2019 Mazda CX-3 Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

byMark TakahashiCorrespondent

　　Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the zzdcar YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.

　　

What's new

Mild styling updatesSlightly more powerful engineA center armrest and bin are now standardAdvanced safety features are available across all trimsPart of the first CX-3 generation introduced for 2016

　　Admittedly, we have somewhat low expectations for the subcompact crossover class. For the most part, this new segment is associated with awkward styling and lukewarm performance. Yet the 2019 Mazda CX-3 is a standout for its evocative exterior design and sporty driving dynamics. Holding it back, however, is its relatively small backseat accommodations and limited cargo capacity.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2019 Mazda CX-3 Sport 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$122/mo  for CX-3 Sport

　　CX-3 Sport

　　Sport 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 6A) - $20,390 MSRPSport 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl 6A) (Most Popular) - $21,790 MSRPTouring 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 6A) - $22,475 MSRPTouring 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl 6A) - $23,875 MSRPGrand Touring 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 6A) - $25,745 MSRPGrand Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl 6A) - $27,145 MSRP

　　vs

　　$166/mo

　　Avg. Compact SUV

　　For the 2019 model year, the CX-3 gets a minor refreshening that adds a center armrest bin and electronic parking brake that result in more space for your personal items. There's also a slight increase in power, and Mazda claims to have reduced noise and vibrations, too. Combined with strong fuel economy numbers and a comprehensive list of available advanced safety features, the 2019 Mazda CX-3 deserves your consideration in an ever-growing class.

　　Notably, we picked the 2019 Mazda CX-3 as one of zzdcar' Best Small SUVs for this year.

　　

zzdcar' Expert Rating

7.6 / 10

　　We're fans of the Mazda CX-3 for its engaging performance and sharp styling. Its comparable lack of rear-seat and cargo space could be a concern for some, though. A slight update for 2019 adds some interior storage and promises a quieter and calmer cabin.

　　

Trim tested

　　Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the Mazda CX-3 Grand Touring (2.0L inline-4 | 6-speed automatic | FWD).

　　

Scorecard

Overall	7.6 / 10
Driving	7.5
Comfort	8.0
Interior	8.5
Utility	6.5
Technology	7.0

　　

Driving

7.5

　　No one expects a small, entry-level crossover to be a performance machine, but Mazda has imbued the CX-3 with exceptionally sharp steering and a nice balance of attributes. Only its too-tall gearing and meek tires prevent a more engaging drive.

　　

Acceleration

7.5

　　Power is more than adequate for typical city driving, and the CX-3 has no issues merging with highway traffic. But passing on the highway, or even maintaining speed on longer uphill grades, requires near maximum throttle.

　　

Braking

7.5

　　The brakes are smooth around town, and the pedal is easy to modulate for harder stops. Panic stops during testing revealed a very noisy anti-lock braking system. Braking distance from 60 mph was 127 feet, which is on par for the class.

　　

Steering

9.5

　　The CX-3 has nearly ideal steering. It's well-weighted and direct. Steering effort builds just off-center and gets incrementally weightier as the steering angle increases, but it's still manageable at slow speeds. The steering wheel rim is nicely contoured, too.

　　

Handling

8.0

　　Mazda's compact crossover is agile and communicative. Turn-in is crisp and accurate, and the CX-3 is easy to guide around turns. But the tires protest audibly even at very modest speeds, putting a damper on how much fun you could have on a deserted winding road.

　　

Drivability

6.5

　　The tall gearing in the six-speed transmission isn't well aligned with the mild power output from this engine, which is especially obvious when attempting to pass at highway speeds. There's a Sport mode rocker switch to sharpen throttle response, and the paddle shifters are a welcome touch.

　　

Comfort

8.0

　　The CX-3 has a comfortable and stylish cabin — for front passengers, anyway. Its best-in-class ride is countered by an abundance of engine and road noise, but neither of those factors is enough to be a deal-breaker. Cramped rear passengers might throw in the towel after 30 minutes.

　　

Seat comfort

7.0

　　Most people will find the front seats of the CX-3 agreeable and comfortable, though the seats come up a bit short on thigh and back support for larger-framed folks. The CX-3's compact footprint hurts rear-seat legroom.

　　

Ride comfort

9.0

　　The Mazda really distinguishes itself in the class in ride comfort. The suspension tuning is firm but compliant. Body control is excellent for the class, and everything from speed bumps to high-speed freeway dips are smoothed out beautifully. Likewise, broken pavement doesn't really faze this Mazda.

　　

Noise & vibration

6.5

　　Wind noise isolation is good, even at elevated speeds, but imperfect roads introduce a fair amount of road noise into the cabin. But even that pales next to the racket the engine makes under hard acceleration. Vibrations are minimal, even over broken pavement.

　　

Climate control

7.5

　　Climate control systems don't get much more clear than this, with three easy-to-turn knobs and no digital interface to go through. Cabin temperatures are well regulated. Airflow for the passenger is good, but the driver's vents aren't adjustable enough — they blow air mainly on the driver's hands.

　　

Interior

8.5

　　From an excellent driving position to good visibility and simple controls, nearly everything a driver wants is readily at hand in the CX-3. The tight rear seat is one of the cabin's few weak points.

　　

Ease of use

9.0

　　A clean and minimalistic approach puts all controls within the driver's reach. The center display has touchscreen ability and doesn't wash out in sunlight. You can also control the screen with an easy-to-use knob near the shifter.

　　

Getting in/getting out

7.5

　　Most people will find it easy to step into the CX-3 because it sits higher than a sedan of the same size. Its front doors are short but open wide, allowing easy access even in tight parking spots. Rear passengers, especially adults, will have a more difficult experience due to limited legroom.

　　

Driving position

9.0

　　Finding an agreeable driving position is quick and easy thanks to a tilt-and-telescoping wheel and a fairly adjustable seat. The controls all fall readily to hand. It's clear Mazda has made driving the No. 1 priority.

　　

Roominess

7.5

　　Front passengers enjoy a relatively spacious interior, with ample shoulder room and legroom as well as room around the driver's hands. Adults seated in the rear have fairly tight legroom, especially if the front passengers are tall. Children should have enough room back there, though.

　　

Visibility

8.0

　　Thanks to a low hood and thin roof pillars, visibility is generous when looking forward. The short overall length of the CX-3 means the passenger seat can obstruct over-the-shoulder visibility, but the outside mirrors are correctly sized. Rear visibility is adequate.

　　

Quality

9.0

　　Inside and out, the CX-3 has good, consistent panel gaps. Our test CX-3 was essentially rattle-free. Mazda's generous use of simulated suede and high-quality leather on most of its touch points is uncommon among subcompact SUVs. It's easily the most premium-feeling vehicle in the class.

　　

Utility

6.5

　　The smaller the vehicle, the less space it will inherently have. But the CX-3's stylish short rear overhang sacrifices already precious cargo room. This could turn off buyers who are looking for more practicality. Interior storage is mediocre.

　　

Small-item storage

6.5

　　Front passengers get bins in the center console that can double as cupholders but not as very good ones — cans and bottles rattle about constantly. There's a tray for cellphone storage but it's frustratingly small. Rear passengers get small door pockets.

　　

Cargo space

6.0

　　Trunk space is a bit on the tight side, even for this class of vehicle. That said, folding the rear seats from the trunk is easy to do since the latch on the seatback is within arm's length. The rear seats don't fold completely flat.

　　

Child safety seat accommodation

7.0

　　LATCH anchors are visible and easy to access. Larger child seats might require that the front seats slide forward a bit to fit, but access through the rear doors is good for installation and removal.

　　

Technology

7.0

　　With its intuitive and flexible infotainment interface, along with many driver assistance features, the CX-3 should have great scores. But a lack of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility and low-power USB ports are a bit of a turnoff.

　　

Audio & navigation

8.0

　　The infotainment system is easy to use overall, though some virtual-button iconography is hard to decipher. The navigation system predicts inputs so users don't have to enter the entire address. Destination entry is disabled while moving.

　　

Smartphone integration

5.5

　　Neither Apple CarPlay nor Android Auto is supported — one of the last areas where Mazda lags some competitors. Connecting to Bluetooth is consistent but takes longer than expected. The USB ports are low-power and barely charge a modern phone.

　　

Driver aids

7.0

　　Adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and a collision mitigation braking system are all standard on the Grand Touring trim. Street sign recognition can be added with the Premium package. We found the blind-spot monitoring system to be a bit overreactive.

　　

Voice control

8.0

　　The voice control system seems to be totally based around natural speech recognition. It's fairly good at destination entry, making calls and tuning to terrestrial radio stations or Bluetooth audio.

　　

Which CX-3 does zzdcar recommend?

　　Now that advanced safety features are available throughout the CX-3 lineup, the base Sport trim will likely satisfy most shoppers. Previously, these items were only offered with the top Grand Touring trim. The Touring trim represents a pleasant middle ground with its added convenience features such as keyless ignition and heated front seats, but the price increase compared to the Sport is significant.

　　

2019 Mazda CX-3 models

　　The five-passenger 2019 Mazda CX-3 is offered in three trim levels: Sport, Touring and Grand Touring. All models are powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (148 horsepower, 146 pound-feet of torque) that is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is available on all trims.

　　Standard features for the base Sport trim include 16-inch alloy wheels, a roof spoiler, remote keyless entry, cruise control, a six-way manually adjustable driver's seat, 60/40-split folding rear seats, automatic emergency telematics, a 7-inch touchscreen, the Mazda Connect infotainment system, a rearview camera, Bluetooth, two USB ports, and a six-speaker audio system with internet streaming radio apps. Advanced safety features include frontal collision warning with automatic braking (below 19 mph), blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

　　The Touring trim adds 18-inch wheels, heated mirrors, automatic headlights, automatic wipers, piano black exterior trim, keyless entry and ignition, automatic climate control, simulated leather and cloth upholstery, heated front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and an overhead console with sunglasses holder.

　　The range-topping Grand Touring trim tops it off with adaptive headlights, a sunroof, LED exterior lighting, chrome exterior trim, paddle shifters, a head-up display, full leather upholstery, a cargo cover, a navigation system, and a seven-speaker Bose premium audio system with satellite and HD radio. Advanced safety features include adaptive cruise control with full-speed range, forward collision mitigation with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning and automatic high beams.

　　All of the safety features are available as options on supporting trims, as are some other items. Available on the Grand Touring trim only is the Premium package that adds a power-adjustable driver's seat with lumbar support, driver-seat memory functions, a heated steering wheel, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a traffic sign reader.

　　

2019 CX-3 Highlights

Trim: SportTouringGrand TouringSport

　　

Base MSRP	$20,390
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	31 MPG
Cost to Drive	$122/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	12.4 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles