing parts shortages – including the semiconductors (computer chips) needed for modern cars – are to blame, representing the first time Mazda has ‘de-specified’ its vehicles to help keep production lines flowing.
Most Japanese car makers – including Toyota, Nissan and Honda – have opted to pause production lines to navigate the ongoing shortages, unlike European brands including Volkswagen and Peugeot, which have instead opted to delete chip-heavy features.
“Global parts supply, factory closures and logistics issues continue to challenge automotive manufacturing, nevertheless we continue to work closely with our dealer partners to deliver customer orders as soon as possible,” a Mazda Australia spokesperson said in a statement.
“Customers are encouraged to speak directly with their dealer to confirm availability and delivery estimates for their model of choice.”
But despite subtly removing features, Mazda Australia has increased prices across the affected variants by as much as $700.
Prices increased across Mazda’s model range by $200 in recent months, affecting the Mazda 3 and CX-5 – but industry guide Redbook (which displays data provided by carmakers) indicates the Mazda 3 G25 GT has risen by a further $500 alongside the feature deletion, from April production.
The 2022 Mazda CX-5 and 2022 Mazda 3 are in showrooms now.
2022 Mazda 3, CX-5 Australian pricing
- Mazda 3 G20 Pure manual – $26,540
- Mazda 3 G20 Pure auto – $27,540
- Mazda 3 G20 Evolve manual – $28,090
- Mazda 3 G20 Evolve auto – $29,090
- Mazda 3 G20e Evolve M Hybrid auto – $32,840
- Mazda 3 G20 Touring manual – $30,5900
- Mazda 3 G20 Touring auto – $31,590
- Mazda 3 G25 Evolve SP manual – $31,490
- Mazda 3 G25 Evolve SP auto – $32,490
- Mazda 3 G25 GT manual – $35,690
- Mazda 3 G25 GT auto – $36,690
- Mazda 3 G25 Astina manual – $38,690
- Mazda 3 G25 Astina auto – $39,690
- Mazda 3 X20 Astina auto – $42,690
- CX-5 Maxx 2.0 petrol FWD manual – $32,390
- CX-5 Maxx 2.0 petrol FWD auto – $34,390
- CX-5 Maxx Sport petrol 2.5 FWD auto – $38,190
- CX-5 Maxx Sport petrol 2.5 AWD auto – $40,690
- CX-5 Touring 2.5 petrol AWD auto – $42,580
- CX-5 Touring Active 2.5 petrol AWD auto – $42,880
- CX-5 Touring Active 2.2 diesel AWD auto – $45,880
- CX-5 GT SP 2.5 petrol AWD auto – $48,990
- CX-5 GT SP 2.5 turbo petrol AWD auto – $51,490
- CX-5 Akera 2.5 petrol AWD auto – $50,880
- CX-5 Akera 2.5 turbo petrol AWD auto – $53,380
- CX-5 Akera 2.2 diesel AWD auto – $53,880
Note: All prices exclude on-road costs. Hat tip to the Mazda CX-5 Club on Facebook for the news tip.
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