Since its humble beginnings in 1920, Mazda has come a long way from being just another carmaker in Japan to scoring a worldwide customer base. The Japanese carmaker has always ensured optimum quality across its vast range of cars. The auto giant has its wings spread wide and manufactures four-wheelers ranging from hatchbacks to SUVs, sedans, and even crossovers. These cars come in various fuel options such as diesel, petrol, electric, and even hybrid. Mazda covers most car classes under the personal-type range while still managing to ensure superior performance and a quality experience across them all.
One of Mazda’s latest releases, the CX-3, is a gorgeous crossover SUV and has stolen the hearts of many around the globe because of its fantastic design. The car not only looks good but is a solid performer too and bears a reasonable price tag.
A Smart And Solid Powertrain
The CX-3’s drivetrain is nothing less than a piece of art. The complex mechanism works by employing various small and significant parts that work in tandem to deliver high and efficient power output. A considerable part of this can be attributed to the build quality of the design, which is enhanced by Mazda's patented SkyActiv technology. This ingenious mechanism allows the car to perform exceptionally well while also maintaining an efficient fuel economy. This is achieved by compressing a near-perfect air-to-fuel ratio in the engine to make the most of each drop of liquid fuel.
The car comes in two fuel variants. The petrol version runs on a 1.5-liter DOHC inline-4 engine, while the diesel alternative has a 2-liter DPTS powerhouse. Both these powertrains deliver roughly the same output of 148 HP at 6,000 RPM and maximum torque of 146 ft-lbs. Both the front-wheel and all-wheel-drive variants have a 6-speed automatic transmission that works together with the SkyActiv system to provide smoother and quicker acceleration.
The Mazda CX-3’s innovative powertrain enables it to have a maximum speed of 120 MPH and a 0 to 60 MPH acceleration time of just 8.1 seconds. Even at such high power outputs, the fuel consumption stays at a reasonably low 27 MPG as combined mileage. This allows the car to have a range of 350 miles on a small 45-liter fuel tank.
The Generously Spacious Design
The design of its cars is something that Mazda takes quite seriously. The immense research and testing of the engineers at Mazda are visible in the CX-3’s light and robust build.
With some stylish lines and bold curves, this SUV looks fabulous. However, beauty isn’t the only thing that the design team has focussed on. A robust body that complements the powerful engine and boosts its output was always at the center of Mazda’s ideation. The body of the CX-3, like most cars made by the Japanese company, is made of aluminum, with essential parts being carved out of ultra-high tensile strength steel. This design choice surprisingly achieves the otherwise contradictory goals of being nimble at low speeds and stable at high speeds.
Comfort and control were also of prime focus while building this spacious 5-seater. The steering and stability of Mazda cars is something to discuss as Mazda promises the fastest drivetrain response time to ensure precise movement even on the trickiest of roads. Another unique feature is the G-Vectoring technology that makes the ride easier and less tiring for the driver. The car achieves this by intelligent load control and computer-controlled suspension tightening, which generally makes maneuvering an easy task for the driver.
The interiors of the car are crafted to keep the passengers relaxed while sitting in the car. Mazda claims that once a person is inside the cabin of the CX-3, they would feel the real spirit of a Mazda automobile.
The Advanced Safety And Entertainment Tech
The CX-3 scored a five-star rating from the NHTSA and received a ‘Top Safety Pick’ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The crossover comes with the standard automated emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Mazda’s arsenal of more advanced driver-assistance tech is the icing on the cake and is presented in all models. This includes dual-stage seat-mounted side airbags and curtain 1st and 2nd-row airbags, among other preemptive safety measures like a rear-collision warning and a backup camera.
All CX-3s are equipped with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system placed on top of the contoured dash. A rotary-knob controller is placed on the center console to eliminate the need for the driver to reach forward to operate the system while driving. An LED HUD is concealed in the instrument panel that provides information such as speed and navigation when ejected.
With all the advanced features and pieces of technology, the CX-3 is priced at an unbelievable $22,000, which is quite reasonable compared to other crossover SUVs in the segment. The Mazda CX-3 is genuinely a piece of art and is now becoming a standard of quality in the industry.