Mazda CX-3, presentation and road test in Barcelona

Once again, Barcelona was the destination on the plane ticket to get to know a new Mazda launch. It’s no coincidence: Barcelona was the city chosen at European level to establish the Mazda Space and to host the presentations of its future models.

In this case, I was personally very interested in getting to know the new Mazda CX-3. It is the brand’s smallest SUV and it arrives ready to compete in a segment crowded with rivals but still highly popular with many buyers. The CX-3 has as its strong points the design, the comprehensive equipment and the new engines, especially the 1.5 Skyactiv-D diesel with 105 CV that debuted on the Mazda 2.

It premiered at the Los Angeles Auto Show at the start of the year and we later saw it at the Geneva Motor Show in March. Skyactiv technology is present not only in the engines but also in the gearboxes, the chassis and the rest of the CX-3.

Kodo exterior design and an interior that reminds us of the Mazda 2

The Kodo design, introduced a few years ago on the Japanese brand’s models, continues to define the basic lines of its new creations. This kind of design captures movement, as if it were an animal.

At the front, the grille stands out, a true signature of the brand. Depending on the version, Full-LED headlights will also be available. The shape of the indicators and fog lights emphasises the sporty design of the front end.

From the side, the fluid lines, the large wheel arches (as is typical for an SUV) and a rising side line stand out, most noticeably at the rear windows. As standard it comes with 16-inch wheels, although the Luxury trim fits 18-inch ones.

Meanwhile, at the rear, the influence of the Mazda 2 is more evident, although the lower section with its typical mouldings gives it the appearance of an SUV.

Inside, the design is identical to the Mazda 2. This is a good thing, since the level of quality and finish of the Mazda 2 is unusual in this segment. Again we see two distinct areas in the dashboard design: a driver’s area with all kinds of information and controls, and a passenger’s area that is clean in terms of buttons and more understated in design.

From the controls on the centre console and thanks to the screen in the middle of the dashboard, we can control the entertainment system, the phone or the navigation (depending on the trim). There are several upholstery options, from cloth to leather, and the same goes for the lower part of the dashboard, which comes in several finishes, including leather.

The driving position is spacious and slightly elevated, with good forward visibility but not as good to the rear and sides. In the back there is enough space, although we must not forget that it is a compact SUV. The boot has a capacity of 350 litres. There is only one detail we find improvable: the absence of a front armrest, which is not available on any version.

Engine range of the Mazda CX-3

On petrol it offers the 2.0 Skyactiv-G with 120 CV (in 4×2 configuration, manual or automatic) and the more powerful 150 CV version, paired with the automatic gearbox and 4×4 traction. On diesel it debuts the new 1.5 Skyactiv-D with 105 CV, available in 4×2 and 4×4 (auto), as well as with manual and automatic gearboxes.

The 4×4 traction system is automatic, like most SUVs, but in this case it is oriented more towards safe driving in any situation than off-road use. Thanks to electronic management, the all-wheel-drive system has been optimised so that from the very first moment on low-grip surfaces the car responds, minimising wheelspin and response time.

Behind the wheel of the Mazda CX 1.5 Skyactiv-D 105 CV 4×2 and 4×4 Auto.

Our first contact was with the diesel engine: the first day paired with the six-speed automatic gearbox and all-wheel drive, and the second day with the manual gearbox and 4×2 traction.

As soon as you get behind the wheel of the CX-3 you notice something we already saw on the Mazda 2: the sense of quality in the interior finishes. It is not the typical compact SUV and it sits closer to the premium segment than to the mainstream one.

On the first kilometres behind the wheel, I notice a suspension that is comfortable but tries to mitigate, dynamically speaking, the car’s greater height, and which is never firm at any point, quite the opposite. What comes to mind is that it may not be very dynamic because of its height and the suspension that, at first sight, seeks comfort.

But as with everything, you cannot prejudge, and as the bends appear I realise it is more dynamic than I suspected: it responds promptly to steering inputs and enters corners with total confidence. In addition, I had the chance to try the diesel engine with the manual gearbox, and I was pleasantly surprised by the responsiveness of the engine (fitted with a single variable-geometry turbo that delivers boost from low revs), which produces 270 Nm of torque.

On the road it is a car that consumes little, always below 6 litres, and it also offers good sound insulation and a high level of comfort on board. The version with the automatic gearbox stands out for the speed of its shifts, but it does not draw the engine’s full potential, which is typical of this kind of CVT gearbox. Even so, it stands out for its speed and smoothness.

Before saying goodbye to the Mazda CX-3, we had a brief first contact with the 2.0 Skyactiv-G engine with 150 CV, 4×4 and automatic, a powertrain that stands out for its smoothness, although the 120 CV petrol engine with the manual gearbox is more than sufficient. In fact, the feel of the manual gearbox is very precise.

Equipment with safety as a flagship feature and prices from 17,307 euros

The range of safety systems available on the Mazda CX-3 is typical of a premium SUV. It can be equipped with: Full-LED headlights, blind spot monitoring, automatic city braking, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive lights, lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control.

The equipment of the new Mazda CX-3 will come in two trim levels: Style and Luxury. As standard it comes very well equipped:

• City braking assist system (SCBS)
• Hill start assist (HHA)
• Tyre pressure warning (TPMS)
• Automatic climate control
• On-board computer
• Speed control
• Push-button start and immobiliser
• CD player with 6 speakers
• Bluetooth with audio streaming + 2 USB inputs
• Leather steering wheel and gear lever knob
• 60/40 split rear seats
• Front and rear electric windows
• Driving mode selector (petrol with automatic gearbox)
• Heated exterior mirrors, electrically adjustable and folding
• 16″ steel wheels
• MZD Connect system with 7″ touchscreen
• Rear spoiler

The Luxury trim adds everything else, except the safety systems included in the Travel Pack (Blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, Directional lighting system, High beam control, Adaptive cruise control and Emergency braking) and leather. Standard on Luxury:

• Full LED headlights (including front fog lights and rear lights)
• Head-Up Display
• Cloth/leather mixed upholstery
• Navigation
• Rear-view camera
• Premium BOSE audio system with 7 speakers
• DAB digital radio
• Keyless smart entry
• Rain and light sensor
• Rear parking sensors
• Side skirts with chrome moulding
• Paddle shifters on the steering wheel (with automatic gearbox)
• 18″ alloy wheels
• Lane departure warning system (LDWS)
• Privacy glass for rear windows

Prices start at 20,345 euros for the 120 CV petrol Style model, but if we add all the discounts (Pive, financing and brand discount) it comes down to 17,307 euros. Meanwhile the 105 CV diesel with Style trim starts at 21,795 euros, but with discounts it comes down to 18,775 euros.

Photos | Diego G. Moreira