Carbuyer Magazine – August 2019

THE CX-3is acompact SUVbased on theMazda2supermini,butit

offersahigher seatingpositionto go with runningcostsassociated

with smallercars. Itreceivedalightfaceliftduring2018,withchanges

under the metal, mostly aimed atmakingthecarbetterto drive.

Compact SUVsaren’t alwaysthe most engagingtodrive,but

the CX-3is anexception.Mazdaincludesits ‘G-Vectoring’handling

technology, whichpromisestoboost agility,aswellasreducing

the needto makeminorcorrectionsasyou driveonthe motorway.

A2.0-litrepetrol engine soundsbig forasmallvehicle suchasthe

CX-3,butthe 118bhpversionis efficient.The 1.8 dieselmanagesto

perform even better.Naturally,four-wheel driveharms economy,

especiallyasthoseversionsonlycomewith the morepowerful petrol

engine, sosticktoatwo-wheel drivemanual model ifyoucan.

The CX-3 looksexpensivecomparedto some rivals,butitclaws back

groundwith agood amount ofstandardkit.It’sreasonably practical,too,

with decentstorageandreasonable rear legroom,buttallerpassengers

might find headroom tight.There’s alsoawellshaped 350-litreboot.

On thesafety front, the CX-3’sfour-star EuroNCAPratingdoesn’t

look reassuring,butthetesthadjustbeenmade morestringent,

and autonomousemergency brakingisonSE-LNav trim upwards.

“The CX-3 crossover isastylish,

morepractical alternativeto models like

the Nissan Jukethat’s alsofuntodrive”

Mazda CX-3

Upmarket interior,good

to drive, sharpstyling

Expensive, limited engine

range, not the mostspacious

Da

ta

Sheet

Engines:2.0petrol,1.8diesel

Trim levels:SE Nav+, SE-L Nav+,

SportNav+,GT SportNav+

Economy:35-5 4mpgRoad tax:£145

0-62:8.8-9.9sEuro NCAP:★★★★★★★★

Price £19, 395 -£25,395

Ourpick

2.0Skyactiv G

121PSSE-LNav+

£20,795

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