What is the difference between the Axela and the Mazda 3?
3 Answers
The Axela is the third generation of the Mazda 3, with three generations of products in China. The first generation was called the Mazda 3, the second generation was called the Mazda Xingchi, and the third generation is called the Mazda 3 Axela. Additional Information: 1. Exterior Design: The Mazda 3 adopts the second-generation KODO design language, featuring a more avant-garde and aggressive overall appearance. At the front, the grille has become larger and flatter, with chrome accents added between the grille and the headlight clusters. The lower front bumper features a continuous air intake, giving it a wide and refined visual appeal. The side profile is very sleek, with less pronounced character lines compared to the current Mazda 3 Axela, resulting in a more rounded overall look. Paired with multi-spoke alloy wheels, it exudes a strong sense of sportiness. 2. Interior: The all-new Mazda 3's dashboard is highly sporty, featuring mechanical gauge clusters to cater to enthusiasts. The three-spoke steering wheel has been redesigned, while the floating central display design from the current Mazda 3 Axela is retained. However, compared to the current model, the new car is equipped with an 8.8-inch infotainment system, positioned further back and more driver-oriented. 3. Powertrain: The new Mazda 3 continues to use the current Mazda 3 Axela's 1.5L and 2.0L naturally aspirated engines, with maximum power outputs of 86kW (117PS) and 116kW (158PS), respectively. The chassis features a front MacPherson strut independent suspension and a torsion beam rear suspension.
Actually, many friends have asked me this question because I drive an Axela myself, and I've been driving it for over three years. Simply put, the Axela is the Mazda3—it's the same car, just with a localized name for the Chinese market. In other regions like the U.S. and Europe, it's universally called the Mazda3. Why is this the case? It mainly comes down to branding strategy, as Chinese consumers find the name Axela easier to remember. There's no difference in usage—the engine, design, and interior are identical. My car handles nimbly and delivers excellent fuel efficiency. Personally, I think this name confusion is quite common, especially when searching online, where different names yield the same results. If you're torn about which one to buy, just go for it—the core experience is similar, including pricing and maintenance costs, which are on par.
I'm a car enthusiast and particularly fond of the Mazda series. The difference between the Axela and the Mazda3 is quite simple: they are just different names for the same model. The Mazda3 is the original global name, while Axela is a nickname exclusive to the Chinese market, designed to adapt to local culture. Historically, the first-generation Mazda3 was launched in 2004 and has since evolved into the current fourth generation, rebranded as Axela in China in 2019, maintaining the KODO design philosophy. Functionally, they are identical, featuring the same Skyactiv engine and comfortable seating. When comparing models, I noticed that the global version has slight adjustments in safety configurations, but the Chinese version is more tailored to local driving habits, such as a slightly softer suspension tuning. This naming strategy is quite common—like how the Toyota Corolla has different aliases in various regions—but don’t worry, you don’t need to stress over the name changes when choosing a car.
