Mazda CX-3 2015 Review

It made its word debut just a few weeks ago in the US and is still more than three months away from our roads, but Mazda is so keen on its first compact SUV that it shipped two Oz-spec pre-production prototype CX-3s – as well as the car's chief engineer and designer – Down Under for this world-first media drive. A handful of laps at the Anglesea proving ground aren't enough to pass definitive judgement on the newest member of the nation's fastest growing vehicle segment, but they are enough to show Mazda's all-new baby SUV offers just the right combination of size, style, performance, dynamics, efficiency and model variants to be a big hit in Australia. It's not perfect and pricing will be key, but there's nothing likely to prevent an influx of CX-3s in your neighbourhood soon.

When the CX-3 arrives in Australian showrooms around March, it will be offered with the largest range of powertrain options and equipment grades yet seen in the compact SUV sector.

Unlike the 1.5-litre petrol-only Mazda2 hatchback on which it's based, the CX-3 will be available with two four-cylinder engines -- a larger 2.0-litre petrol and Mazda Australia's first 1.5-litre turbo-diesel – matched to both six-speed manual and automatic transmissions in either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive configuration.

As well, there'll be at least three different equipment grades (although not all powertrain options will be offered across all of them), with top-shelf models brandishing even more luxury-car safety features than the flagship Mazda2 -- the first in its class to come with a head-up display -- including blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

Like the Mazda2, all CX-3s should be available with Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) low-speed (4-30km/h) autonomous emergency braking for an affordable $400, but it remains to be seen if Mazda Australia offers other advanced driver aids like lane departure warning, radar cruise control and automatic high-beam.

Naturally, electronic stability control, anti-lock brakes, emergency stop signal, hill launch assist and twin front, front-side and curtain airbags are standard across the range.

Sadly however, if the Mazda2 is any guide, the Japanese brand's intuitive MZD Connect system – comprising classy 7.0-inch colour touch-screen, centre console controller, satellite-navigation and reversing camera – will not be available in entry-level CX-3s.

That means that, as with the base 2, a rear-view camera could be a $200 mirror-integrated accessory option, while parking sensors and a centre armrest could also be dealer-fit options.

Given its price premium over the Mazda2 though, with a price range of somewhere between $20,000 and $30,000, all CX-3s will be better specified than their equivalent hatch variant, meaning alloy wheels and cruise control could be standard at base level.

But every CX-3 will definitely come with push-button starting, air-conditioning, trip computer, tilting/telescoping steering wheel, power windows/mirrors, driver's seat height adjustment, black/blue seat trim, a 60/40-split rear seatback and a four-speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3 sound system with steering wheel controls, USB/3.5mm audio input and Bluetooth audio and phone connectivity.

The most expensive CX-3, which could be called the Genki, will come fully loaded with bigger alloys, fog lights, chromed exhaust outlet, climate-control, automatic headlights and wipers, black seat trim and soft-touch black with red stitching for the centre console, front door armrest and dash panels.

Indeed, interior quality and craftsmanship is a highlight of the CX-3, which comes with the same dashboard as the Mazda2 and also features soft-touch surfaces everywhere but on the door sills, plus classy matte-black centre console complemented by high-gloss air-vent surrounds.

Seating is marginally higher than in the Mazda2, which rides on the same 2570mm wheelbase and offers the same tight 10.8-metre turning circle, but the CX-5 is longer (4275mm), wider (1765mm) and taller (1550mm) overall.

But just as the 2's 250-litre boot capacity is small for its class, so too is the CX-3's 264-litre cargo space (VDA), which is just 14 litres larger and about 100 litres short of the space delivered by popular small SUVs like the Holden Trax.

Mazda says a pram fits in the boot of the CX-3, which is directed primarily at young families, and that its cargo capacity increases substantially with the 60/40-split rear seats folded, but clearly it has opted for form over function with an extremely short rear overhang and heavily raked rear window looking the business but robbing boot space.

The only other major gripe we have – once again in common with the Mazda2 – is excessive cabin noise, both from the road and engine bay.

We drove two Australian-spec automatic models – a mid-grade front-drive petrol and a high-grade AWD diesel – and both vehicles presented plenty of engine and tyres noise on the coarse-chip surfaces at Anglesea.

For a diesel, the 1.5-litre oil-burner delivered a broad spread of useable power all the way to 5500rpm, but with 77kW of power at a fairly high 4000rpm and 270Nm of torque over 1600-2500rpm, it always sounded and felt more strained than the perkier petrol engine, which with 109kW and 192Nm is essentially a detuned version of the base Mazda3 engine.

Apart from an even wider (6500rpm) rev range, it offered more response and acceleration in any given gear, and also felt less nose-heavy in corners. Both engine variants offered superb ride quality, and road holding from the torsion-beam rear-end was solid in both vehicles.

Steering is as per the slick Mazda2 too – accurate, responsive and communicative -- although there's slightly more initial body roll on turn-in than in the lower-riding Mazda2.

Of course the CX-3 is heavier than the 2 (Mazda won't say by how much yet), but with diesel power and a bigger petrol four this wagon doesn't feel any slower.

Unsurprisingly, petrol consumption is higher – but not by much, with Mazda claiming the petrol CX-3 will consume less than 6.5L/100km, while the diesel will drink even less than the most efficient Mazda2 (4.9L/100km), which will make it the most efficient Mazda ever.

Bet you're not surprised this group of lead-footed journalists recorded nothing like those figures at Anglesea, where I saw more than 9.0L/100km in the diesel and 12.0L/100km in the petrol.

Notwithstanding its small boot and noisy cabin, we expect the CX-3's winning style, performance, dynamics and efficiency to be a smash-hit with SUV-mad Australians. No, even in the face of 18 current rivals and up to eight new competitors next year, we see no reason why the CX-3 won't become Australia's top-selling small SUV.

In fact, the only problems Mazda Australia might face are lost sales of the Mazda2 and 3, and a lack of CX-3 supplies.

2015 Mazda CX-3 pricing and specifications:
Price: $21,990-$31,990 (estimated)
Engine: Four-cylinder 1.5-litre turbo-diesel; 2.0-litre petrol
Output: 77kW/270Nm; 109kW/192Nm
Transmission: Six-speed manual and automatic
Fuel: Under 5.0L/100km; Under 6.5L/100km
Safety rating: Not yet tested
On sale: March 2015

What we liked:
>> Sleek design
>> Ride/handling
>> Efficient powertrains

Not so much:
>> Noisy cabin
>> Lack of cargo space
>> No standard reversing camera

Also consider:
Subaru XV
Holden Trax
Ford EcoSport