Upgraded CX3 even sweeter
THE CX3 has been a star performer for Mazda since its launch in late 2015, and in the normal run of motoring play, a midlife upgrade would be at least a year away. However, with new rivals arriving thick and fast, Hiroshima’s compact SUV has been given an early update.
A couple of new colour options aside, there’s little to visually distinguish the old CX3 from the new machine.
But in other respects the revamp is substantial: dieselpower is ditched for an allpetrol lineup; a new frontdrive variant, the GSX Leather, appears between the GSX and Limited; inside, there’s a new multifunction steering wheel and changes to instrumentation and displays screens; handling is enhanced by the inclusion of Mazda’s advanced GVectoring control system; changes to the engine mounts and increasing insulation improve refinement; the two top variants — the GSX Leather and Limited — also pack an array of new active safety features.
Mazda showcased these changes by supplying a flagship $40,195 Limited for appraisal. Like all but one variant within the revised lineup, the CX3 Limited is a frontdrive rather than fourwheeldrive machine.
Sitting on 18inch alloys and 215/50 tyres and fitted with LED lights, the test car was none the worse for looking very similar to a preupdate CX3.
Inside, leather (actually leather and suede) helps give the nicely finished cabin a smart, classy feel. As well as adorning the seats, it is used in a mix of black and burgundy across the dash, on the steering wheel rim, and on parts of the centre console and doors.
Highlights on an extensive creature comfort and convenience features list include poweroperated and heated front seats, keyless entry and start, autodipping lights, and a headup display. A compact centremounted touchscreen is home base for satellite navigation, Bluetooth phone connectivity, a reversing camera, and a premium 7speaker Bose sound system that is Pandora and Stitcher internet radio compatible.
A wide range of active safety features are deployed. These include active smart braking systems, traffic sign recognition, radar cruise control, blind spot and rear cross traffic alert systems, lane departure warning, and a driver attention alert system.
Like many of its compact SUV class rivals, the CX3’s high waistline affects rear threequarter visibility. The driving position is excellent in all other respects, with a commanding view, comfortable and supportive seats, and clear instrumentation and controls.
Room in the rear of the cabin is adequate but a little kneesup for adults. The modestly proportioned 264litre boot includes a handy underfloor compartment, and capacity increases to a decent 1174 litres when the rear seats are folded down.
With a 109kW/192Nm 2.0litre engine under
the bonnet, the CX3 is a mechanical giant by class standards. Helped by having a conventional automatic transmission rather than a CVT unit, this ensures smooth and lively performance, especially with the transmission in sport mode. Economy is also reasonable at 6.1 litres/100km for the standard economy cycle.
Changes to the engine mounts and additional sounddeadening material behind the dashboard and throughout the floor fully
address the noise issues that were a bugbear on the preupdate CX3.
Even before this update, the CX3 was one of the sweeterhandling compact SUVs about. Helped no doubt by the clever and quite unobtrusive GVectoring control system, the latest iteration of the CX3 is better yet. Light but accurate steering, crisp turn in, and a wellbalanced demeanour through twists and turns are central to a pleasant and at times most rewarding onroad driving experience.