Mazda CX-3
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2017 Mazda CX-3 Overview
The two thousand seventeen Mazda CX-3 ranks one out of thirteen Subcompact SUVs.
The Mazda CX-3 is bursting with joy, featuring best-in-class spectacle and sporty treating that more resembles a car than an SUV. It has a comparatively low base price, yet the interior is marked by astounding materials and a luxurious design. The CX-3 comes up brief on rear passenger room and cargo space, however, which detracts from its convenience.
Scorecard
- Overall: 8.Four
- Critics’ Rating: 8.8
- Spectacle: 8.9
- Interior: 7.Trio
- Safety: 9.7
- Reliability:
Pros & Cons
- Excellent athletic treating
- Class-leading fuel economy
- Exceptional interior design
- Outstanding crash test results
- Cramped rear seat
- Puny cargo area
Notable for 2017
- No major switches
2017 Mazda CX-3 Specs
Mazda CX-3 Rankings and Research
The two thousand seventeen Mazda CX-3 ranking is based on its score within the Subcompact SUVs category. Presently the Mazda CX-3 has a score of 8.Four out of ten which is based on our evaluation of twenty four lumps of research and data elements using various sources.
Rankings
- # one in Subcompact SUVs
- # eleven in Crossover SUVs
- # six in SUVs with two Rows
Awards
2017 CX-3 Pictures
2017 Mazda CX-3 Review
The Mazda CX-3 is bursting with joy, featuring best-in-class spectacle and sporty treating that more resembles a car than an SUV. It has a comparatively low base price, yet the interior is marked by amazing materials and a wonderful design. The CX-3 comes up brief on rear passenger room and cargo space, however, which detracts from its convenience.
Is the Mazda CX-3 a Good SUV?
The Mazda CX-3 is a fine subcompact SUV, however it does come with a few limitations. Under the safety category, the CX-3 is superb, earning one of the highest safety designations available. It also comes with user-friendly LATCH car-seat hardware that parents will appreciate. The CX-3’s overall build quality is excellent – inwards, you’ll find slew of high-quality materials, which impart an upscale feel. The mechanical components are also stellar. The CX-3’s peppy engine and acute treating produce the dynamic driving practice that Mazdas are known for and that spirited drivers relish.
Should I Buy the Mazda CX-3?
You should buy the Mazda CX-3 if you`re looking for a petite crossover that`s a blast to drive and has an identically satisfying interior. In addition to its excellent safety scores, Mazda offers more advanced driver assistance features than most. You can also pick one up for less than $20,000, which is below the average commencing price for this class. Included features like a 7-inch touch screen, a rearview camera, and voice-activated directives further bolster the CX-3’s value.
It’s this combination of a low price and a healthy list of standard features that helped the CX-3 land on our list of ten top choices for first-time car buyers.
There are a few areas where the CX-3 falls brief. Subcompact SUVs are pretty stingy on interior space, but the CX-3’s is smaller than many others. In the back seat, legroom is decent, but otherwise the area is constricted, and adults will have a hard time getting comfy for more than just a brief journey. The CX-3’s cargo space is similarly undersized. If you frequently pack up the back seat or the cargo area, you’ll be more content with a roomier model, like the Honda HR-V.
We Did the Research for You: twenty four Chunks of Data Analyzed
Searching for car advice online can quickly lead to a freefall down the rabbit fuckhole. Our comprehensive Mazda CX-3 review puts you back on solid ground and gives you everything you need in one location. We cover spectacle specs, gas mileage, safety ratings, cargo space, and more. The information is gathered and analyzed by our pro automotive team, which has a combined seventy five years of practice to suggest you. And to help you pick just the right fresh car, we include side-by-side comparisons with some of the CX-3’s top competitors.
The CX-3 was an all-new model for two thousand sixteen and carries over unchanged for 2017. As a result, this overview uses applicable research and reviews from the two thousand sixteen and two thousand seventeen model years.
Why You Can Trust Us
When sorting through the myriad of online car reviews, it can be hard to tell the difference inbetween the unbiased automotive experts and the mad hatters. At U.S. News & World Report, we take impartiality earnestly, which is why we don’t accept expensive gifts or trips from car companies. Our company has been in business for eighty four years, and the automotive team has been ranking and reviewing cars for almost a decade. Each one of those years we’ve been working to earn your trust by delivering accurate, balanced information.
How Much Does the Mazda CX-3 Cost?
The two thousand seventeen Mazda CX-3 starts at $Nineteen,960. That’s slightly below the average $20,349 price for a fresh subcompact SUV. There are three different CX-3 configurations (Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring), with CX-3 prices topping out at $26,240. A few other crossovers are less expensive – including the thrifty Jeep Renegade ($17,995) – but the CX-3’s sturdy list of standard features boosts its value among the competition. These included amenities, along with the CX-3’s excellent safety and spectacle scores, earned this Mazda a place in our list of the top-ranked cars to buy for 2017.
Check out our U.S. News Best Price Program for fine savings at your local Mazda dealer. You can also find excellent manufacturer incentives on our Mazda deals page.
Mazda CX-3 Versus the Competition
Which Is Better: Mazda CX-3 or Honda HR-V?
The Honda HR-V and the Mazda CX-3 earn top catches sight of in our rankings of the best subcompact SUVs for very different reasons. The Honda has a more convenient, spacious interior. Rear-seat passengers will especially be appreciative of the HR-V’s roomier seats, which include Four.Three extra inches of legroom. The HR-V has almost twice as much cargo space, suggesting 24.Three cubic feet of space behind the rear seat to the Mazda’s 12.Four. If these areas are occupied more often than not, you’ll find the HR-V to be far more convenient than the CX-3.
Behind the wheel, the CX-3 is much more invigorating than the underpowered HR-V, making it the effortless pick for those looking to spice up their commute. The CX-3 also outperforms the HR-V in crash tests, earning a Top Safety Pick+ label in the process. If the smaller cargo area and back seat aren`t an issue, the CX-3’s significantly higher safety score is a tiebreaker.
Which Is Better: Mazda CX-3 or Mazda CX-5?
The Mazda CX-5 is a compact SUV that is more spacious inwards than the CX-3. It conveniently accommodates two adult-size (or three smaller) passengers in the back seat during a utter day of travel, with extra side-to-side real estate and four more inches of legroom than the CX-3. Behind the rear seat, the CX-5’s 34.1 cubic feet of cargo space dwarfs the CX-3’s 12.4-cubic-foot cargo hold.
Beyond interior dimensions, the CX-3 and CX-5 are evenly matched in many ways. The two thousand seventeen CX-3 and two thousand sixteen CX-5 are both Top Safety Pick+ models (however the CX-3 does better overall in crash tests). Outstanding fuel economy, agile treating, and peppy engines are also among the collective features.
When determining inbetween these two Mazdas, ask yourself if the CX-5’s larger back seat and cargo hold are worth the extra $1,800 you’ll spend. If not, you can save money with the smaller CX-3 instead. We walk through more details on how these two models compare in, Mazda CX-3 vs. CX-5: Worth the Upgrade?
CX-3 Interior
How Many People Does the CX-3 Seat?
The CX-3 can fit five people, and comes with two rows of seats. Cloth seating is standard, but two optional trim levels add either leatherette side bolsters or seats with real leather sides and suede cushions.
If you plan to engage in upbeat driving, you`ll appreciate that the front seats provide stable support from all angles. For most situations, like brief cruises or long highway trips, the seats are comfy and welcoming. Front-seat occupants will also have slew of space. In contrast to the front seats, the 2nd row is much more cramped. Adults can fit back there in a pinch, but they very likely won`t want to stay there for long. Most passengers will likely want more head- and legroom.
CX-3 and Car Seats
The CX-3`s LATCH car-seat system relatively effortless to use. All three top tether anchors are effortless to find and shouldn`t be confused for other hardware. The lower anchors are a little deep in the seat, but once you find them, it`s effortless to fasten the straps.
CX-3 Interior Quality
The Mazda CX-3’s interior design leans toward ordinary and modern. Paired with materials that feel more expensive than what the CX-3’s price point suggests, the end result is a sleek, upscale cabin. This is especially evident in the higher Touring and Grand Touring trims, which are decked out with synthetic or genuine leather seat trim (the latter trim gets the real thing), as well as an abundance of soft-touch surfaces.
CX-3 Cargo Space
Cargo space is limited in the back of the CX-3. You`ll get only 12.Four cubic feet of room with all the seats up, tho’ that expands to 44.Five cubic feet with the back seats folded down. A high trunk floor can also make strenuous items hard to flow – that is, if you can fit them. The Honda HR-V dwarfs the CX-3 and other rivals in the class when it comes to cargo volume, with 24.Trio cubic feet with the seats up and 58.8 with them down.
CX-3 Infotainment, Bluetooth, and Navigation
The CX-3 comes standard with cool features like a rearview camera, voice-activated instructions, and an infotainment system with a 7-inch touch screen. A physical knob on the center console also controls functions. The system is generally effortless to use, but common tasks like switching a radio station are more involved than they should be and require several steps.
CX-3 Spectacle
CX-3 Engine: Just Enough Engine
The only powertrain in the CX-3 is a Two.0-liter four-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. This combination provides good power for brief trips around town. The CX-3 has strong acceleration from a standstill, can get up to highway speeds fairly quickly, and shouldn`t have much trouble passing others on the freeway.
CX-3 Gas Mileage: Exemplary Fuel Economy
The CX-3 produces excellent fuel economy for the class, with a rating of twenty nine mpg in the city and thirty four mpg on the highway. With the available all-wheel drive, your mileage estimates drop to twenty seven mpg in the city and thirty two mpg on the highway.
CX-3 Rail and Treating: Classic Mazda Practice
No other car in the class can match the CX-3`s overall spectacle. It starts with invigorating treating that makes the CX-3 joy to drive, a hallmark characteristic of the Mazda brand. You might find yourself seeking out twisty roads to truly put the car to the test. Steering is precise and provides awesome feedback from the road.
For all of its sporty prowess, the CX-3 has a composed side as well. It stays stable and planted through forms and exhibits no excessive figure roll. You`ll appreciate the CX-3`s convenient rail quality, which can absorb jarring bumps from rough roads.
CX-3 Dimensions and Weight
The two thousand seventeen CX-3 is 168.Three inches long, which is a smidge over fourteen feet. It has a 101.2-inch wheelbase, and it`s Sixty-nine.6 inches broad. That means the CX-3 measures just a touch smaller than the Honda HR-V, with treating and parking benefiting from its trimmer size. The CX-3 stands 60.7 inches high and has a 6.1-inch ground clearance. Curb weight for the CX-3 is Two,809 pounds.
CX-3 Towing Capacity
The CX-3, along with most subcompact SUVs, is truly too much of a featherweight to manage any amount of towing. Its big brother, the Mazda CX-5, has a towing capacity of Two,000 pounds, which is enough to haul petite trailers. If you’re looking for a puny SUV for very light towing, consider a CX-5 or similar compact SUV. Go for a midsize SUV for enhanced towing capacity.
CX-3 Reliability
Is the Mazda CX-3 Reliable?
The Mazda CX-3 has average reliability with a three out of five rating from J.D. Power. Very few subcompact SUVs do well in this category. Only a few receive above-average scores, including the Buick Encore and the Mini Cooper Countryman.
Mazda CX-3 Warranty
The two thousand seventeen Mazda CX-3 is covered by a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.
CX-3 Safety
CX-3 Crash Test Results
The two thousand seventeen Mazda CX-3 has excellent crash test ratings. It’s one of the thirty eight Top Safety Pick+ cars selected by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, which means it receives the highest score possible in every crash test and provides a Superior level of front crash prevention (with the available Brainy City Brake Support).
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gives the CX-3 a five-star overall crash test rating, with five starlets in frontal and side crash tests and four out of five in rollover testing.
CX-3 Safety Features
A rearview camera is the only standard driver assistance feature in the CX-3. Several rivals also come standard with a rearview camera, but the CX-3 is among the vehicles that suggest the most optional technologies. Features like blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert warn you of unseen obstacles, while adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning help prevent potential accidents. There is also an available head-up display, as well as adaptive headlights that turn with the car and automatically control the high rafters.
One of the standout available features is forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking. It comes as part of the i-Activsense package, a $1,170 option for the CX-3 Grand Touring. The IIHS notes that with this system, the CX-3 offers a Superior (the highest rating possible) level of front crash prevention. Even however this drives the price of the CX-3 up to $26,160, it’s still one of the cheapest SUVs with automatic braking.
Which Mazda CX-3 Model Is Right for Me?
The two thousand seventeen Mazda CX-3 is available in Sport (base), Touring, and Grand Touring trim levels. All models come with a Two.0-liter four-cylinder engine, a six-speed automatic transmission, and front-wheel drive. You can add all-wheel drive to any trim for $1,250.
At $Nineteen,960, the base CX-3 boasts one of the lowest embarking prices in the subcompact SUV class. It’s also a pretty good value, considering it comes with a 7-inch touch screen, Bluetooth, voice guidelines for the infotainment system, and a rearview camera. For about $500, you can add rear parking sensors, a handy feature that alerts you when something (or someone) is behind the SUV or when you treatment objects like walls or poles when backing up.
Mazda CX-3 Sport
Standard features of the base CX-3 (which is the CX-3 Sport trim) include a six-speaker audio system, Bluetooth, HD Radio, a USB port, an infotainment system with a 7-inch touch-screen display, voice-command activation, push-button commence, and a rearview camera. All options for the base trim are a la carte and include rear parking sensors ($495) and remote ignition managed by a smartphone app ($550).
Mazda CX-3 Touring
The Touring trim starts at $21,960 and adds convenience and convenience amenities like leatherette-trimmed seats, heated front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, proximity key entry, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross traffic alert. An optional Premium package costs $1,410 and includes a moonroof, satellite radio, and a Bose seven-speaker sound system.
Mazda CX-3 Grand Touring
For $24,990, you can get the top Grand Touring trim, which includes auto-leveling and adaptive LED headlights, a moonroof, leather and suede seats, automatic climate control, spanking paddle shifters, a Bose seven-speaker sound system, satellite radio, navigation, and a head-up display. A suite of driver assistance and advanced safety technologies constitute the i-Activsense package for $1,170. These features include adaptive cruise control, low-speed automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and automatic high bars that switch off when near another vehicle or in more brightly lit areas.
Check out our U.S. News Best Price Program for fine savings at your local Mazda dealer. You can also find excellent manufacturer incentives on our Mazda deals page.
The Final Call
The two thousand seventeen Mazda CX-3 is an ideal subcompact SUV for commuters looking for a upbeat, safe, economical rail. Joy is valued over practicality, as illustrated by the CX-3`s agile treating but cramped rear quarters. That said, if you don’t geyser up the back seat or cargo area often, then these are compromises you’ll infrequently complain about. If the CX-3 is too petite to be convenient, its big brother, the Mazda CX-5, and the similarly priced Honda HR-V are excellent alternatives to consider.
Don`t just take our word for it. Check out comments from some of the reviews that drive our rankings and analysis.
- “Many compact crossover SUVs aren’t so ‘compact` anymore. But the petite two thousand seventeen Mazda CX-3 might be just what you’re after. It’s stylish, effortless to park and joy to drive. If interior space isn’t a priority, this could be your ideal crossover.” — Edmunds
- “The subcompact-crossover segment is erupting like an overdue volcano–witness the fresh Chevy Trax, Fiat 500X, and Honda HR-V joining other wee hatchbacks on stilts, such as the Buick Encore, Jeep Renegade, Kia Soul, Mini Countryman, and Nissan Juke. Now, having spent several hours behind the wheel of Mazda’s fresh CX-3, we think it just may be the most compelling of the bunch.” — Car and Driver (2016)
- “After a few hours behind the wheel, we were fairly amazed with the two thousand sixteen Mazda CX-3. It’s yet another attractive, fun-to-drive, sophisticated car from Mazda. But then we realized something: Mazda already sells a superb petite hatchback. It’s called the Mazda3. As we thought more about the fresh CX-3, we struggled to see any tangible benefits of stepping up to this crossover, other than the availability of all-wheel drive.” — Automobile Magazine (2016)