Mazda6 and Mazda CX-3 discontinued for 2022 model year
05-21-21, 12:15 PM
#1
Mazda6 and Mazda CX-3 discontinued for 2022 model year
It’s time to bid a sweet goodbye to the Mazda6 and Mazda CX-3. In a statement today, Mazda officially announced that both models would be discontinued after their 2021 model year run comes to an end.
“As consumer interests continue to evolve, Mazda will discontinue CX-3 and Mazda6 for the 2022 model year. Although these two vehicles will be leaving our lineup, we are proud of the performance, design, quality, and safety they contributed to our brand.”
The CX-3’s death comes as no surprise. It hardly had a reason for being after the CX-30 launched. Plus, Mazda culled its model range to just a single trim recently, which was nearly as effective at saying it’s dead as the official press release was.
It’s the Mazda6’s discontinuation that will leave us wondering and scratching our heads a bit. Ask just about any automotive reviewer what their favorite sedan is in this class, and the majority of responses will be either Mazda6 or Honda Accord. That said, there’s no hiding from sales figures. The Mazda6’s decade-high year was back in 2015 at 57,898 cars sold, and it’s been on a downward slope ever since. Mazda only moved 21,524 in 2019, and pandemic-stricken 2020 saw just 16,204 units sold. No matter how many experts trumpet the car’s superb driving dynamics and luxurious interior, the market doesn’t seem to care.
There’s a modicum of hope on the horizon, though. Reports and rumors point to Mazda coming out with a new midsize sedan that is rear-wheel drive and powered by an inline-six engine. We can only hope those rumors are true, and that the U.S. gets to bask in the glory of what will certainly be a flagship product for Mazda.
We’ve asked Mazda about its sedan strategy in the future, and received the standard "we cannot share details of future products at this time" response from a spokesperson. If this RWD I6 sedan ever does surface, there’s always the chance that Mazda gives it a new name, retiring “Mazda6” for good.
In the meantime, the 2021 Mazda6 lineup is loaded up with tons of trims and an optional 2.5-turbo engine. The Carbon Edition is new this year with blacked-out trim and an exclusive red leather interior, too. Buy it while it lasts, folks.
“As consumer interests continue to evolve, Mazda will discontinue CX-3 and Mazda6 for the 2022 model year. Although these two vehicles will be leaving our lineup, we are proud of the performance, design, quality, and safety they contributed to our brand.”
The CX-3’s death comes as no surprise. It hardly had a reason for being after the CX-30 launched. Plus, Mazda culled its model range to just a single trim recently, which was nearly as effective at saying it’s dead as the official press release was.
It’s the Mazda6’s discontinuation that will leave us wondering and scratching our heads a bit. Ask just about any automotive reviewer what their favorite sedan is in this class, and the majority of responses will be either Mazda6 or Honda Accord. That said, there’s no hiding from sales figures. The Mazda6’s decade-high year was back in 2015 at 57,898 cars sold, and it’s been on a downward slope ever since. Mazda only moved 21,524 in 2019, and pandemic-stricken 2020 saw just 16,204 units sold. No matter how many experts trumpet the car’s superb driving dynamics and luxurious interior, the market doesn’t seem to care.
There’s a modicum of hope on the horizon, though. Reports and rumors point to Mazda coming out with a new midsize sedan that is rear-wheel drive and powered by an inline-six engine. We can only hope those rumors are true, and that the U.S. gets to bask in the glory of what will certainly be a flagship product for Mazda.
We’ve asked Mazda about its sedan strategy in the future, and received the standard "we cannot share details of future products at this time" response from a spokesperson. If this RWD I6 sedan ever does surface, there’s always the chance that Mazda gives it a new name, retiring “Mazda6” for good.
In the meantime, the 2021 Mazda6 lineup is loaded up with tons of trims and an optional 2.5-turbo engine. The Carbon Edition is new this year with blacked-out trim and an exclusive red leather interior, too. Buy it while it lasts, folks.
05-21-21, 12:49 PM
#4
With 21 and 16K units sold in 2019 and 2020 respectively, I don't think the Mazda 6 ever sold in enough quantities to be a threat to anyone. It seems like Mazda is just giving up on non-CUV's in general. Though I'm surprised they haven't axed the Miata.
05-21-21, 12:50 PM
#5
Lexus Champion
05-21-21, 01:27 PM
#7
Lexus Fanatic
Bummer about the Mazda 6, most attractive car in the segment IMO. Market realities at work though. CX-3 makes sense, CX-30 is a similar and better product. If Mazda is smart they will call that the CX-3.
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05-21-21, 01:58 PM
#8
Pole Position
05-21-21, 02:33 PM
#9
05-21-21, 04:09 PM
#10
Lexus Fanatic
CX-3 being dumped is not surprising. Arguably the most unimpressive product Mazda sells in North America.....crude, tinny, and like a sardine can in the rear seat. CX-30 a far better vehicle.
I had a couple of MM-review-requests from CL members for what was (?) to be the incoming 2022 Skyaciv in-line 6 version of the next-generation Mazda6 (preferably, if possible, with manual transmission)....but it looks like we in the U.S. might not be getting the next gen Mazda6 at all, much less the high-zoot model.
I had a couple of MM-review-requests from CL members for what was (?) to be the incoming 2022 Skyaciv in-line 6 version of the next-generation Mazda6 (preferably, if possible, with manual transmission)....but it looks like we in the U.S. might not be getting the next gen Mazda6 at all, much less the high-zoot model.
05-21-21, 04:36 PM
#11
Lexus Fanatic
Not surprised the 6 is gone. Always felt the 6 seemed smaller inside and outside than the Camry, even though they are apparently the same size. But, it’s hard for the 6 to go head to head with the Camry which offers a i4, V6, i4 awd and a hybrid. There is also Honda and Hyundai. Nissan has something in the segment. My fav is the Subaru Legacy.
05-21-21, 05:37 PM
#12
I would bet that Mazda has given up on the concept of a midsize premium sedan altogether and moving onto crossovers like everyone else.
05-21-21, 06:23 PM
#13
Lexus Fanatic
That's what's really unusual. The U.S. market is pretty much the only one that will allow its consumers to buy high-displacement 6 cylinder engines without emissions fines out the wazoo like in Europe or China or Japan. So if Mazda were to make this hypothetical longitudinally mounted inline 6 premium sedan, which market is it for?
And, come to think of it, when I was driving Mazdas, some 30 years ago, they were known as the "Poor Man's BMW."
I would bet that Mazda has given up on the concept of a midsize premium sedan altogether and moving onto crossovers like everyone else.
05-21-21, 06:28 PM
#14
Austrailia might be another possibility, since Mazda has a pretty strong foothold there, but even the Aussies are crossover crazy now.
05-21-21, 06:28 PM
#15
Lexus Fanatic
There is no market for inline 6 premium sedan from Mazda. Maybe, just maybe if they shared a Toyota model with their partnership the cure or have.