Mazda Reviews

The new CX-3 brings a few detailed changes, a bigger diesel engine and a few little tech highlights to pique my and, Mazda hopes, your interest in this very little beauty.

Is the Mazda CX-5 Maxx best when paired with the brand's 2.5-litre engine? Peter Anderson thinks so. Here's why...

From sand to snow and back again, the Mazda CX-8 Asaki takes on a family road trip.

we've taken a broader approach to the segment, looking at three important models to see which performs across the board. Our contenders are the Honda HR-V, Hyundai Kona and Mazda CX-3.

If you've got three or more children or you just like large SUVs, Mazda's CX-9 should be high on your look-list. It's been Mazda's flagship vehicle for a good few years now, and is a proper seven seater, not an in-betweener, in the same category as the Toyota Kluger and Kia Sorento.

Mazda added the CX-8 to its SUV line-up this year. It sits in between a five-seater CX-5 and the large seven-seater CX-9, in that it has seven seats but it's not as big as a CX-9. It's smaller, so a bit easier to manoeuvre.

If you really must have a hard roof, with the attendant increase in weight (and lifting of the centre of gravity), then you'll be very happy with the RF, as it's a solid feeling lid that opens and shuts with minimal fuss (although you have to be doing less than 10km/h - ie basically stopped - to use it). Remarkably, at this entry level, the price comes in under $40K, just at $39,400. And you do get the properly fizzing new version of the 2.0-litre engine (RF is not available with the 1.5), making 135kW/205Nm, pushed to the rear wheels through either a fantastic six-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed auto that's nowhere near as much fun.Standard kit for the base car includes a new reversing camera, 16-inch alloy wheels, now black metallic for extra visual menace,  LED headlamps, power mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, climate-control air, black cloth seats, a 7-inch touch screen with 'MZD Connect', an audio system with six speakers and DAB+ (but no CD player), Bluetooth streaming, internet radio integration, satellite navigation, 'Smart City Brake Support', or AEB, 'Traffic Sign Recognition',  and blind-spot monitoring.The new car also gets a telescopically adjustable steering wheel, which makes the perfect driving position even more perfect.

If you're a true believer in the theory that weight is the enemy of performance, one of the guiding principles of the Mazda MX-5, then this $41,960 variant is the one for you. It's got the old, cloth-style roof rather than the fancy, and far heavier, folding hard top, and you really can feel the difference. But with the GT - unlike the base model 1.5-litre roadster - you get the properly fizzing new version of the 2.0-litre engine, making 135kW/205Nm, pushed to the rear wheels through either a fantastic six-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed auto that's nowhere near as much fun.Standard kit from the base car includes a new reversing camera, 16-inch alloy wheels, now black metallic for extra visual menace,  LED headlamps, power mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, climate-control air, black cloth seats, a 7.0-inch touchscreen with 'MZD Connect', an audio system with six speakers and DAB+ (but no CD player), Bluetooth streaming, internet radio integration, satellite navigation, 'Smart City Brake Support', or AEB, 'Traffic Sign Recognition', and blind-spot monitoring.Stepping up to this GT throws in 17-inch alloys, adaptive LED headlights and DRLs, black or tan leather seats, a Bose premium stereo with nine speakers, keyless entry, 'Driver Attention Alert', lane-departure warning and reverse parking sensors, and Smart City Brake Support in reverse. The new car also gets a telescopically adjustable steering wheel, which makes the perfect driving position even more perfect.

If you like your MX-5 with the lot, this is the car for you, at $45,960, which gets you not only the fizzing new version of the 2.0-litre engine (RF is not available with the 1.5), making 135kW/205Nm, pushed to the rear wheels through either a fantastic six-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed auto that's nowhere near as much fun.What you also get is the full suite of safety systems, so everything on entry level plus 'Driver Attention Alert', lane-departure warning and reverse parking sensors, and 'Smart City Brake Support' in reverse. You also get  17-inch  alloys, adaptive LED headlights and DRLs, black or tan leather seats, a Bose premium stereo with nine speakers and keyless entry.And, as on all new versions, your steering wheel is now telescopically adjustable for your comfort.  

Families have a fair few things to think about when buying a car. You want enough space for everyone to fit comfortably plus the boot space to lug the stuff around that accumulates when you have kids. You want it to drive well. You want it to be as safe as possible. And of course, you want it to look good. Really good. How hard can it be?