Mazda CX-3 Review: Maxx, sTouring and Akari – A Wildfire Cometh
Mazda's CX-3 is all we suspected it might be. Sharply priced, well-featured and appealingly styled, it offers super on-road comfort with nicely balanced handling, and the engines - whichever you choose - are willing performers both around town and n the highway.
The downsides are few; maybe the faux leather is a bit naff, the adjustment for the seats is a bit clunky (and roughly finished down there), there is a still a little more road noise than some will like and it's a bit tight for kneeroom in the back.
But, truly, the CX-3 is 'one out of the box'. This terrific little car will drag in buyers who may have never considered an SUV, much less a small one.
Engines:
109kW/192Nm 2.0 litre SkyActiv S-VT petrol (with i-stop)
77kW/270Nm 1.5 litre 16-valve intercooled turbo-diesel (with i-stop)
With 2WD or AWD drivetrains
Transmissions: 6spd auto, or 6spd manual (front-drive models only)
Fuel consumption:
petrol - claimed: 6.1 l/100km | tested: 7.2 l/100km
diesel - claimed: 4.8 l/100km | tested: 5.9 l/100km
OVERVIEW
Mazda's new CX-3 will be a phenomenon.
Priced right, packaged right, and absolutely beautifully styled, it is such a convincing car on so many levels.
Mazda calls it “the first ever CX-3” and it will simply bust the small SUV segment apart.
And, because it is so convincing and drives so well, it makes a lot of its quirky tippy-toe competition suddenly look like toy cars.
There is a presence to its style and on-road stance - the way it sits on those big guards-filling alloy wheels, and the strength of its Roman nose and chrome-featured front - that projects quality and solidity.
And it gets noticed. We were flagged down by a driver in a late model Golf wanting to know when it was going on sale.
We drove all variants at launch bar the Neo (production of the entry model to the range does not begin until April), and also had opportunity to put an sTouring through its paces over gravel and secondary roads.
THE INTERIOR | RATING: 4/5
Key features (depending on model):
- cloth, leather and suede/leather interior trims
- cruise control
- satellite navigation
- Mazda's MZD 7-inch screen & infotainment system with USB, Bluetooth and iPhone connectivity
- reversing camera
- keyless push-button start
- auto wipers
- climate control
- powered sliding and tilting glass sunroof
CLICK HERE to view full specifications for the new CX-3 range
Mazda does not do poor interiors. Here, in the new CX-3, is a very appealing interior with a feeling of quality unique at this price point.
The smart soft-touch dash looks and feels good, the stitched instrument binnacle and stitched facing likewise. So too the piano-black highlights on up-spec models and the 'cool' metal rotary controls.
From the wheel, which is small and sporty with a stitched rim and multi-function controls, the style and robust feel to this interior conveys a sense that the appearance of quality is more than just skin deep.
Only the slightly naff faux-leather steering wheel trim, and the clunky plastic seat adjusters (across the range, no electric adjustment) are debits here.
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