The Mazda 3 has always been the premium offering in the subcompact segment, offering a sleek design and many luxuries for a reasonable price, along with the famed driving dynamics that the Hiroshima-based automaker is known for.

But in its home country, the car has been treated to minor but meaningful updates to keep it competitive for 2023. While the only exterior change the car receives is the addition of the Ceramic Metallic color, the interior receives heavier tech updates.

Now, a 10.25-inch display takes the place of the previous 8.8-inch display, and it has been updated with a new version of the Mazda Connect interface (as seen in the brand’s newer offerings). This also adds the ability to use wireless Apple CarPlay, along with the addition of wireless charging and illuminated USB-C ports.

The i-Activsense safety suite has improved the collision detection system, and there is the addition of a Distracted Alarm Function for the driver monitoring system to alert the driver with both visual and audio cues.

Provided you live in Japan, several connected features are also available, also originally seen in the CX-60. From your phone, you are able to do things like remotely start the engine, monitor the vehicle’s location, dispatch security to monitor the vehicle in case of theft, and geofence the vehicle.

The updated model is scheduled to go on sale in early June in Japan, so hopefully, Mazda Philippines decides to bring in the update shortly after.