2017 Mazda CX-3 Road Test and Review

2017 MazdaCX3 front angle by Ryan ZumMallen ・ Photo by Ryan ZumMallen

Though it’s the newest addition, the 2017 Mazda CX-3 ticks all of the boxes we’ve come to expect from the brand. It’s affordable, efficient, and fun to drive. Of course, it’s also better looking than it has any right to be. Bundle all of that up, and the CX-3 offers one of the best packages in the quickly burgeoning subcompact crossover segment. Mazda was positioned perfectly to offer an SUV that rides, drives, and sips fuel more like a car — that’s been its M.O. for years prior, after all. As customers continue to scour dealerships for fun and zippy SUVs, they may find the CX-3 is one of the best around. Still, vehicles like this come with compromises by their very nature, and the CX-3 is no exception.

Balancing Act

Compact crossovers are supposed to be ungainly. Their very existence represents a mishmash of desires that don’t necessarily vibe with one another. A higher ride height with car-like handling? Affordable fuel efficiency with sufficient cargo and storage space? These are difficult qualities to reconcile. The first challenge is making it attractive enough to get people in the door. That isn’t a problem with the Mazda CX-3. Sharing many design principles with its siblings — most notably the larger CX-5 — the CX-3 packs a lot of personality into its shortened wheelbase. That only continues when you settle behind the wheel, as driving dynamics are clearly Miata-influenced. Compact crossovers are trying to tap into people’s emotions, and for many, the cheery Mazda CX-3 will be the standard bearer in that regard.

Photo by Ryan ZumMallen

Exterior Design

Artists had a field day with the Mazda CX-3, embracing the subcompact crossover challenge head-on. Depending on your experience, and sometimes the angle you’re viewing it from, the CX-3 can take on a different look for everyone. To me it came off very small, even for a hatchback; my wife and daughter, though, continually mistook it for our family CX-5. It’s a very interesting approach: Mazda elected for a very athletic look from the B-pillar forward, separating the CX-3 from other subcompact competitors but leaving little room for the second row and hatch. Tapping the “floating roof” trend at the D-pillar helps in that respect, giving the CX-3 an airy and lithe presence despite its stubby dimensions. Chalk up another victory for Mazda’s Kodo design language.

Photo by Ryan ZumMallen

Interior

What’s the opposite of sticker shock? Thanks to the quality and pleasantness of the 2017 Mazda CX-3 interior, we may need to coin the term. Soft leathers and attractive metals and plastics grace the CX-3 from its dash to its seats. Admire the sparkling aluminum air conditioning vents and you’ll soon spot a theme: circular accents all over, from the large center tachometer to the climate controls and prominent Mazda stamp on the steering wheel. Even the tiny infotainment dial is a joy to click around, and the 7-inch display it controls is clear and responsive. One complaint is center console storage, which not only negates a traditional space for odds and ends, but instead offers a bar that lowers directly over the cupholders. It does hold a smartphone nice and tight, though.

Photo by Ryan ZumMallen

Power and Efficiency

The single engine available across all Mazda CX-3 trims is a 2.0-liter SKYACTIV-G 4-cylinder packing 146 horsepower and 146 lb.-ft of torque. The powerplant is part of Mazda’s Skyactiv Technology, which stresses aerodynamics and efficiency from the front grille to the tailpipes. Here, that means the 2.0-liter engine uses higher compression rates to maximize performance from every drop of fuel. The 2017 Mazda CX-3 subsequently earns a 29/35 MPG rating in front-wheel drive, and 27/32 MPG in all-wheel drive. Both figures are impressive for the subcompact crossover class. On road, the CX-3 produces a strong and linear torque curve that grows playful as the revs climb. Even the front-wheel drive CX-3 wants to burst off the line.

Photo by Ryan ZumMallen

Performance

Here’s another area where the CX-3 laughably differs from traditional SUVs: in base Sport trim it weighs just 2,809 lbs.; fully-loaded Grand Touring AWD models tip the scales at just 2,952 lbs. The low weight combines with trademark zippy steering to make the CX-3 agile and precise. It’s tailor made for urban environments, or drivers looking for nimble athleticism at low speed. Open things up a bit, though, and the CX-3 shows its SUV side. The low weight and raised center of gravity create body roll through corners. I found myself wishing the CX-3 were lowered, or even a little heavier with perhaps more power. Of course, what I’m describing wouldn’t be a CX-3 at all — it’s a Mazda3 hatchback.

Photo by Ryan ZumMallen

Technology

Aside from Skyactiv Technology, the Mazda CX-3 brings useful and accessible technology (in the traditional sense) to the showroom floor. Especially for the price. Every CX-3 comes standard with the Mazda Connect infotainment system, offering easy access to smartphone connectivity and available navigation. The Grand Touring trim I tested boasts 7-speaker Bose Surround Sound as standard, plenty enough to combat the ambient road and wind noise many Mazdas struggle with. Most impressive is the array of technologies included in the GT i-Activesense Package ($1,170): radar cruise control, lane departure warning, Smart Brake Support and Smart City Brake Support. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto remain unavailable, but in a package that comes fully loaded at $27,260 out the door, the Mazda CX-3 offers an impressive range of tech.

Photo by Ryan ZumMallen

Safety

Blessed by the Safety Gods, the Mazda CX-3 has earned a 5-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the highest score possible from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The IIHS granted the CX-3 the rating of Top Safety Pick+ after it scored Good in every crash scenario, and its available safety technologies help lessen or avoid collisions altogether. In fact, the CX-3 avoided collisions at 12 mph, and in 25 mph collisions it reduced its own speed by 23 mph before impact. This is where Smart Brake Support and Smart City Brake Support come in — they're among the most highly-regarded collision avoidance technologies in the industry. High Beam Control and Adaptive Front Lighting help by keeping the road illuminated around corners.

Photo by Ryan ZumMallen

Storage and Cargo

Space is at a premium in the Mazda CX-3, which feels strange to say about any SUV, even a subcompact one. The back hatch offers only 12.4 cubic feet of cargo room — it shrinks to 10.1 if you opt for the Bose audio system. With the rear seats folded down, the CX-3 packs 44.5 cubic feet of space, well below the 58.8 cubic feet in the Honda HR-V, and in fact even less than the 47.1 cubic feet in the Mazda3 hatchback. Like all subcompact crossovers, the Mazda CX-3 is aimed at the young urban single set, so the lack of room is by design (if not ideal). If you only expect passengers for short runs to your local artisanal cider brewery, the lack of backseat and cargo space likely won’t be an issue.

Photo by Ryan ZumMallen

Trims and Pricing

There are three trim levels available on the 2017 Mazda CX-3, starting with the CX-3 Sport for $19,960. The Sport comes standard with 16-inch wheels, push button start, rearview camera, the 7-inch touchscreen and much more. Moving up to the CX-3 Touring adds 18-inch wheels, heated leatherette-trimmed seats, Advanced Keyless Entry and more for $21,960. The top model is the CX-3 Grand Touring, offering LED headlights, taillights, and fog lamps, plus air conditioning with a pollen filter, a power moonroof and safety technology included for $24,990. All trims are available with all-wheel drive for an additional $2,150. Pricing puts the CX-3 right alongside the Honda HR-V, Jeep Renegade and FIAT 500X, and below the Buick Encore, MINI Countryman and Nissan Juke.

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Competition

Pioneered by cute and off-beat models like the Nissan Juke and FIAT 500X, models like the Honda HR-V and Chevrolet Trax have infused the quirky subcompact crossover segment with increased refinement and all-around capability. There are also downright rugged options in the Jeep Renegade and Subaru Crosstrek (which even has a hybrid version). Luxe models like the MINI Cooper Countryman and Buick Encore have also entered the fold at the higher end of the pricing spectrum. Across the board, space is at a premium and form edges out function. The Mazda CX-3 stands out for its impressive value, comprehensive standard features and excellent handling. The CX-3 brings something unique to a unique segment, and plenty of buyers will happily find space in their refurbished arts district loft parking garages for it.

Photo by Ryan ZumMallen