2015 Mazda CX-3 Review: Sales Storm Bound For Australia
What’s Hot: Handles well, looks great, classy interior.
What’s Not: Small boot and compact rear seat dimensions.
X-FACTOR: If our first taste is anything to go by, the CX-3 should sell up a storm next year.
Vehicle Style: Compact SUV
Price: $TBA (expect between $20-25k starting point)
Engine/trans: 109kW/192Nm petrol 4cyl, 77kW/270Nm diesel 4cyl | 6sp manual or automatic
Fuel Economy claimed: TBA
OVERVIEW
Mazda has high hopes for its first-ever CX-3 crossover. It's set to enter the booming compact SUV segment in the second quarter of next year as a pint-sized baby brother to the popular CX-5.
Pricing and specifications have yet to be finalised, but indications from Mazda are that it will be competitive with existing segment players like the Holden Trax, Mitsubishi ASX and Ford Ecosport - and may even squeeze in under the Mazda3 with a sub-$20k entry-level model.
Three model grades will be offered, with two engines - a petrol and diesel - two transmissions and the availability of both FWD and AWD.
But what else can we expect next year?
To give us an insight into what makes the CX-3 tick, Mazda flew out two pre-production models to Australia for us to sample, with Australian journos the first media in the world to drive the CX-3.
And that’s as good a sign as any that Australia is bound to be an important market for the CX-3, considering it broke cover just three weeks ago at the LA Auto Show.
And first impressions are good, though there are some reservations about packaging.
A proper road drive is still months away, but we do know this: as far as its competitors in the compact SUV segment are concerned, the CX-3 looks set to blow them out of the water.
MORE: Mazda CX-3 News | CX-5 | Mazda2
MORE: Compact SUVs
THE INTERIOR
- Specifications still to be determined.
- Boot space: 264 litres with rear seats up. two-position false floor.
The dashboard appears identical to the Mazda2 on which the CX-3 is based, and that’s a good thing in our opinion.
It looks upmarket, material quality is generally good and all controls fall neatly to hand.
The leather-wrapped steering wheel is a delight to hold and the driving position is a natural one.
Though the hip-point is higher than in a Mazda2 and gives a slightly better view of the road ahead, you don’t feel like you’re sitting bolt upright like in some other small SUVs.
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