The 2021 Mazda3 is a popular vehicle among young car enthusiasts, but did you know you can upgrade your Mazda3? The hatchback iteration of the popular compact, in particular, has been quite prone to all manner of upgrades and alterations, from body kits to accessories. If you bought a Mazda3 and were curious about some of the upgrades you can apply to the vehicle, or if you have yet to head to a Mazda3 dealer in Houston to get your hands on the compact car, there are some things you need to know about upgrades.
There are some significant differences between what you can expect from the hatchback and the sedan when it comes to what you can change and how. Both versions of the vehicle also have some leeway when it comes to performance and interior alterations. The best part about it is that there is a healthy amount of official upgrades directly available from Mazda.
Functional Upgrades
Not every upgrade is an overhaul of how the Mazda3 performs or how it looks. For instance, there are some functional upgrades specifically designed to help the Mazda3 in basic everyday tasks. For instance, front and rear splash guards are useful for protecting the vehicle’s lower frame from getting sullied by rocks, debris, or other objects. Thule harnesses for roof attachments are also available, perfect for storing gear on top of the Mazda3 for travel or vacationing.
Wind deflectors and bumper guards are also a good way to keep your Mazda3 stylish and protected, while reflectors and roof racks are perfect for those who need their Mazda3 to perform more utilitarian tasks. Inside, you’ll find that you can upgrade the Mazda3 with Qi-enabled wireless charging or the Mazda Connect navigation system, which features SiriusXM Travel Link technology. All of these are official parts and systems that you can purchase or have installed directly from Mazda.
Visual Upgrades
Sometimes what you need is a little something-something to spruce up the look of your car. For the Mazda3, you have a mixture of visual upgrades to give your sedan or hatchback a great look, as well as some upgrades to help improve both the look and the way the vehicle drives. A perfect example is the optional air dam upgrade from Mazda, which improves the aerodynamics of the Mazda3, and works as a great affordable accessory for those who want it.
Another visual upgrade that also improves aerodynamics is the rear diffuser, which makes the Mazda3 look a lot sportier than it already does. A rear hatch spoiler for the hatchback edition can also improve the look and aerodynamics. You can even have a custom hood installed with scoops or vents to give your Mazda3 that extra high-performance look. If you have the sedan version, you can go with rear lip spoiler options for the trunk, including those that match the body color. There are factory as well as aftermarket spoilers available for the sedan.
There are also some less flashy exterior modifications you can make, such as changing the license plate frames, adding chrome, or blacking out the trim. Some people enjoy swapping out the headlights or taillights for a custom lighting solution. Interior lighting is also possible if you really want to change the way the cabin looks when you start the engine, but it may require a little extra work if you’re up for it.
Performance Upgrades
Some people love their Mazda3 but want more performance out of the vehicle. Most official parts from Mazda don’t drastically change the performance of the sedan or hatchback, but some aftermarket parts are available that can affect the performance of the vehicle. For low-maintenance upgrades, you can try adding an air intake to improve airflow or improve the exhaust with performance exhaust systems.
More advanced upgrades may include ECU tuning, which can help increase the power output of your vehicle. However, aftermarket tunes will void your powertrain warranty, so it’s not advisable to go that route. If you want more power, it is best to look at upgrading to a Mazda3 with a more capable engine from the factory, such as the new Mazda3 2.5 Turbo. With its 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque, this turbocharged car will give you far greater performance than any aftermarket modifications and has a factory warranty.
Installing Upgrades
Installing your new upgrades can be as simple as snapping or connecting some pieces to the vehicle or as difficult as disassembling components and screwing, gluing, or bolting the new pieces into place. It all depends on what you plan to upgrade and in what way. New roof rails, lug nuts, or license plate frames can be pretty easy to install on your own. They usually require basic tools to unscrew or loosen up certain components so you can add the new upgrades.
Some of the more advanced upgrades, such as those to increase aerodynamics, would probably best be handled by professional mechanics. In that case, you can head to a Mazda3 dealer in Houston to have the new components installed. In fact, at Parkway Family Mazda, we can help you install official OEM parts and accessories from Mazda. What’s more, is that you can even order the parts directly from our website. If you know your way around your Mazda3, you can easily install most parts yourself. But if you’re uncomfortable with messing with the exterior or interior of the vehicle, you can have the certified technicians at our dealership install the parts for you.
What You Need To Know About Aftermarket Parts
One thing to keep in mind when it comes to modifying your Mazda3 is that not all parts and modifications are covered by your Mazda warranty. If you bought the vehicle used and it’s not Certified Pre-Owned, then there is no factory warranty to worry about, and you can do as you please with your Mazda3. But buying new or Certified Pre-Owned means that there are warranties in place, and you need to be mindful of what upgrades and alterations can void the warranty.
If you buy aftermarket parts that aren’t Mazda certified, then you run the risk of voiding the warranty. Some people don’t mind because they buy their Mazda3 specifically to modify it the way they see fit – new livery, new interior, LED lighting, the works. However, if you do plan to dive into the tuner culture of Mazda vehicles, just keep in mind that buying aftermarket parts will likely result in the warranty being voided, especially for powertrain modifications. That is why most drivers prefer to stick to genuine Mazda accessories that are guaranteed to work for the vehicle.
Should You Upgrade Your 2021 Mazda3?
Now that you know that you can upgrade your 2021 Mazda3, the next big question is, should you upgrade your 2021 Mazda3? This all boils down to what you plan to use the vehicle for or how you want it to look. Lots of people personalize their car with paint jobs or decals to give it that custom appearance, which adds to the unique styling of both the sedan and the hatchback. Still others might prefer to increase performance any way they can, whether it be with horsepower or aerodynamics.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the 2021 Mazda3 is already an impressive machine. The higher-end torque for the newest model year means better off-the-line performance than many of its nearest rivals, and the sleek design already tunes it into being a lot more aerodynamic than some people might think. However, for power junkies out there who just need more, you need to carefully weigh your options for upgrading the Mazda3 because it’s already perfectly suited for great acceleration and handling. Suffice it to say, if you’re not heavy into the tuner culture, you can opt for the minor upgrades that you can have installed by your local Mazda3 dealer in Houston and still achieve some amazing gains on the street with the compact car.
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