Find Reviews by Make:
Mazda’s sub-compact crossover will go head to head with the Nissan Juke, Chevrolet Trax and Honda HR-V when it debuts next year. It might be the best expression of Mazda’s design language so far.
Powered by a 2.0L Skyactiv engine making 155 horsepower, the CX-3 is slated to have an optional AWD system, and a 6-speed automatic online. On the other hand, the automatic is the same excellent unit in other Mazda products, and blends the best attributes of the dual-clutch and traditional automatic gearboxes. Inside, the same excellent HMI Commander from the Mazda3 is used, as well as the instrument cluster and tablet-like LCD screen.
55 Comments on “Los Angeles 2014: Mazda CX-3 Revealed...”
Read all comments
Finally! Thank you, Derek
I like :)
Well, that’s certainly much better looking than the Juke.
Damning with faint praise much?
>>Well, that’s certainly much better looking than the Juke.<<
And the unfortunate-looking Encore.
Except for the front clip, this could easily be a Hyundai. I really just don’t like this sort of car. And 155hp doesn’t sound like enough. The red/white/black interior looks like a running shoe.
I wish Hyundai/Kia made something like this, but they don’t
This car may weigh around 2500 lb & the priority of small cars like this is economy–155 hp should be plenty.
New 2 is about 2250 pounds, so an extra 250 (at least for the FWD version) sounds legit.
And the Crosstrek, which is six inches longer and several hundred pounds more, still sells like hotcakes with only 140HP.
Damn that’s negative. I on the other hand am ecstatic about the new small crossovers. They are the new incarnation of the hatchbacks of our youth, but with way more power, features, room, refinement, and practicality, and AWD!
Also have you driven a Juke? I have, and though the headroom is tight for me, that thing is SPORTY.
I probably would not be seen in the Juke, though I applaud the individualism.
Window tint and a full-face helmet would address that concern.
Bad. Roof too squashed especially in rear. C/D pillar could be a bridge support, stupid little peephole-window worthless. Plus, who buys Mazdas?
You forgot Snoopy-nosed
Not so much here as the hood doesn’t first rise over the wheel well and then drop towards the grille like in the real Snoopsters.
Yeah, not so much smiley-faced either
Yep, I have no problem with the front end of this; it’s the de rigueur denuded roofline and the haunchy hip swelling.
I like the over-sized wheel-wells with the faux-flares to accommodate the giant wheels with the rubber-band tires…
Oh, who am I kidding? It’s no Renegade *sigh*
“It’s no Renegade *sigh*”
Hold that thought. Do not weaken.
Sergio will provide.
I’m Ok with that, but most of the fun for me in getting a new car is shopping for it. Since I’m pretty well decided on the Renegade it doesn’t leave much for me to do, except…
Anticipate all the aftermarket crap I can get for it, Yeh! :) :)
“Plus, who buys Mazdas?”
Uh, our EIC.
Oops, pete forgot the “/sarcasm”
This site has no EIC.
I think he meant this guy over here>>>>>
Whatever Derek is then, jesus.
Such mixed feelings. The grille, hood and roofline are great, and I really like the contrasting C/D pillars. But the wheel arch and rear bumper cladding are nausea inducing. It looks like a parody of CUVs drawn by someone who loves hatchbacks.
I agree…such a different amalgam of styling ideas and a mixed bag result. Maybe the proof is in person as photos don’t always tell the story. The high beltine/relatively low roof line looks almost problematic for headroom. It will be interesting to see the specs especially curb weight compared to the CX-5 for performance and mpg of the 2.0. And no manual? I saw the (U.S.) HR-V on another site, and that looked painfully conservative in comparison, especially the rear liftgate. But I still kinda like the CX-3…
Perhaps Mazda will be on buyers radar now. I like this car, especially that it has the 2.0 motor. It’s competition all make do with smaller motors, 1.4 for the Chevy, 1.5 for the Honda and 1.6 for the Nissan.
So it won’t rate the highest in MPG but it will be the most pleasant to drive and feel the least gutless. Although, I guess, that does depend on how they program the auto box…
Hopefully there is a manual then.
Did the HR-V only get the 1.5? I thought for sure at least the 1.8 Civic engine.
HR-V gets the 1.8 in North America, 1.5 in other markets.
The trans will probably be tuned similar to the mazda3, so good. Unfortunately this also looks to share the Mazda3 hatch’s awful visibility.
It’s the 2016 Toyota Matrix.
The Mazda “Beetle”? Someone else here said that already about the HR-V…I want to give them credit for it.
Now that I have looked again, the roof line reminds me of the Mini Coupe (?) with that “Helmet Head”.
Depending on price, mpg, etc etc, but assuming they get that right I could see this selling very well. Sporty enough for the guys, cute enough for the ladies… Best selling Mazda here??
Mazda has a problem that their smaller, cheaper cars are more popular… Not a recipe for financial health, especially as a small independent.
“Best selling Mazda here??”
Not in the US–not by a long shot. The best I can see this doing is matching the 6’s sales, but it won’t approach 3 or CX-5 volumes.
But for Latin America & Europe? Yes, this could be their best seller.
MAZDA CX-3
FEATURES EXTREMELY LONG DECK
MADE FOR HER PLEASURE
Geez, you’re weird
U dont like haikus?
It’s the creepy phallic references that make you appear weird
I looks good until you get past the B-pillar.
Mazda makes an effort to keep weight down, so 155 hp is probably going to be enough oomph (it would be barely enough in the CX-5).
Derek, see if you can find out how much it weighs.
I like it…but I wouldn’t buy it, or anything like it. I think this well sell for Mazda. Now they need to get the 6 up to speed sales-wise.
Is this merely based on the Mazda2 or has Mazda repurposed languishing stock of Mazda2s into this thing. Because the latter would be more fiscally-responsible.
Platform derivative of the new 2/Demio (not yet sold here).
Existing 2 inventory is being dumped into fleets.
If the 2.0L fits in here, I’m wondering if it will also fit in the 2…
It looks like a junior version of whatever Infiniti is now calling the Vehicle Formerly Known as “FX”, which isn’t a bad thing in my opinion. The resemblance is not a bad thing, the naming convention is abysmal. I like the interior, too. I like what the Mazda Motor Corporation is doing.
My initial reaction is that this looks better than the competition. I really like the contrasting interior color scheme, and the offset middle air vent adds just the right touch of quirkiness that a “fun” car needs. Well done.
That and they re-used most of the interior from the Mazda 2/Demios, including that dash, and the MZD unit (which is now common for 2, 3, 6, CX3 and I’m sure Mx5, CX5 & CX7 soon enough)..
In fact there is lots parts re-use from Mazda 2, headlights/door handles/tailights. I’m impressed because this vehicle looks 80% common parts with the Mazda 2. Which means cheaper parts & less tooling cost. Unlike the Chev Trax/Sonic twins which have managed to not share very much..
It’s the best looking of the current FWD Mazdas, thanks to the lower rear hip point (comparatively). But that front end, as classic as it is, is just too upright and blunt for me to love.
Looks just like a jacked up 3 hatch with cladding and awd.
So the CX-3 looks great, but I would have to see how space is inside compared to the CX-5 before I would buy one. With new unlimited Km’s they have buying a Mazda has never more attractive. But what happens to the Mazda3- 5 door. I can’t see Mazda keeping to hatchbacks, and American hate wagons aren’t CUV’s so I see this last generate 3 hatchback to the last we’ll of the wagon.
The problem with new Mazdas is they all have the same nose. The Mazda 6 nose is merely “too big”. Take that nose and put it on the Mazda 3 (which they did) and it is way way way too big. It is like taking your adult nose off, and putting it on your 11 year old self. It will look huge and silly.
So the nose almost fits the CX5 and 6, and maybe this CX3 (due to the height maybe, need to see it in ‘person’), but it makes the 3 look like an anteater.
This car is not for me, but I think it will be good for Mazda as a company that needs to make money.
Look ma, I saved money on tires by just painting the outermost millimeter of my 24 inchers black instead…….. Makes the handling feel “sportier” as well…….
It looks great – I’m a big fan of the design.
Curious to see what the interior space is like.
It’s probably just me, but I’d like to see this red version with the roof painted black…it would enhance the underlying Alfa SZ vibes I’m picking up.
The undulating beltline, wide haunches, and backwards-baseball-cap roofline kind of ruin it for me. I’d take the Honda HR-V (or possibly the Mazda 2) over this.