Mazda CX-3: Nothing To Complain About

2023 Author: Eric Donovan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-08-25 09:36

The Mazda CX-3 is popular. But what about the reliability as the jacked up small car as a used car?

Not bad. But first things first: Elevated small cars in a trendy SUV look are in. Customers love these handy, but easy to get on vehicles. The Mazda CX-3, available since 2015, belongs to the category of mini-SUV; At least at first glance, you don't see that it is descended from the Mazda2 small car. Customers like it, as it has become the second best-selling Mazda model. Only the longer CX-5 is in greater demand from Mazda.

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The CX-3 stretches over a length of 4.28 meters, which is 22 centimeters longer than its gene donor. The increase in length benefits the front passengers. And what the small SUV lacks in length compared to the compact Mazda3, it makes up for in greater height. Especially at the front, you don't feel like you're in a small car, but enjoy plenty of free space around you. The rear of the SUV offshoot is rather cramped, as is typical of a small car, and getting into the rear is a bit difficult due to the rear doors that don't open wide.

Visually stylish

The Japanese opted for a stylish appearance, neither too cute nor too rustic was probably the motto of the design team. The five-seater has a decent trunk. The standard version has a capacity of 350 liters; if you fold the rear seat backs, the value increases to up to 1,260 liters. The workmanship is good, but you can see from the interior that a pointed pen was used. In the higher equipment lines, placed leather trim parts and foamed plastic parts cleverly hide the fact that a large part of the high-quality dashboard is made of simple plastic.

At the market launch, a two-liter four-cylinder petrol engine was available in two stages with 120 hp and 150 hp and a 1.5-liter diesel with 105 hp. The gasoline engines do without turbo support. All three engines can also be combined with a six-speed automatic. The strongest Otto always drives up with all-wheel drive, the diesel can also be ordered with 4 × 4 drive. The small Mazda thus offers an unusual variety.

Competitors mostly without all-wheel drive

Most of its competitors such as Renault Captur do not even offer all-wheel drive. With the 2018 facelift, the engines were revised, they now meet the Euro 6d-temp emissions standard. The diesel, which now has 115 hp and a 1.8 liter displacement, achieves this without the need for exhaust gas aftertreatment via urea injection. Its consumption is an average of 4.4 liters (with all-wheel drive 4.8 liters), for the gasoline engine Mazda gives average values of 6.1 to 7.0 liters.

The CX-3 is offered in four equipment lines. The top version includes a navigation system, a head-up display and an 18-inch aluminum model. Matrix LED headlights can also be ordered here on request. Extras are often grouped together in packages so that the rear parking aid, for example, can only be ordered in combination with lane departure warning and seat heating. Well equipped, the SUV quickly moved away from the base price of around 18,000 euros. Incidentally, since the facelift, better seats have been installed that offer comfort even on longer journeys. If you value smartphone integration via Apple Carplay or Android Auto, you should reach for a model after the refresh. In the NCAP crash test, the little one received four out of five stars.

Good grades from TÜV

When it comes to reliability and durability, the TÜV has nothing to complain about. In the models evaluated so far, but which have only just completed their first general inspection, the CX-3 scores with almost flawless results. Only the front light causes occasional problems, but the brakes and chassis are at their best. If you look at the used car online portals, you will mostly discover well-equipped models. Of course, this also has an impact on the price. Five-year-old vehicles start at around 12,000 euros.

If you are looking for a sleek car, value reliability and don't hesitate at the high used car prices, the Mazda CX-3 is in good hands. Especially since the little one is available with all-wheel drive and automatic converter. (SP-X)