After a long time, the Mazda CX-3 underwent a slight modernization, which was presented to the general public at the New York Auto Show. Currently, and to my delight, it also passed our editorial test. As you probably already know, we always like to test Mazda cars, and we are simply looking forward to a week spent with these cars.
The Mazda CX-3 is a worthy sibling of the larger CX-5 model and thus represents the segment of compact SUVs in the portfolio of this automaker.
Mazda sent its journalistic CX-3 to the streets with a proven two-liter gasoline engine with an output of 89 kW, which cooperated with a six-speed automatic transmission. The CX-3 also had the rich Revolution equipment, which, together with the classic "grease red" Soul Red Crystal color and eighteen-inch wheels, made this piece a real spectacle on wheels.
Modernization and exterior appearance
The modernization of this model was indeed carried out in an economical style, as far as the external appearance is concerned, here we find only a slightly modified front mask, the front and rear headlights now have LED technology from the higher equipment. The question is to what extent was it necessary to modernize? Since its inception, the Mazda CX-3 has been based on a language called KODO, which works very well not only in terms of exterior design.
Its compact and integral shape is quite decently detailed in individual details. The front part has a traditional large, chrome-lined mask. Its chrome plating then transitions very tastefully into the front headlights. A very interesting detail is the opening of the hood, which partly connects to the A-pillars, but also gives off an edge that extends to the entire side part of the car and gradually descends in an original way to the part around the rear wheel. A distinctive and pleasing element of this compact SUV is the plastic covering of the bumpers, thresholds and wheel rims, which look very robust. I would like to praise the rear part for the shape of the rear lights, there is simply nothing to complain about them, and also for the location of the pair of chrome exhaust tips, their location and size is beautifully balanced in the context of the rear part. The overall "adult" impression of the tested car is underlined by the eighteen-inch wheels with low-profile shoes.
Spacious interior
Modernization affected the interior of the CX-3 mainly in dealing with the central part of the dashboard and the central tunnel. A novelty in this model is the use of an electric handbrake, the controller of which has newly appeared in the space next to the controls for the HMI interface, which we know from other previously tested models of the brand. The Mazda CX-3 shares the chassis base with the Mazda 2, and the same is true of the interior itself. Within the dashboard, you will be surprised to find the air conditioning vents in the middle part of the dashboard. A certain symmetry usually holds here. However, this is not the case with the CX-3 (including the Mazda 2 ). This, I would say a less common solution, can be slightly surprising, but it is still a very pleasant revival. I would like to praise the steering wheel, its subtler rim holds very well, its multi-functionality, i.e. control is logical and clear. The instrument panel in front of the driver is also pleasant, where Mazda does not deny its sporty character and the central motif is the tachometer, supplemented by a digital speedometer. The central tunnel then has the already mentioned HMI interface controllers, the classic automatic transmission controller and, in the tested car, the controller for sports driving mode. The dashboard of the tested car was also equipped with a flip-up head-up display, on which information related to, for example, the current speed of the car or information from navigation is projected.
The CX-3 offers plenty of space in the front seats. The position behind the wheel is pleasant, rather higher. Unfortunately, the spaciousness is noticeably worse in the rear seats, where there is not much legroom left. A smaller wheelbase also results in shorter doors, so getting in and out of a winter jacket is not entirely comfortable at the moment. The luggage compartment has a pleasant 350 litres, as well as a double bottom and a pleasantly higher loading edge.
Motorization choice
The choice of motorization is quite diverse for this model. Here you have a choice of four petrol and three diesel variations. Skyactiv-G gasoline engines are represented by an atmospheric two-liter engine with outputs of 89 kW (121 hp) and 110 kW (150 hp), which can be coupled with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic. The stronger of the two drive units is also offered with both axle drives.
The modernized diesel engine in the offer is presented by the 1.8 Skyactiv-D, which has an output of 85 kW (115 hp), which is again offered with a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic. In addition, with the option of driving both axles.
The possible choice of AWD drive is laughably unique in the given segment, and Mazda deserves praise here.
A version with a weaker gasoline engine (89 kW), automatic transmission and front-axle drive only passed our editorial test.
How does it drive?
The sporty character of this brand's models was also preserved in the tested CX-3. Despite the presence of the weaker of the two petrol engines, the output of 89 kW is pleasantly sufficient for this car. You will be surprised by the comparatively harder tuning of the chassis, which only confirms the sporty character, but sometimes, in connection with the eighteen-inch wheels with low-profile shoes, it can knock your butt quite a bit. The steering, which is precise and has a pleasant response, certainly deserves a lot of praise. All this with a well-shaped steering wheel creates a very pleasant driving experience.
Mazda has been a big opponent of downsizing and supercharging its engines for some time. So the question is, how does this engine behave at low revs and does it have enough pull? However, we can confirm, and not only for this model, that the current engines of this brand, even with this chosen direction, simply work. Its drive units are characterized by a smooth pull and maximum torque in a relatively low speed range. The same was the case with the tested engine, where its smoothness was also aided by the automatic transmission. The tested car had the already mentioned SPORT button, which changes the response of the transmission, which can also be controlled both with paddles under the steering wheel and sequentially on the transmission selector itself. How is consumption? With the CX-3, I moved slightly above the value of 7.3 l / 100 km during the editorial week.
Conclusion
Mazda is a car company that offers its customers a certain originality, in the form of a specific and pleasing exterior design, in the quality of its interiors, in good driving characteristics, or in the "classic" volumes of its engines, which do not catch up with supercharging. Mazda is simply its own thing, and that's what I like about it.
Of course, this also applies to the tested CX-3, which can be purchased in the basic Emotion trim with a weaker gasoline engine and a manual starting from CZK 412,400 including VAT. The car tested by us, which was additionally equipped with premium paint and a GPS navigation system, will cost you CZK 605,200 including VAT.
