The Mazda 6 And CX-3 Are Dead In The US

It was redesigned in 2009 for a second generation, sporting a 2.5-liter four or a 3.7-liter V6 rated at 272 hp. The manual was only offered on the four-pot during this generation. You might remember that this was the one with the spider problem.

Yellow sac spiders were drawn to its fuel line smell, "though the amount of vapor wasn't enough to kill it." The spiders would build nests, forcing Mazda to recall 50,000 examples, then another 15,000, affecting both engine configurations. This was the Mazda6 produced on American soil as the best-looking gen-three sedan went back to Japan for production.

The third-gen Mazda 6 was only offered with a 2.5-liter, 184-hp four in North America. It debuted as a 2014 model complete with a manual transmission, though not in the top, Grand Touring trim. Standard features included Bluetooth, 17-inch wheels, keyless entry and push button start. It got a facelift in 2018, adding the 250-hp V6 for top trims, but it was the beginning of the end. From 2014 to 2020, sales crashed from over 50,000 units a year to less than 20,000.

The last we heard the next Mazda 6 was getting a new inline-six engine making around 350 hp with rear-wheel drive and styling based on the Vision concept. With today's news, that won't come to fruition. That's too bad, considering it has always been one of our favorite affordable midsizers on the market.

We don't have nearly as much love for the CX-3 as we have for the 6. It was a fine vehicle, based on the same platform as the Mazda2, but there wasn't a lot there for enthusiasts. It came out in 2016 and only was around for one generation. It featured the Skyactiv-G engine developing 146 hp and 148 lb-ft. Sales peaked in 2016 with more than 18,000 vehicles sold.

The slightly larger CX-30 joined the lineup in 2019, outselling the CX-3 handily due to its size, utility and slightly higher power output, putting the final nail in the coffin.

You can still buy both the Mazda 6 and CX-3 in 2021 models, so if you're in the market, now's the time to strike. The 6 starts at $24,475 and tops out at about $35K; the CX-3 comes in at $20,790 before destination and handling. Maybe, if you wait just a little bit, you might be able to get them even cheaper.

Mazda 6, fare thee well. CX-3, don't let the door hit you on your way out.