Mazda CX-3 Review

ChendyR

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£17,410 – £24,510

What We Say :

"Mazda's small crossover is well-specced, good-looking and sweet-driving"

What is it ?

Mazda's fashionable but late crack at a 'compact crossover' the jacked up, bluff faced supermini idea thats been a runaway succes for the Nissan Juke, Renault Captur and Vauxhall Mokka. So, its far from an original idea then, but theres plenty of reasons not consequently to write the CX-3 off.

First off, the crucial donor car is a good un the CX-3 borrows the platform, engines and drivetrains from the terrific new mazda 2 supermini. Its also a handsome little tyke much smarter suited than the polarizing juke of fords dog awful ecosport rival. And in this sector, look count for everyting. Big win from the off, Mazda and the rest of it stands up to scurity too . . .

Driving :

The CX-3 drives like a heavier Mazda 2. It’s not quite as agile, but the steering’s pleasing weightiness, the gearshift’s brilliantly slick action and the obedient turn-in have all survived the supermini-to-crossover growth spurt intact. It’s easily as entertaining as a Juke, but the Mazda’s superior seats and multi-adjustable steering column means more drivers will be more comfortable - more ‘in’ rather than ‘on’ the chassis.
The pay-off for genuinely gratifying dynamics is the firm ride. It’s well controlled and far from uncomfortable, but even on the smaller 16-inch alloys, the CX-3 will be too stiff for some. The non-turbo petrol engines are torque-lite too, so be prepared to rummage around that gearbox (or spec the duller but brawnier 103bhp) for traffic-dodging urgency.

On the inside :

Mazda’s weight-saving ‘SKYACTIV’ engineering template has worked wonders with streamlining its car build processes and guilt-edging their dynamics, but it’s exposed where Mazda does need to invest - interior perceived quality. The general ergonomics are spot on, the touchscreen infotainment a bit Fisher Price but usable, and there’s no doubt the initial sketches would’ve looked great. But to keep it under twenty grand, the finished car has too many varied plastics where the designers obviously desired carbonfibre and aluminium, resulting in a car that feels a little cheap ‘n’ nasty inside.
There’s adequate space for a big supermini (a Yeti rival this is not, after all) and the boot’s 100 litres up on the Mazda 2. Watch the rear visibility though - styling has won out over rear window real estate. Given how many are likely to be used in city centres, the parking sensors standard on SE-L and above may prove invaluable…

Owning :

Prices start sub-£18k - which still seems like a lot against European competition. Mazda contends it’s worth it. It insists that instead of offering Spartan basic models that owners then spec up, kit levels are more generous than competitors across the CX-3 range. Even the entry-level cars get treats like cruise control, touchscreen infotainment and DAB.