2016 Mazda CX-3 Functional and Fun, Review By Larry Nutson

By Larry Nutson
Senior Editor and Bureau Chief
Chicago Bureau
The Auto Channel

Mazda’s all-new compact crossover SUV offering, the CX-3, has been on the market since the middle of last year. The crossover SUV segment is chock full of offerings from many brands and now accounts for about 24% of the new vehicles sold today in the U.S. That’s twice what it was ten years ago.

These compact CUVs offer a nice balance between utility and fuel economy. It once was that low fuel consumption only came in a low cost econobox car. Often these cars were hatchbacks and it’s been said many times over that, generally speaking, Americans don’t like hatchbacks.

Well, I think Americans have come to realize by virtue of their experiences with minivans and larger SUVs that a large opening rear hatch makes a lot of sense. The compact SUV of today offers seating for five, although four might be better for comfort. Efficient yet powerful four-cylinder engines are mated to six speed automatics powering the front wheels. All-wheel drive is offered as an option. With the opening rear hatch it is much easier to load in lots of your stuff compared to squeezing it through a sedan’s typical trunk opening. And, the rear seat folds flat for much more space for that weekend road trip gear.

The cost of ownership can be very pay check friendly often with starting prices under $20,000. Young folks or couples early in their careers or empty-nesters on fixed incomes will find these CUVs much to their liking.

The all-new 2016 Mazda CX-3 is one of those with its starting MSRP of only $19,960. As an example, a recent weekend dealer ad in the Chicago newspapers auto section offered the CX-3 for $179 a month for a 3-year lease with 10-percent down.

I drove the CX-3 on the invite of Mazda last summer at its national introduction in the hill area north of Los Angeles. The roads included LA freeways…that had moving traffic, some twisty mountain roads and a stint along the roads fronting the Pacific Ocean. You can click right here to read that write-up with full details on the CX-3 and my experience HERE.

Most recently I drove the CX-3 in and around Chicago. The CX-3 is quite fun to drive, as is typical of Mazda. It has plenty of power and excellent handling. I was driving the CX-3 Grand Touring model with all-wheel drive. This is the top of the line trim with a base price of $26,240. The Grand Touring front-wheel drive is priced at $24,990. The Sport trim is priced at $19,960 and the Touring trim is $21,960.

The CX-3 is very big city friendly with its 168.3 inch overall length making parking easy. Squeezing between double-parked delivery trucks is not too much of a problem either with the CX-3’s compact size. The rear seat is of the 60/40 split-fold design that helps when carrying long items. The rear cargo expands from its 12.4 cuft to a usable 44.5 cuft with the rear seat folded.

EPA test fuel economy ratings for the standard 146 HP Skyactiv 2.0-L engine are 29 city mpg and 35 highway mpg for front drive models. With A-W-D the EPA-test ratings are 27 city mpg and 32 highway mpg. By the way the Skyactiv engine is certified as a ULEV, a Ultra Low Emission Vehicle. What does that mean for you? Well beyond the obvious of being “green” and driving a vehicle with very low emissions levels, it may mean that at your workplace you can get a better parking spot. Many LEED certified buildings are required to provide better or closer-in parking to encourage the driving of low emission vehicles. That’s something to think about.

Yahoo Autos named the all-new 2016 Mazda CX-3 the “Savvy Ride Of The Year,” as part of Yahoo Auto’s 2016 Ride of the Year Awards. The awards celebrate what Yahoo Autos believe to be the best of the best among new cars and SUVs. The 2016 CX-3, developed for people who enjoy an active lifestyle, is proving to be a favorite in the industry.  

For more specs and information on the Mazda CX-3 go to www.mazdausa.com. You can compare the CX-3 to other compact CUVs here at www.theautochannel.com. Search on The Auto Channel for reviews and opinions by my colleagues too. Don’t overlook to go to the link on my write-up from the introduction in Los Angeles.

After driving the CX-3 around Chicagoland I’m still positively impressed by its fun, efficiency, good handling and stylish exterior and interior.

And keep in mind when car shopping that you have to live with this vehicle for a number of years. From time to time it will need service, even if only routine maintenance such as an oil change. Don’t buy a vehicle unless you have a dealer that’s convenient for you to visit. Car ownership should be pleasurable. Mazda has nearly 700 dealers throughout the U.S and Mexico.

© 2015 Larry Nutson, the Chicago Car Guy

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