ADVENTURE TIME
See how the Mazda CX-3 stacks up on a trek through the B.C. mountains,
KAMLOOPS, B.C.— There are a lot of hot hatches on the market that cause aspiring rally drivers to sit up and wipe the drool from their chins.
The new 2016 Mazda CX-3 is not typically one of them.
Although the car has the dimensions of a good, small, rally-worthy ride, it is not endowed with an overly powerful engine or sport-tuned suspension.
So when we heard we’d be driving the AWD GS version of the CX-3 through the mountains of British Columbia for the 2015 Mazda Adventure Rally, we figured on a benign, paved route with perhaps a couple mountain passes thrown in for a little test of the car’s torque.
It was a surprise, then, to find ourselves asking the CX-3 to power up and down some pretty gnarly, rough and remarkably steep (23-per-cent grade, anyone?) logging roads.
And this was well packed with two adults and all the gear and cameras one would need for a multi-day road trip.
It performed well. For a car with a two-litre, four-cylinder engine that makes 146 horsepower and 146 lbs.ft. of torque, there were very few moments when a firm application of right foot to accelerator came up short of what was needed.
On trend, Mazda has opted not to offer a manual transmission in this car. But, driven in Sport mode, the six-speed automatic tends to rev high and respond quickly with a downshift on hard braking or a jab at the gas. At times, however, the car seems to wait a moment too long to shift up again, leaving the driver reaching for the shift lever to knock the revs down manually.
But in the mountains, with a bit of time pressure on to ensure rally success, having the engine slightly overwrought was a benefit. Driven in normal mode, it behaves as a small city car should with mild, predictable performance.
Those mountain roads also allowed the CX-3’s all-wheel-drive (AWD) handling to shine. With a frontwheel drive bias, the AWD was not really noticeable until the car approached its traction limit. But the difference between the FWD and AWD models is apparent, with better rough-road cornering in the AWD car, although with a bit of (likely planned) understeer.
The suspension is firm and sucked up the bumps and ruts in the logging roads without excessive bouncing.
After driving nearly 1,000 kilometres — split fairly evenly between the passenger and driver’s seats — it’s fair to say the CX-3 is comfortable. The manually adjusted seats are forgiving and supportive and, despite long days in the saddle, they left us limber and able to spring out of the car to complete our rally tasks.
The back seats do lack legroom and are really only suitable for kids; on a longer trip, all but very short adults would be cramped.
The cabin layout is logical and practical. Controls are easy to find and use. Extra-large side mirrors counteract a blind spot created by the C-pillar.
The infotainment and navigation system have a combined touchscreen and mouse interface, with the annoying inability to input an address while the car is in motion. This isn’t exclusive to Mazda, but I wish carmakers would key the presence of a passenger the way the airbags are activated when weight is detected.
The CX-3 has inherited the new Mazda grille treatment and it is reminiscent of a BMW X1 in many ways, from the long hood to the squaredoff rear end. The interior is simple, with a few upscale details such as contrasting stitching on the seats and a leather-wrapped wheel.
The CX-3 is available in four trim levels, starting at $20,695 and topping out at $30,495. This isn’t a cheap little hatch, but it does feel like good value. And with Mazda’s unlimitedkilometre warranty, the cost of ownership may be lower than comparable vehicles.
Given its driveability, comfort and reasonable utility, the CX-3 deserves a place in the list of Mazda’s wellloved models. It closely resembles the early 2000s Protegé 5 in its capacity, driving manners and relative price point.
It may not be a rallyist’s dream car, but it deserves to gain a fan following. Freelance writer Emily Atkins is a regular contributor to Toronto Star Wheels. Travel for this story was provided by the manufacturer. To reach her, email wheels@thestar.ca and put her name in the subject line.