Small car - sedan and hatch · 2004-2025
Mazda 3 Window Shades (2004-2025)
The Mazda 3 has been one of the top-selling small cars in Australia for two decades, which is why so many of them are on the school run with a child seat behind the driver. That seat sits against the rear door glass, and on a summer afternoon it is the hottest place in the car.
The thing that catches people out with a Mazda 3 is the body split. The hatch and the sedan are built on the same platform in the same week, but the rear door glass and the quarter window behind it are different shapes, so they take different shades. Ordering on model year alone gets you the wrong set. Work out which body you have first, then match the year range.
Every set is cut to that specific body and generation and holds on magnetically to the painted door frame, so nothing sticks to the glass and the windows still wind down.
Why Mazda 3 owners choose custom shades
The rear door glass, where the child seat is
On a 3 the rear doors are where the afternoon sun lands on a car seat. A rear pair is the piece most owners buy first and the one that makes the biggest difference on a hot day.
Glare off a low windscreen
The 3 sits low with a raked screen, so morning and afternoon sun comes in at eye level. Shading the rear glass takes the reflected glare out of the mirror and the cabin.
Keeps a dark interior from cooking
Mazda's black cloth and leather interiors soak up heat while the car sits at the station car park all day. Mesh cuts the load before it reaches the trim.
Nothing permanent, nothing on the glass
No film, no adhesive, no suction cups to let go in 40-degree heat. Panels lift out in seconds, which matters on a leased or novated car.
Features
Cut per body, not per model name
Sedan and hatch are patterned separately because their rear door and quarter glass differ. Pick your body style and the panels follow the window line instead of approximating it.
Magnetic mounting
Sewn-in magnets grip the painted steel door frame. The window still winds down with the shade fitted, and the mesh keeps working with the window open.
See-through black mesh
Passengers in the back can still look out, which helps with car sickness on longer drives. From outside the cabin is much harder to see into.
Front pieces cut short of the mirror
Front-door shades stop well before the mirror line so your sightline stays clear and you can still reach a toll tag or parking ticket.
Fitment for your Mazda 3
Mazda 3 shades are cut for the 2004-2008 car, the 2009-2014 facelift (listed as 3S, sedan and hatchback separately), the 2014-2019 generation, and the current 2020-2025 car in sedan and hatchback. If the badge on your car reads Axela, it is the same vehicle under its Japanese-market name and the same sets apply. Check the build plate rather than the compliance year if your car sits on a changeover.
Covers: Front door windows, Rear door windows, Boot or tailgate window.
Installation
- Match each panel to the window it was cut for - the rear pair and the front pair are different shapes.
- Bring the magnetic border up to the painted door frame and let it pull on.
- Run a finger around the edge so the border sits flush with no light gaps at the corners.
- Lift from a corner to remove, and store the set flat in the boot or a door pocket.
Mazda 3 sun shade FAQs
- How do I tell whether I need the sedan or the hatch set?
- Look at the back of the car. If there is a separate boot lid with the rear window fixed above it, you have the sedan. If the rear glass lifts as part of the tailgate, you have the hatch. The rear door and quarter glass differ between the two, so the sets are not interchangeable.
- My car is badged Axela - is that covered?
- Yes. Axela is the Japanese-market name for the same car, and every Mazda 3 listing carries it as an alias. Match the body style and year range as normal.
- Which set covers a 2020 or 2021 Mazda 3?
- The 2020-2025 sets, in sedan or hatchback. That generation kept the same glass shapes across those years, so a 2020 and a 2025 take the same panels.
- Can I leave them on while driving?
- The rear-door shades are made to stay on at normal road speed. Front-door shades are cut short of the mirror, but the road rules on obstructing a driver's view are set by each state - check your state's rules and take the fronts off if you are unsure.
- Is there a boot window shade for the sedan?
- Yes. The 2020-2025 sedan has a boot window piece, sold on its own or bundled with the rear doors. It is worth having if the car parks outside or you carry a dog or gear in the back.
Related models
Looking for something else? Browse all vehicle sun shades or see our full model guide.
Keep your Mazda 3 cool and protected
Custom-fit magnetic sun shades, made to your 3's exact windows and delivered Australia-wide.