GO
GoAutoLogo
MENU

Make / Model Search

Mazda 323

BA (Mk5) 323

1 Jul 1994

Mazda’s profit-obliterating proliferation of models reached its zenith with the Mk5 323 range, which included three sedan variations (carryover Mk4 BF 323 base, Protégé 4-door sedan and Astina 4-door Hardtop), a pretty new 5-door Astina hatchback, and four engines – 64kW 1.6L (323 base), 80kW 1.6L EFI (base Protégé), 92kW 1.8L (Protégé, Astina hatch and, from late ’96, Astina Hardtop) and an all-new 104kW 2.0L V6 powerplant reserved for the top line Astina V6 hatchback and Hardtop.

And while refinement, features and handling improved, Astina buyers had less headroom to enjoy – a corollary of the model’s sporty aspirations.

Sales were not strong, so the old Shades special edition was rolled out in April ’96, available across the range.

Meanwhile, the ageing entry-level BF 323 sedan had finally vanished by then.

From November '96 Mazda introduced a facelifted range with slight trim changes and the added safety of a driver’s airbag.

The Shades edition reappeared in October ’97, while the 80kW Protégé 1.6L was now the base 323 model.

Read more

Mazda models

Catch up on all of the latest industry news with this week's edition of GoAutoNews
Click here