Small tweaking makes the CX-3 even better, says Damien O’Carroll.
While it is still largely considered one of the leaders in its segment, the Mazda CX-3 recently received a small mid-life upgrade, just to keep it at the pointy end of the segment.
The CX-3 received a few small tweaks to the exterior and the addition of Mazda's G-vectoring control across the range, while the Limited model you see here gets extra driver assists and a colour heads-up display.
Small tweaks, to be sure, but then the CX-3 really didn't need fixing, as it sure wasn't broken.
Mazda hasn't played with the styling much, which is just as well, because the CX-3 is a fine looking car to begin with.
It looks just like a Mazda, only even better, with its bold styling that works brilliantly well on the small SUV/tall hatch body style. Doesn’t actually look much like an SUV, but avoids looking like just a tall hatch as well.
On the inside a beautifully built interior is made from high quality materials and looks just as distinctive and handsome as the exterior. Everything you come into contact with feels fantastically high quality and the seats are fantastically comfortable and supportive.
That said, the touchscreen that wont let you touch it when on the move is annoying (you have to use the dial) and the overall infotainment experience feels very last generation, particularly as it lacks any form of phone projection.
Under the bonnet, the 109kW/192Nm 2.0-litre engine is eager and nicely powerful and torquey. The six-speed automatic transmission is quick and responsive, and everything works brilliantly when cruising.
However, the engine can become a bit strained when you wind things up a bit, sounding uncharacteristically coarse up in the revs.
On the road the CX-3 boasts a great ride and a nimble, responsive chassis. It has the composure of a far larger car on the road and the steering is delightfully accurate.
A brilliantly complete package, the Mazda CX-3 is probably the current king of the small SUV segment, at least certainly as far as the Japanese manufacturers are concerned.
It is at the top end of the segment in terms of pricing, but what it offers in excess of anything else in the segment and more than makes up for the money asked.
The quality interior, dynamic and bold styling (without going bonkers – looking at you Toyota CH-R) and classy driving experience all set the CX-3, and in particular this top-spec Limited model, apart from the rest.
It isn’t all sweetness and light, however, as the engine, while powerful and nicely responsive, does have a tendency towards being slightly noisy and strained, particularly under full throttle. This is something that seems all the more glaring when contrasted to the rest of the cars effortless refinement.
Still, despite this the Mazda CX-3 Limited still offers a very compelling and satisfying package in the small SUV – and really even the small hatch – segment.
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SPECIFICATIONS
Body type Five-door hatch
Drive Front wheel drive
Engine type Inline four-cylinder petrol
Engine capacity 2.0-litres
Max power 109kW @ 6000rpm
Max torque 192Nm @ 2800rpm
l/100km (Combined) 6.1
C02 emissions 146g/km
Boot capacity 231 litres
Spare tyre Space saver
ANCAP rating 5 stars
Price $40,195
