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Mazda CX-3 – crossover cool
IT’S a compelling blend – crossover cool in a compact package.
And it’s also something Mazda has expertly put together in the shape of its supermini-based CX-3.
The car-buying public can’t get enough of small crossovers these days, and it’s easy to understand why – they look that bit tougher than hatchbacks, yet don’t usually come with costly off-road hardware.
On both looks and price – the starting point is £18,495 – the CX-3 certainly takes some beating in its category.
But for those who want to splash out a few ‘grand’ extra for something that’s not only highly specced up but also more exclsuive, the Japanese brand has rolled out an eye-catching CX-3 Sport Black+ model.
Based on the 121PS SE-L Nav+ variant, it has a 2.0-litre petrol engine and comes with a choice of manual or automatic gearbox plus three paint jobs in Soul Red Crystal metallic, Eternal Blue mica or Machine Grey metallic.
Styling-wise, a black rear spoiler and mirror caps sharpen the exterior styling while inside there are black leather seats as standard.
Costing £22,195 for manual and an extra £1,000 for automatic, there’s kit like 18-inch silver alloy wheels, front parking sensors, a reversing camera, heated steering wheel and a colour head up display.
Of course not everyone wants to target the top end of the model range and the good news is that the rest of the line-up has been updated with a more upmarket cabin now designed around an electric parking brake.
The centre console flows more elegantly into the dash, while the Mazda Multimedia Commander has moved forward and there’s now a padded armrest with console storage box beneath.
And invisible improvements like thicker sound isolation in the doors and enhanced rear glazing adds to a more premium feel overall.
Despite the CX-3’s compact dimensions passenger space has never really been an issue except perhaps for three passengers across the back, and the well-shaped boot has a drop-in floor to aid loading.
Up for grabs is an eight model line-up that includes just a single, two wheel drive diesel variant powered by a new 1.8-litre SKYACTIV-D engine.
The lion’s share of the range is powered by improved versions of the company’s 2.0-litre SKYACTIV-G petrol engine, available in 121 and 150PS power outputs, and with either two or four wheel drive.
Our tested model featured the lower powered of the pair – a smooth and sweet unit that not only has a fair kick but can also realistically return an average 44 miles per gallon.
It works nicely in a car that handles better than most compact crossovers or small SUVs and benefits from the new springs and dampers fitted to the latest CX-3 models, making its ride the most comfortable yet.
- SPEC CHECK
- MAKE Mazda.
- MODEL CX-3 2.0 Sport Black +.
- ENGINE 1,998cc, 4-cyl petrol.
- POWER 121PS at 6,000rpm.
- PERFORMANCE 0-62 in 9.0 secs, top speed 119mph.
- ECONOMY 38.2mpg Urban, 57.6 Extra Urban, 47.9 Combined.
- CO2 EMISSIONS 137g/km.
- BiK RATING 28%.
- PRICE £22,195 on the road.
WHAT’S HOT
- Style, practicality, economy, refinement.
- WHAT’S NOT
- Bland interior
- RATINGS {Out of 10}
LOOKS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
EQUIPMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
RIDE AND HANDLING . . . . 7
PERFORMANCE . . . . . . . . . .8
VALUE FOR MONEY . . . . . .8
