2018 Mazda CX-3 Grand Touring FWD

2018 Mazda CX-3 Grand Touring FWD

Test Drive

Written by Marco Carvajal

Photographs by Mazda

The Mazda CX-3 is offering drivers a wonderful subcompact crossover SUV for an affordable low price with several standard features for a lower price than many of its competitors.

The Mazda CX-3 is a subcompact SUV manufactured in Japan. It is based on the same platform as the Mazda2. It was revealed to the public in 2014, and came as a production vehicle of the 2016 model year. By 2018, the Mazda CX-3 includes several updates that improve some of its best features.

The Mazda CX-3 is available in three trim levels:

Sport, Touring and Grand Touring.

Mazda designers have improved and updated the cabin of the CX-3. The 2018 modes comes with updated suspension bushings, new front lower control levers, recalibrated shock absorbers and new engine mounts designed to use in the CX-3, that are already leading in class chassis dynamics.  Improved door seals and sound-absorbing mats.

The six-speed automatic transmission matches very well this two-liter engine.

According to Mazda’s design director Derek Jenkins, the CX-3 developed the Kodo design language, what means smooth, soft, volumetric forms with expressive gaze.

Prices & Versions

Mazda has always being able to create the perfect mix between price and value. The CX-3 continues the brand strategy to sell beautiful cars with a lot of standard features but at a low price. the CX-3 Grand Touring costs only $25K. If you want to pay less, the CX-3 Sport starts at only 20K.

CX-3 Exterior

The CX-3 is a very attractive crossover from any angle you look.

The 2018 Mazda CX-3 Grand Touring is bold, dynamic and full of stylish details.

The look of the CX-3 is enhanced by a long hood with a smooth expressive line flowing to the front wings and running along the sidewall. The huge wheel arches draw attention to the chic 18-inch wheels of the Grand Touring CX-3, and16-inch wheels offered for less expensive trim levels. The glazing of the cabin is minimized, but this did not affect the visibility, it is still at a high level. Such details as LEDs in the head and rear optics give the car charm and aggressiveness.

Exterior Features Included in the CX-3

• Roof-mounted «shark fin» antenna
• LED Daytime Running Lights
• LED headlights with auto leveling
• Auto On/Off headlights
• Adaptive Front-lighting System
• LED fog lights
• LED Combination taillights
• Body-colored power side mirrors with integrated turn signals
• Heated side mirrors
• Body-color door handles
• Silver side body garnish
• Silver front grille garnish
• Rear roofline spoiler
• Rain-sensing variable-intermittent windshield wipers
• Intermittent rear wiper/washer

Wheels & Tires

• Wheel size (in) 18 x 7.0 aluminum alloy
• Wheel size and type P215/50 R18
• Temporary spare tire T125/90 16

Dimensions

• Wheelbase (in) 101.2
• Track, front (in) 60.0
• Track, rear (in) 59.9
• Length, without license plate holder (in) 168.3
• Width (in) 69.6
• Height (in) 60.9
• Minimum Ground Clearance, Laden (in) 6.2

Interior of the CX-3

The CX-3 has neat and ergonomic interior with a nice finish. The GT Premium package on the top of the CX-3, available only for the Grand Touring FWD, includes a cruise control system, a smart Brake for highway speeds, a high beam control and several new features that include a 6-position driver’s seat, position memory for the driver’s seat, heated steering wheel and more.

Comfort & Convenience

• Automatic climate control with pollen filter
• Power windows with driver’s one-touch down/up feature
• Power sliding-glass moonroof with one-touch-open feature and interior sunshade
• Power door locks with 2-stage unlocking
• Push button start
• Cruise control with steering wheel mounted controls
• Front and rear overhead lights
• Rear heater ducts
• Rear window defogger with timer
• Remote fuel door release
• Manual day/night rearview mirror
• Mazda Advanced Keyless Entry System
• Steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters
• Tilt and telescopic steering column
• Dual covered visor vanity mirrors
• 12-volt power outlet

Storage

• Glove compartment
• Overhead console with sunglass holder
• Front cupholders
• Front and rear door bottle holders/storage
• Front passenger seatback pocket
• Cargo area light
• Tonneau cover

Seating & Trim

• 60/40 split fold-down rear seats
• Rear seat headrests
• Lux Suede® door trim with red arm rests
• Red center console knee pads
• Heated front seats (3 levels)
• 6-way manual driver’s seat
• Leather-trimmed sport seats with Lux Suede® inserts
• Leather-wrapped shift knob
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Leather-wrapped parking brake handle
• Carpet floor mats

Audio & Infotainment

• 7″ full-color touch screen display
• Bluetooth19 hands free phone & audio capability
• Bose 7-speaker audio system
• HD Radio
• Mazda Connect Infotainment System3
  – Infotainment system voice command
  – Multifunction Commander Control
  – Radio Broadcast Data System program information
  – Aha™ internet radio integration
  – Pandora internet radio integration
  – Stitcher internet radio integration
  – SMS text message audio delivery and reply
  – E911 automatic emergency notification
• Mazda Navigation System
• SiriusXM Satellite Radio with 4-month trial subscription9
• Auxiliary-audio input jack
• USB audio input
• Steering-wheel-mounted audio, cruise and phone controls

Instrumentation

• Active Driving Display
• Full instrumentation including, tachometer, and fuel level gauge
• Black gauges with white lettering and silver surround
• Ambient temperature & digital clock
• Trip computer

Interior Dimensions & Capacities

• Headroom, front/rear (in) 37.6 / 37.2
• Shoulder room, front/rear (in) 53.5 / 50.4
• Hip room, front/rear (in) 52.3 / 49.0
• Legroom, front/rear (in) 41.7 / 35.0
• Cargo volume – behind rear seats (cu ft) 10.1
• Cargo volume – 2nd-row seats folded (cu ft) 42.3

Conclusion

The Mazda CX-3 is an attractive Japanese subcompact SUV priced low starting at 20K and including several standard features that are usually optional in other cards. The 2018 CX-3 received many updates that improve some of its best features. The CX-3 is available in three trim levels: Sport, Touring and Grand Touring.

Among its competitors we can find the Honda HR-V, Nissan JUKE, Ford Escape, the FIAT 500X, Kia Soul, Jeep Renegade, Toyota C-HR, Nissan Rogue Sport and the Chevrolet Trax.

The Honda HR-V wins with more  interior space. The Kia Soul wins with more features for less money. But the CX-3 wins with sporty handling and beautiful luxury interior. The CX-3 also offers the option of all-wheel drive, something that some of its competitors like the Kia Soul do not include.

Among many interesting features, low-speed automatic emergency braking is standard for all 2018 CX-3s. If you add the additional Preferred Equipment package this also includes automatic emergency braking for high speeds, lane assistance with adaptive cruise control, blind spot warning and a warning about cross traffic from the rear are standard for the Grand Touring trim.

The exterior and interior look of the CX-3 is very beautiful and stylish, especially considering its low price. It is a great SUV offering too much style and value.