Mazda CX-3 safer, more refined

Mazda has introduced a revised CX-3 range for 2017, with even the entry-level Neo variant gaining autonomous emergency braking and G-Vectoring Control. The AEB system, which Mazda names Smart City Brake Support, also operates when the car is reversing.

CX-3 now joins most of Mazda's passenger cars – even the tiny Mazda2 – and the other SUVs in its range by offering the life-saving technology to buyers at every price point.

Models other than the Neo – the CX-3 Maxx, sTouring and Akari petrol – pick up Blind Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. High-grade sTouring and Akari variants now come with Driver Attention Alert and Traffic Sign Recognition. Finally, adaptive LED headlights and front parking sensors are now standard for the Akari petrol flagship model.

"It is obvious that safety technology is important to new car buyers, so we made the decision to respond to this and offer Smart City Brake Support – and other i-ACTIVSENSE safety technologies – as standard equipment," says Mazda Australia marketing director, Alastair Doak.

"Beginning with the passenger and SUV flagships, the Mazda6 and the Mazda CX-9, we have been committed to including these technologies as standard on their smaller siblings.

"Now available on new Mazda2 and new Mazda CX-3, these vehicles are now the class leaders in their respective sales segments.

"The feedback we've had from buyers has been very positive, so it was definitely the right move."

Minor technical fixes
In addition to the new safety features, the CX-3 has undergone some tweaking for better ride properties, faster steering response and smoother acceleration from the 1.5-litre diesel engine.

Spring and damper rates are new and the CX-3 adopts different bushings for the MacPherson strut lower control arms at the front and the torsion beam at the rear (for both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive models). According to Mazda, the bushings at the rear absorb longitudinal shocks better than before – and this helps ride comfort.

Changes to the electrically-assisted steering enhance straight-line stability and turn-in. The adoption of G-Vectoring Control provides what Mazda says is a unified means of regulating longitudinal and lateral g-forces affecting the car's dynamics. Minoru Takata, Mazda's project manager for CX-3, says that the small SUV now approaches an ideal situation, in which roll and turn-in are coordinated, with the nose pitching forward at around the same time as the car begins to change direction.

Smoother, linear acceleration results from 'High-Precision DE Control Boost' (Transient boost control) for the diesel variants. Mazda has also dampened diesel knock with its Natural Sound Smoother and Natural Frequency Control. The former comprises a 'dynamic damper pin' – a gudgeon pin that counteracts vibration and was introduced in the updated Mazda6 last year.

A series of measures to counter noise from tyres, wind and drivetrain entering the cabin, include higher levels of insulation for B pillar, C pillar trim, boot side trim, floor mats, tunnel insulator and dash, in addition to other parts of the CX-3.

The inside story
A new steering wheel design and different instrument graphics are the principal identifying features inside the new CX-3. Manual height adjustment is introduced to the range, other than the Akari petrol model, which gains a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat with two-position memory function. The external mirrors of the CX-3 Neo and Maxx are now heated and fold in, but for automatic fold-in buyers must opt for sTouring and Akari trim levels.

Digital radio (DAB+) is standard for all models other than the CX-3 Neo. Mazda's colour Active Driving Display – a flip-up HUD (head-up display) – is standard for the CX-3 Akari.

While the CX-3 Neo rides on 16-inch steel wheels and 215/60 R16 tyres, the CX-3 Maxx is fitted with 16-inch alloys and the same size tyres as the Neo. New gunmetal-finish alloy wheels in 18-inch diameter are standard for the CX-3 sTouring and Akari petrol models, with the tyres measuring 215/50 R18.

Eight colours offered include one new option – Eternal Blue Mica, replacing Deep Crystal Blue. The seven colours carried over are: Ceramic Metallic, Meteor Grey Mica, Soul Red Metallic, Jet Black Mica, Titanium Flash Mica, Snowflake White Pearl Mica and Dynamic Blue Mica. Mazda charges no extra for the premium colours, other than Soul Red ($300 more).

Output and fuel consumption figures for the carry-over engines are 109kW, 192Nm and 6.1L/100km (auto FWD) for the 2.0-litre petrol variants, or 77kW, 270Nm and 4.8L/100km (auto FWD) for the 1.5-litre turbo-diesel. Fuel consumption ranges between 4.4 and 5.7L/100km for the diesels, and the other petrol variants use fuel at the rate of 6.3L/100km for the front-wheel drive manual or 6.7L/100km for the automatic all-wheel drive variants. Both transmissions are six-speed units.

Prices have increased by $500 for the Neo and Maxx variants, and just $200 for the CX-3 Akari. Prices for CX-3 sTouring are unchanged.

Neo petrol manual FWD – $20,490
Neo petrol auto FWD – $22,490
Maxx petrol manual FWD – $22,890
Maxx petrol auto FWD – $24,890
Maxx petrol auto AWD – $26,890
Maxx diesel auto FWD – $27,290
sTouring manual FWD – $26,990
sTouring petrol auto FWD – $28,990
sTouring petrol auto AWD – $30,990
sTouring diesel auto AWD – $33,390
Akari petrol manual FWD – $31,490
Akari petrol auto FWD – $33,490
Akari petrol auto AWD - $35,490
Akari diesel auto AWD – $37,890