2017 Mazda CX-3 vs 2019

What's the difference?

Mazda's baby SUV, the CX-3, has been nothing short of a sales sensation since its release almost two years ago. After grabbing the segment by the scruff off its neck and tossing aside its erstwhile sales leader, the Mitsubishi ASX, like the whimpy kid in the playground, the minute Mazda has established itself as the Boy King.

Competition is getting hotter, though, and in a growing segment, you have to stay on your toes. Mazda recently gave the CX-3 range some attention to counter the arrival of Toyota's C-HR, while helping to continue to fend off its other rival, Honda. More trouble looms later in the year with the arrival of the Hyundai Kona.

Up here at the top of the range, however, not too far away from Euro offerings from Mini and Audi, things are pretty relaxed. Just 10 per cent of Mazda sales go the Akari's way, but that's still a healthy number (particularly in terms of Mazda's profits). Does the Akari have what it takes to hold buyers back from taking the plunge on a Countryman, or stretching even further to a Q2?

The small SUV segment of the Australian car market is chock-a-block with vehicles – and Mazda has carved out its own niche in the crossover SUV realm with its popular CX-3 range. 

The Akari Luxury Edition (LE) is the line-up’s top-shelf model. It’s front-wheel drive, perky, a tad squeezy inside and more than a little bit posh. 

The CX-3 has a pretty good rep for on-road ride and handling, but how does the flagship model cope when you drive it off the bitumen and hit the gravel or dirt? Read on.