Test drive of the Mazda CX-3 2.0 Skyactiv-G 150 CV 4x4: smoothness and efficiency in petrol form

The Mazda CX-3 is a cornerstone of the Japanese manufacturer’s sales. Thanks to its urban-sized footprint, yet interior dimensions that are more than sufficient, it is being well received in the premium SUV segment. But to stay in shape, it received an update in 2019 that brings small but well-judged changes.

We have been able to test the Mazda CX-3 2019 with the two-litre petrol engine producing 150 CV, paired with 4×4 traction and a six-speed manual gearbox. An interesting combination that focuses on driving sensations thanks to the engine, manual gearbox and all-wheel drive.

New design for the MY2019

The exterior styling, marked by the master lines of the brand’s Kodo design, remains very striking today. Perhaps for that reason, Mazda has made few changes on the outside, focusing on the new grille and the rear lights with LED technology.

It also features a new design of 18-inch alloy wheels and a new body colour called “Soul Red Crystal“, combined with small touches of gloss black on the moulding trims and fog lights. Externally it keeps its sporty image, highlighting the aggressiveness of its lines, as well as the two centrally positioned exhaust outlets that accentuate its character.

Interior design: simple but quality lines

The general lines of the CX-3 interior have not changed, a design that seeks simplicity while also being functional. The touchscreen dominates the upper part of the dashboard, while there are barely any buttons on the centre console (except for the climate control). The multimedia section is controlled from the controller on the centre console, which is intuitive and practical to use. The quality of the materials used in the interior stands out above the segment.

The driving position is comfortable, in our unit the seat has electric adjustment, with a slightly higher seating position than a compact car. It has an armrest that adds comfort, and visibility is good (apart from the rear, due to the design).

Despite its dimensions, it is quite spacious in both the front and rear seats. The rear seats now also have a centre armrest. The boot has a capacity of 350 litres, which is about average for the segment.

Engine and performance: 2.0 Skyactiv-G 150 CV

Mazda remains faithful to its naturally aspirated engines in the petrol range. It may seem to be swimming against the tide, but all its vehicles meet emissions regulations without needing filters, reduced displacement or turbocharging to maintain power.

Personally, I consider this two-litre unit a real pleasure in terms of smoothness and power delivery, it is not instantaneous, but it is very smooth and progressive, so much so that it revs without seeming to have a limit, moving with particular ease around 4,000 rpm, not for nothing does it deliver its maximum power at 6,000 rpm.

Add the manual gearbox and the pairing is perfect. It lets you enjoy the driving and get the most out of the engine, always bearing in mind that it is a naturally aspirated engine, which means you have to rev it higher to extract each of the 150 CV, but they are there, and when the engine spins high the CX-3 moves with great ease.

Handling: like silk

As we rev it higher, the engine feels smooth, progressive and quietIn the first kilometres at the wheel of the Mazda CX-5 the predominant sensation is smoothness: from the moment we start the engine it feels smooth, progressive and quiet. As we rev it higher, the sound that emerges is even pleasant, with a certain sporty edge, provided we keep it above 4,000 revolutions.

The suspension has a feel fully oriented towards comfort: it is not excessively soft, but nor is it firm. At high speeds it is very stable, while on roads with bends it does its job, although it is not as agile as other models from the brand. What you do notice is the G-Vectoring Control, which keeps everything under control even when driving on a mountain pass, bringing out the most sporty side of this CX-3.

Its reactions are not those of a sports car, but the sensations at the wheel do suggest a sporty style of driving, partly thanks to the engine, which revs almost without limit, and the gearbox with its precise feel, which makes for fun on a stretch of bends.

On the open road, however, it has a smooth and stable ride, and this is also where consumption is lowest and we can enjoy the smoothness of the engine. On the motorway it is a very composed car, but you have to work the gearbox on long climbs or when overtaking, because it tends to cruise at around 2,500 rpm, and you have to make use of the upper part of the rev counter to unleash all its horses, though they are certainly there.

All-wheel drive works automatically. It is probably not what most CX-3 buyers ask for, although it works properly. With good snow or M+S tyres you can make the most of it off the tarmac.

Consumption

What has surprised me most personally about this updated CX-3 is its average consumption. Despite being a two-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, average consumption on the open road hovers around 6.5 litres per 100 km. This figure is more typical of a diesel engine than a petrol one.

If we are less careful about how we drive, the figure rises to 7 litres per 100 km, while in the city, on our usual test route through the streets of Vigo, consumption was 8.5 litres per 100 km.

Equipment: safety as standard

When looking at equipment, we always analyse first the safety systems fitted as standard. In this case the Mazda CX-3 includes: multiple airbags (including curtain airbags), an emergency braking assistance system with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, stability control with G-Vectoring Control, among other features.

Optionally you can add the traffic sign recognition system, rear cross-traffic alert, or the adaptive Full-LED headlights, which offer outstanding lighting, delivering a powerful beam without dazzling other drivers.

In the Zenith trim of our test unit, there is also a complete sound system with 7 speakers signed by BOSE, complemented by the navigation system, which integrates digital radio and internet radio apps.

Price and personal opinion

The starting price of the updated Mazda CX-3 is 21,345 euros with the Origin trim and the 121 CV petrol engine, a good starting price considering how complete the standard equipment is. Personally, the only thing I would take away from this CX-3 is the all-wheel drive, unless we live somewhere where adverse weather conditions make it useful, since most buyers of a Mazda CX-3 will not need traction for their day-to-day use, driving on tracks or unpaved areas without problems thanks to the vehicle’s ground clearance.

It surprises with its interior quality, very few offer this level of finish for little more than 20,000 euros, and if we are not going to cover many kilometres the petrol option is not only rational but economical, since the consumption figures we obtained in our test unit with 150 CV are more than correct, standing out for the smoothness of the engine (it hardly has rivals in this respect, as most rely on low-displacement turbo engines that are less smooth).

Photos | Test team