This content is out of date and scheduled to be removed.

First Drive Review: Mazda CX-3

Image of Phil Huff
Author: | Updated: 22 Jun 2015 10:26

The crossover; it has been invented and reinvented numerous times in its short life already, with multiple manufacturers proudly claiming that it was all their doing.

Any carmaker without a crossover in their range is letting thousands of sales and millions in revenue slip them by and Mazda isn’t going to let that happen. Hence this, the CX-3.

Sitting, somewhat predictably, below the CX-5, the CX-3 is aiming squarely at the Nissan Juke, eschewing the over-the-top exterior of its rival with some elegant ‘Kodo’ styling. The result is modern, muscular and restrained.

Mazda CX-3 2016 red front

Smooth and satisfying

Engine options are simple, if limited. The 2.0-litre petrol engine develops either 120 or 150PS, the latter being used exclusively on the four-wheel drive variant. In the diesel corner, there’s a 1.5-litre unit with a turbocharger bolted on that produces just 105PS.

If 105PS doesn’t sound too sporty, well, you’d be right. This is no beefed-up MX-5, but there is still a lot to like about it as you hurtle through the countryside. The six-speed gearbox is slick, each change of gear slotting in like the last piece of a jigsaw, smooth and satisfying.

That makes keeping the diesel engine’s turbo spinning easy enough, allowing you to extract every ounce of performance. Thanks to a kerb weight of just 1,275kg, the 0-62mph sprint takes just 10.1 seconds. The petrol engine options might offer a little more outright performance, but the low-down torque of the diesel makes that choice feel far more sprightly, even if the numbers don’t actually back that up.

Mazda CX-3 2016 red  rear

Show the CX-3 a corner and it clings on like adhesive to your hair, with some excellent body control leaving little body roll. It’s not entirely engaging, but the ultimate capability of the chassis is far better than you have any right to expect, making transcontinental dashes a breeze.

None of that is at the expense of ride comfort. The 16-inch wheels allow for bigger tyres that absorb much of the imperfections in the road surface, allowing the suspension to concentrate itself on riding the bumps, camber changes and surface changes without any hullabaloo.

Mazda CX-3 2016 red side

Cabin

This allows you to focus on the interior, which you’ll be pleased to know is excellent. In keeping with Mazda’s march upmarket, there is plenty of leather, neatly stitched at the edges, covering the dashboard, centre console and arm rests, while fake carbon fibre or aluminium trim adorns other areas.

It looks to be lifted directly from the Mazda2, with just the slightest of modification. This is no bad thing as the 2 is a superb little car.

The CX-3 is just as well equipped as the 2 too with air conditioning, DAB radio, cruise control, seven-inch touch screen infotainment centre, multiple USB ports, a CD player and much more all coming as standard across the range.

Take the SE-L Nav model tested here and you can add heated seats, automatic lights and windscreen wipers, lane departure warning, city braking assist and privacy glass to the mix, as well as satellite navigation (clue’s in the name).

The front seat passengers can enjoy all of that, but those in the rear face a harder time. The coupe-like roofline eats in to the available headroom, while the rising waistline leaves little glass making it all a bit claustrophobic in the rear. A boot offering 350-litres of capacity matches the Juke and Mini’s Countryman.

Mazda CX-3 2016 interior

Running and lease costs

It’s got the Mini beaten on running costs, thanks to the frugal diesel engine sipping just one gallon fuel for every 70.6 miles travelled. CO2 emissions of 105g/km result in a car tax bill of just £20 per year - the same as you’d pay with a Juke - but a rung lower down the tax ladder than the Countryman.

A purchase price of £20,995 is a bit steep though, putting it right in the premium territory the Mini sits in, but there’s no doubt that it offers pretty compelling value in return.

Despite that high list price, the CX-3 could do very well. It’s better than the Juke by some margin, offers better value than the Mini Countryman, and makes a mockery of the Vauxhall Mokka. Only the Fiat 500X offers anything on a par with the Mazda, although Renault’s Captur is a distinctively designed option.

With residual values predicted to be strong, the total cost of ownership might not be quite as high as expected and leasing rates are favourable, averaging out at £300 (business) or £351 (personal). We found business deals as low as £121 but outside of that one exceptional case, the majority of the most affordable deals hover around the £200 mark. Personal users can pick up a CX-3 for £220.30.

Verdict

The emotional appeal is there thanks to the way the CX-3 drives and looks, but that might just be enough for the rational side to be appeased as well.

Mazda CX-3 2016 red and white

CX-3 at a glance:

Length: 4275mm
Width: 1765mm
Height: 1535mm
Wheelbase: 2570mm
Boot space: 350 / 1260 litres

Petrol engines: 2.0 SKYACTIV-G 120PS 2WD, 2.0 SKYACTIV-G 150PS AWD
Diesel engines: 1.5 SKYACTIV-D 105PS (2WD / AWD Sport Nav only)
Trims: SE, SE-L, Sport Nav

Model tested: 1.5 150PS 2WD SE-L Nav (£20,995 OTR) - 10.1s 0-62mph, 70.6mpg, 105g/km CO2
Fastest: 2.0 petrol 150ps AWD Sport Nav – 8.7 seconds 0-62mph
Greenest: 1.5 diesel – 105g/km, 70.6mpg

Average leasing rates: £300 business, £351 personal
Lowest leasing rate: £121 business, £220.30 personal

Key rivals: Nissan Juke, Renault Captur, Fiat 500X, Vauxhall Mokka
Available: Now

Monthly leasing rates based on 6+35 10k p/a agreement, correct as of June 22 2015

Previous Post Next Post
Not sure what car you want?
  • Easy-to-use tool
  • Save time and money
  • Meet your match
Find your dream car

Manufacturer Spotlight

Related Deals

  • Mazda Mx-30

    107kW Exclusive Line 35.5kWh 5dr Auto

    Mazda Mx-30 107kW Exclusive Line 35.5kWh 5dr Auto
    Personal Contract Hire
    1+47 5k Miles p/a
    Initial Payment: £338.67
    £338.67
    p/m inc. VAT
    View
    Deal by: Jet Vehicle Finance
  • Mazda Mx-30

    107kW Exclusive Line 35.5kWh 5dr Auto

    Mazda Mx-30 107kW Exclusive Line 35.5kWh 5dr Auto
    Personal Contract Hire
    6+47 5k Miles p/a
    Initial Payment: £1,840.32
    £306.72
    p/m inc. VAT
    View
    Deal by: Jet Vehicle Finance
  • Mazda Mx-30

    107kW Exclusive Line 35.5kWh 5dr Auto

    Mazda Mx-30 107kW Exclusive Line 35.5kWh 5dr Auto
    Personal Contract Hire
    9+47 5k Miles p/a
    Initial Payment: £2,612.61
    £290.29
    p/m inc. VAT
    View
    Deal by: Jet Vehicle Finance
  • Mazda Mx-30

    107kW Makoto 35.5kWh 5dr Auto

    Mazda Mx-30 107kW Makoto 35.5kWh 5dr Auto
    Personal Contract Hire
    9+47 6k Miles p/a
    Initial Payment: £2,863.08
    £318.12
    p/m inc. VAT
    View
    Deal by: Eden Motor Group