Mazda CX-3 Touring 2015 review

Mazda's entry into the small SUV segment took too long allowing some of its competitors to get a foothold.

It matters not a hoot because the CX-3 blows them out of the water on most fronts, not the least being price and value. You can get into a base CX-3 for as little as $19,990 for a front wheel drive Neo manual.

The CX-3 easily outpoints anything else in the class - by a long shot

Design

Explore the 2015 Mazda CX-3 range

• Mazda CX-3 2015 review: road test
• Mazda CX-3 Akari 2015 review
• Mazda CX-3 2015 review
• Mazda CX-3 2015 review: snapshot
• Mazda CX-3 Touring 2015 review
• Mazda CX-3 Touring petrol 2015 review

Then there's the not insignificant point of styling on which the CX-3 easily outpoints anything else in the class - by a long shot. Even if you add thousands to your budget and look at a similar size premium Euro small SUV, the CX-3 has them covered.

It's striking lines look sleek and sexy from all angles highlighted on some of the extensive range by LED headlights and tail lights.

Four grades are offered; Neo, Maxx, sTouring and Akari with two engine choices, a 1.5-litre turbodiesel and a 2.0-litre petrol.

Engine / Transmission

The diesel is a newcomer to Mazda, but the 2.0-litre petrol is out of the Mazda3 hatch and sedan.

The diesel is rated at 77kW/270Nm and the petrol 109/192Nm, with the diesel capable of a best of 4.8L/100km and the petrol 6.1L/100km.

Transmissions are six speed manual and six speed auto. The all wheel drive system is on-demand.

Skyactiv optimisation technology is used on both engines and transmissions with reduced friction and size minimisation a feature of the process.

A range of driver assist features is offered including blind spot warning, rear cross traffic alert, smart city braking and other stuff.

Value

On the sTouring diesel CX-3 we drove, the safety pack cost an additional $1038 on the asking price of $33,390 - money well spent.

The sTouring is well equipped

The test car was in a new ceramic metallic colour - a kind of silvery cream that we haven't seen on anything else before. The look was highlighted by pronounced wheel arch flares and the car's standard 18-inch alloys.

Yep, it has the looks department well and truly covered.

Same inside which could be inside a BMW, with a central commander control knob between the front seats and a large multimedia screen in the middle of the beautifully styled dash. They have minimised instrumentation in front of the driver to one dial only. 

The sTouring is well equipped with auto headlights and wipers, climate control, keyless start and entry, engine stop/start and decent audio.

Seating is provided for five with adequate space in the rear for a couple of medium size suitcases and soft luggage.

It gets a five star crash rating with all that brings.

Driving

We had just stepped out of a Mazda3 XD diesel and the 1.5-litre CX-3 diesel doesn't have anywhere near the kick of the 2.2. You'd expect that.

It gets underway smartly but there's a slight hesitation as the small turbocharger spools up and starts generating torque.

That can be annoying.

Once off and running there is no cause for complaint as the engine has plenty of grunt and runs smoothly and quietly. The stop/start system can be caught out with quick off and ons. But you'd learn to live with it or turn off the stop/start.

It's a good thing for sure

It uses very little fuel as we found out on a 600km drive that consumed about half a tank.

The ride is sporty but comfortable and other dynamic functions of the CX-3 are competent.