LEAKED: Mazda3 facelift

Here is our first look at the upgraded 2017 Mazda3, if this image published by carscoops.com overnight is authentic.

Supplied to carscoops.com by a reader, the image is claimed to be from a brochure in Japan, where the Mazda3 is known as the Axela.

Little is known about the first facelift for the third-generation Mazda3, which was released in Australia in January 2014, or when it will be officially revealed.

However, unless it appears sooner, it could make its world debut at either the Paris motor show in September, or the Los Angeles motor show in November – when the all-new CX-5 is due to debut – meaning it's odds-on to go on sale here this year.

If this image is legitimate, the 2017 Mazda3 will bring mildly revised frontal styling including a new front bumper, grille and headlight treatment, as per the facelifted Mazda6 released in February 2015 -- little more than two years after its launch.

Although the rear-end of the Japanese domestic market Axela 2.2-litre diesel sedan pictured here is now shown, the new-look Mazda3 seen here also features exterior mirrors with integrated indicators.

Providing more clues to the upgrades we might expect to see in the 2017 Mazda3 is the minor upgrade for the Mazda6 launched in February this year when it brought value and safety updates.

Along with an average price cut of $1200, just two months ago the Mazda6 was fitted as standard across the range with bind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic monitoring and Smart City Brake Support – Forward (SCBS-F), while Touring and GT variants also scored Smart City Brake Support – Reverse (SCBS-R) as standard.

A year earlier, the Mazda6 was improved with interior and exterior design updates, plus upgrades to ride comfort, cabin quietness and equipment, including Mazda-first Adaptive LED Headlights (ALH).

Providing potential clues to what the revised Mazda3 might bring, last year's Mazda6 upgrade also brought an electric parking brake, rear seat heating (both firsts for Mazda), powered rear sunshade (sedan only) and new interior leather colour combinations.

At the same time, Mazda's largest passenger car brought a number of running changes including revised front and rear dampers, optimised front lower-arm bushings, extra sound insulation claimed to reduce cabin noise by 25 per cent on the highway, and “evolved” front and rear seat structures said to provide more comfort and support.

Australia's top-selling model bar none in 2011 and 2012 before it was outsold by the Toyota Corolla for the past three years, the Mazda3 trails the Corolla by just 50 sales to April this year, with Hyundai's i30 less than 80 registrations behind.