Mazda 2 and CX-3 get long-awaited tech upgrade in Japan, but not Australia yet
The related Mazda 2 city hatch and Mazda CX-3 city SUV have received a long-awaited upgrade to their infotainment systems in Japan, though Australian customers will miss out – for now.
2024 Mazda 2 interior in Japan
Japanese car maker Mazda has finally introduced its latest infotainment system to the 2024 Mazda 2 hatchback and CX-3 SUV – but it’s unclear when the technology added in its home market will come to Australia.
Four years after it debuted in the latest Mazda 3 hatch – and began to be rolled out to other Mazda cars and SUVs – the company’s newest ‘Mazda Connect’ infotainment software has been added to the pint-sized Mazda 2 hatch and CX-3 city SUV.
The software runs on an 8.8-inch touchscreen, replacing the 7.0-inch screen in the current Mazda 2 and the 8.0-inch display of the outgoing CX-3 – which ran Mazda’s ageing MZD Connect software.
It is unclear if the system will now function as a touchscreen on the move, or if touch functionality will remain available only when at a standstill.
2024 Mazda CX-3 interior in Japan
However, it is not clear if the upgrade will be brought to local showrooms in the short term, as Australian-delivered Mazda 2s and CX-3s are built in Thailand, rather than the Japanese-built and delivered models which have received the update.
A spokesperson from Mazda Australia told Drive the car-maker does not comment on future product plans.
The launch of the updated infotainment system in Japan coincides with the arrival of the facelifted Mazda 2 in Australia, which will retain the existing 7.0-inch touchscreen – while an updated CX-3 is due imminently, also with the older screen.
Australian-delivered Mazda 2 examples also continue to miss out on wireless Apple CarPlay, with only wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto available.
2024 Mazda 2 ‘Sci-Fi’
In Japan, Mazda’s updated infotainment system now incorporates connected features including emergency SOS (deployed when a crash is detected), a breakdown service and theft notifications.
Additional changes to the Japanese-built Mazda 2 include a new ‘Sci-Fi’ exterior package, which adds lime green accents on the hatchback’s grille surround, wheel spokes, door mirror caps and rear spoiler.
As previously reported, the updated Thailand-produced Mazda 2 is currently arriving in Australian showrooms with price rises of up to $1200.
The 2023 Mazda CX-3 is due imminently with price rises of up to $2790 – now without the option of a manual transmission or all-wheel drive.
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