2018 Mazda CX-3 – Review & Road Test

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Let's say you want an SUV but you also don't want an SUV. Have I got a vehicle
for you?!
It's called the Mazda CX-3. In the popular subcompact SUV segment it is
without a doubt the sportiest and least SUV-like contender. The first wave of
sportiness comes from the CX-3's athletic sculpted exterior. That sporting
character also manifests itself dynamically with agile handling and
tenacious grip, making the Mazda CX-3 a truly engaging car to drive...SUV. You
might expect the CX-3's superior handling to be matched by a serious powerhouse
under the hood and you would be wrong. Around town, acceleration is fine but the
2-liter four-cylinder engine is tuned for efficiency. Like its Miata cousin, the
CX-3 is a momentum car. Handling gear changes in all CX-3s is a competent
6-speed automatic with sport and manual shift modes. Ok, so it might be fun to
look at and drive but as you learned during that regrettable trip to Cabo,
good times come at a price. For one, the CX-3 is not the cushiest subcompact SUV.
If you want to justify its slightly firmer ride you better squeeze maximum joy
out of every corner. And two, the CX-3's tidy dimensions have serious
implications for interior space. The rear quarters are tight, even for a small SUV.
I like the pleasing materials and stylish design and I have enough
headroom but my knees are jammed into the seat back and it doesn't take much
effort to put my head against the front headrest.
Ding. Oh, you'd probably just put in the sound effect wouldn't you? Up front, life is
better. The telescopic steering wheel doesn't telescope quiet as much as I
want but I can still get a pretty decently comfortable driving position
and passenger space is great, assuming there's nobody of significance behind
you.
The CX-3's small stature does help urban dwellers exploit tight parking spots but
be warned, narrow side and rear glass doesn't make the job any easier. Compared
to the CX-3's 12.4 cubic foot cargo area nearly every one of its
competitors offers more space. In fact, so does the Mazda3, which provides the same
hatchback functionality as the CX 3 for about the same price but with more space
behind both the second and first rows. Interestingly, the CX-3 and Mazda3 each
have the same ground clearance, reducing this little guy's SUV cred to a $1,200
all-wheel drive system that knox 2 mpg off both city and highway economy. It
might lack the space and ruggedness once deemed essential for SUVs but the Mazda
CX-3 fights back with features. For right about $21,000, including destination
charges, the base CX-3 Sport trim is competitively-priced, offering cruise
control, Bluetooth, an automatic collision avoidance braking system that
operates under 19 miles per hour, and a backup camera displayed on a 7-inch
touchscreen. At least it's a touchscreen until you start driving at which point
the touch functionality is locked out and you have to use this control knob
inconveniently located down here. Control issues aside it's a fine system but the
lack of modern smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto makes
my heart cry.
For a more indulgent CX-3 experience higher trims and the option sheet can
add automatic climate control, leatherette or leather-trimmed seating, a power
memory driver seat, LED headlights, 18-inch wheels replacing the base car 16
inchers, a heated steering wheel, steering wheel mounted paddle shifters, Bose
premium audio, embedded navigation, smart key access to accompany the standard
push-button start, and a variety of high-tech driver aids including dynamic
cruise control, lane departure warning, and blind spot monitoring. There's also
an available center armrest that covers where your drinks go, makes it hard to
use this control knob, has a spot to stow your phone but in this particular car
gets a bunch of gunk on it, and when you put your arm on it it squeaks a lot. How
bad do you want to rest your arm? Spec a truly grand Grand Touring trim and the
MSRP settles just shy of $29,000. As for resale values the CX-3 is projected to
perform near the top of a class that includes the Jeep Renegade, Chevy Trax,
Toyota CH-R, and perhaps the Kia Soul. For our money the comparatively roomy,
practical, and value-rich Honda HR-V remains the logical subcompact SUV to
beat. But really, if logic drove all our car buying habits we wouldn't have a
whole category of vehicles that sit just high enough we can all pretend
they're not hatchbacks. And that's fine. Humans are naturally emotional creatures.
The Mazda cx-3 is not a particularly practical SUV but it
does have strong aesthetic and emotional powers. If you're going to defy logic you may
as well have a little fun in the process.

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2018 Mazda CX-3 – Review & Road Test

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