Test Car Specifications
Model tested: Mazda CX-3 1.5 SkyActiv D SE
Price: £18,995
Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel
Transmission: front-wheel-drive, six-speed manual
Body style: compact crossover
Top speed: 110mph
0-62mph: 10.1 seconds
Power: 105hp at 4,000rpm
Torque: 270Nm at 1,600- to 2,500rpm
What's this?
It's Mazda's rival for the hugely successful likes of the Nissan Juke, Renault Captur and Peugeot 2008 - a compact crossover that blends rugged good looks with in-town manoeuvrability and frugal running costs. Hopefully. Being based on the newly-released Mazda2 supermini should get the CX-3 off to a good start, and you'd have to say that it's one of the best looking small SUVs around - none of the wackiness of the Juke or the careful solemnity of the Peugeot 2008. In fact, park it next to its bigger brother, the CX-5, and you realise just how good looking the CX-3 is; really pretty in fact.
Inside, it borrows heavily from the 2 and 3 (which is hardly a surprise) so you get really good quality fixtures and fittings, but the cabin can look a little bit plain depending on the spec. The central seven-inch touch-screen is neat and effective though and there's a new app called 'aha', which, when downloaded to your smartphone and connected to the new MZD-Connect infotainment system, allows you to customise your in-car entertainment layouts from radio to internet radio to podcasts. It'll even read out your tweets and emails if you like.
We still can't decide if the instrument pack looks pleasingly minimalist or just plain under-done, but there's no doubting that, even with a comically tiny rev-counter, it's easy to read and the optional heads-up display is part of Mazda's push to keep the driver fully informed (and entertained) without needless distraction.
In fact, Mazda is pushing the safety button hard on the CX-3, which can be optionally had with LED lights with an automatic high-beam function, active cruise control, automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning and more. It is worth noting, though, that the self-braking system switches off at just under 19mph, as does the active cruise control. Which means that if someone emergency brakes in front of you on the motorway, you're on your own...
You can have a choice of 1.5-litre 105hp diesel or a 2.0-litre petrol in either 120- or 150hp forms. Auto transmission is available as an option on all models as is a four-wheel drive system that uses such inputs as whether or not the windscreen wipers are on and how cold it is outside to help decide on where it sends the engine's power.
How does it drive?
Really, really well is the short version. Mazda went to some lengths to point out the 'Jinba Ittai' connection between the CX-3 and the MX-5 sports car - both cars are said to demonstrate that old Japanese concept of 'horse and rider in harmony.' That may sound like so much marketing bumf, but out on the road, the CX-3 starts to make you believe, just a little, that there might be something in it.
Certainly it feels more sure-footed and stable than most rivals, with a lovely smooth sensation to every control input and response. The steering is a little light on feel but the weighting is lovely, and the CX-3 copes with fast direction changes far better than a car designed to be an SUV should. Ride comfort is excellent too - a little firm around town possibly, but really well balanced between comfort and keeping the body steady on the open road.
The 1.5-litre diesel is a decent engine - it's been heavily redesigned compared to the 2.2-litre unit that it's based on. There's a new turbo, new exhaust system and even new pistons. The engine in our test car felt a little noisy at times, and occasionally sent a mild vibration up through the steering wheel, but these were the last of the pre-production cars so perhaps we can give Mazda a little leeway in this respect.
There's good low-down torque but it's an engine that runs out of puff pretty quickly after that initial punch, so you're better off hanging on to a higher gear in the sweet-shifting six-speed gearbox and let the low-down oomph do the heavy lifting. Driven this way, the CX-3 feels pleasantly brisk, if not exceptionally quick.
There's better news on the fuel consumption front. We've always struggled to get anywhere near the official figures with the 2.2 SkyActiv diesel but this 1.5 seems like it might make a better fist of things. Driving mostly around town, in a four-wheel drive equipped model, we averaged 43mpg, which is a little way south of its official 57mpg in urban conditions, but closer in percentage terms than we've ever managed with its bigger brother.
Hold on though, because diesel might (shock, horror) not be the only solution. Mazda is swimming against the tide somewhat by offering a non-turbo 2.0-litre petrol engine, but guess what, it might actually be the smart choice. You'll save £1,000 on the purchase price for a start, and the petrol model proved actually about as economical as the diesel on a mixed driving route. OK, so the diesel would have done better out of town but 43mpg for the petrol car, including some brisk mountain route work and some motorway and urban miles, is pretty good. Better yet, it's smoother, quieter and sweeter than the diesel. Try before you buy.
It's also worth checking out the CX-3 in the back as it's not quite as spacious as you might think. Boot space, at 350 litres, is fine, but the rear seats are a little tight, so make sure you're happy you and anyone who regularly travels with you can fit in OK. At least there are no question marks over the quality - even these pre-production cars felt as tight as a drum in terms of build.
Refinement is another potential issue. Mazda was making grand claims at the launch that the CX-3 has the comfort and NVH suppression of much larger cars, but we're not so sure. On smooth tarmac, it's impressively quiet and comfy, but coarser surfaces generate quite a bit of tyre noise.
Verdict
Well, I think we can safely say that the CX-3 is the best looking car in the compact crossover class (move over Renault Captur) and it seems, on this first acquaintance, to be the best to drive too. Space in the back could be a little better, and there's still a question mark over refinement, but this could well nip in as the new class-leader.
Exterior Design
Interior Ambience
Passenger Space
Luggage Space
Safety
Comfort
Driving Dynamics
Powertrain
