2025 Mazda CX-3 assessment | CarExpert

It’s getting on in years, however the Mazda CX-3 continues to be one of many Japanese model’s strongest choices.

Be aware: That is an up to date model of a assessment first revealed in August. There have been minor pricing and specification adjustments for 2025 mannequin 12 months.

We have now up to date key particulars equivalent to pricing and specs with essentially the most up-to-date data out there. Learn the unique model of this assessment right here.

You can even learn the newest worth and specs article right here.

WATCH: Paul’s video assessment on the 2024 Mazda CX-3 G20 Evolve

It landed right here in 2015 and obtained a facelift in 2018, whereas it’s continued to obtain minor updates right here and there as Mazda works to maintain it on par with the competitors.

The updates appear to be working too, as a result of it outsold rivals just like the Kia Stonic and Toyota Yaris Cross by a substantial margin final 12 months. That locations it firmly on the prime of its section in a league of its personal.

Mazda had the small SUV market discovered when this automotive launched, however lots has modified since then. Even when it’s a section chief, there’s nonetheless a little bit of modernising to be achieved on the CX-3.

Tech is getting dated, and whereas it nonetheless works because it all ought to, it does depart a bit to be desired when you think about the most recent era of touchscreen infotainment you may get in different Mazdas.

You do nonetheless get wi-fi Apple CarPlay and a few further goodies, which helps to maintain it within the operating. It could nonetheless profit from a significant tech overhaul, nevertheless it’s nearly hanging on with what it has for the time being.

On take a look at right here is the Mazda CX-3 G20 Evolve, which sits bang in the course of the lineup. Aesthetically it does the job in a low-key means, and the inside is effectively offered with distinctive white and tan upholstery.

Does that imply it could possibly nonetheless duke it out with its rivals, or is it starting to fall behind?

How does the Mazda CX-3 examine?

View an in depth breakdown of the Mazda CX-3 in opposition to equally sized automobiles.

Mazda

CX-3

How a lot does the Mazda CX-3 price?

For 2025, pricing for the CX-3 G20 Evolve went up $900. It additionally picked up further security and help applied sciences, in addition to entrance fog lights and keyless entry.

To see how the Mazda CX-3 stacks up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability device

What’s the Mazda CX-3 like on the within?

Mazda appears to be going for a borderline luxurious look within the CX-3, and for essentially the most half it appears to work.

The elephant within the room is the actual fact this can be a carbon copy of the Mazda 2’s inside, which isn’t shocking given the frequent platform shared by the 2 fashions.

Some parts have been spruced up for the CX-3 although, most notably within the supplies used. The decrease part of the dashboard has been fitted with soft-touch suede to match the door playing cards, whereas some gloss black trim has been added across the gear selector.

Faux carbon fibre options on the door armrests, whereas the instrument housing has been draped in black leather-look trim in a quick tour from the hard-touch plastic we’re used to seeing right here.

There’s additionally some softer leather-look surfaces on the perimeters of the centre console to your knees, so it’s to this point fairly a constant strategy with a few accents to interrupt it up.

For 2025 the White Maztex/Tan Grand Luxe Artificial Suede you see on this 2024 instance has been swapped out for black leatherette upholstery, which is probably going extra interesting to Australian patrons and family-friendly.

Forward of the driving force is identical steering wheel seen within the Mazda 2, which works simply high quality. In contrast to the remainder of the inside it isn’t flashy in any respect, with only a small choice of buttons for infotainment and cruise management.

Its stripped-back nature means it’s fairly sturdy, which supplies you the peace of mind all of the buttons will at all times work as you anticipate them to. The straightforward structure additionally means nothing is left to guesses, and all the pieces is the place you’d anticipate it to be in the event you’re hopping into this automotive for the primary time.

Behind the wheel is a standard analogue gauge for a speedometer, flanked by a few LCD screens. This setup is once more carried over from the Mazda 2, however for individuals who favor a extra old-school driving interface it’s an ideal match.

It’s arduous to argue with the simplicity provided to the driving force, and in a time the place automobiles are more and more tech-dependent it’s generally refreshing to drive a automotive that also has some hints of the current previous – even when it’s all beginning to get a bit dated.

Not less than you do get a head-up show, which includes a clear piece of plastic that folds up with an endearing electrical whirr when the automotive begins up. It’s essential to have your seat adjusted proper to see it correctly although, however which means it may be an honest information to getting your self in the best spot.

Talking of dated, my largest gripe is with the infotainment system. It’s not too dissimilar to what you’ll discover in a few of Mazda’s different automobiles, however this small display is the place one thing just like the CX-3 actually begins to point out its age.

It’s once more toggled by rotary controls on the centre console, and whereas I perceive why that setup isn’t for everybody, I nonetheless discover it enjoyable to work together with. Positive, it’s clumsy and finicky to navigate one thing like Apple CarPlay, nevertheless it works effectively sufficient on the automotive’s native infotainment software program.

In contrast to the Mazda 2, the CX-3 has a central armrest the place you may relaxation your elbow whereas working the central dials. While you’re cruising alongside the freeway, it feels prefer it takes a lot much less effort to maintain your arm relaxed to regulate the amount reasonably than reaching for a dial elsewhere.

A big draw back is the dearth of touchscreen performance while you’re on the transfer, which not like in newer Mazdas can’t be modified. It means if there’s one thing you simply can’t work out with the dials, or if a passenger desires to make an adjustment, it’s needlessly awkward and cumbersome.

On prime of that, its graphics are a lot too early 2010s and it may be gradual to reply, particularly when the automotive has simply began up.

Given its small hatch roots, storage within the CX-3 is proscribed. There may be storage within the centre console, although it’s not the standard lidded-box you’ll discover in most different automobiles. As a substitute, it’s extra of a folding armrest with some small cabinets beneath.

You do nonetheless get some storage right here, nevertheless it’s compromised. There’s additionally a small cubby forward of the gear selector to your telephone, nevertheless it’s awkwardly sized – my normal iPhone 12 is just too tall to suit comfortably lengthways, and there’s no means it’d work sideways. A symptom of the previous, maybe.

Apart from that, there’s a traditional glovebox forward of the passenger and a few bottle holders within the doorways, however that’s about it. Not less than there are nonetheless some attention-grabbing design selections scattered round, just like the soft-touch leather-based upholstery that continues down the perimeters of the centre console.

The traditional tri-dial local weather management once more makes an look right here, which works simply high quality. Sadly there may be nonetheless some gloss black trim creeping in across the gear selector, however other than the drive mode swap there’s no actual purpose to be touching the world an excessive amount of.

The rear seats are actually a case of what you see is what you get. There are not any further facilities again right here in any respect, which implies no chargers to your telephone and no rear air flow.

Not less than you get a fold-down centre armrest with cupholders and bottle holders within the doorways. The seats themselves are comfy too, however don’t anticipate to have loads of headroom in the event you’re on the taller facet.

Moreover, the door opening isn’t the most important, which implies it may be a little bit of a squeeze to suit a baby seat or load any further cargo. In any other case, it understandably feels pretty small, although there’s nonetheless extra space again right here than what you get in a Mazda 2.

As with different smaller automobiles, room for legs and toes relies on how the entrance seats are adjusted, although most individuals and kids shouldn’t have any issues in any respect.

Boot house within the CX-3 isn’t superb, although it’s nonetheless lots for what most would use it for. Once more it’s bigger than a Mazda 2, although the important thing distinction right here is the load flooring is larger and extends additional in the direction of the entrance of the automotive.

It’s a sq. space too, which implies it’s ultimate for bins or suitcases. Eradicating the cargo cowl reveals much-needed room for taller objects, and whereas the rear seats don’t fold flat you continue to get that little bit of added house in the event you want it.

If that’s nonetheless not sufficient, the usual load flooring will be lifted to disclose one other shallow house beneath for smaller objects. For a smaller SUV, it’s a good association in case you have a younger household – I’d simply be cautious about going for one with white upholstery.

To see how the Mazda CX-3 stacks up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability device

What’s beneath the bonnet?

Your complete CX-3 vary is powered by a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine, which is nice for 110kW of energy and 195Nm of torque.

To see how the Mazda CX-3 stacks up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability device

How does the Mazda CX-3 drive?

Whereas the overall driving expertise is stable, it’s clear the CX-3 is best suited to driving across the metropolis.

In and round city it’s a nimble little automotive, with sufficient energy to scoot away from the lights and direct steering to get round tight corners. The steering isn’t terribly gentle, which on this case is okay as a result of it brings a extra genuine really feel.

It begins up with the push of a button, and shifts into gear with a standard selector on the centre console. There’s even a guide mode in the event you like, nevertheless it expectedly can solely be used by way of the shifter itself as a result of there aren’t any paddles behind the wheel.

That engine is peppier than I anticipated too, not less than in comparison with a Mazda 3 with the identical displacement. As a result of it’s a light-weight automotive, the engine feels prefer it doesn’t need to work as arduous when accelerating to the velocity restrict.

If it is advisable get away from a cease in a rush, there’s even a Sport swap you could flick in a heartbeat. It doesn’t add any further energy, nevertheless it does maintain gears longer to utilise most of what the engine has to supply.

Simply take care, as a result of in the event you’re a little bit heavy footed it would simply spin up the entrance wheels if the roads are damp. It’s simply prevented, however price taking an additional second if it is advisable pull out onto a busy essential highway within the rain.

The drawbacks begin to floor while you hit the freeway. At speeds as much as 80km/h, there are not any issues in any respect because it cruises alongside fortunately with comparatively low revs and a clean trip.

As you climb additional although, it begins to really feel much less assured. On the freeway at 110km/h, it feels prefer it’s particularly vulnerable to bumps and gusts of wind.

I’d hazard a guess to say it’s principally as a result of it truly is only a jacked up Mazda 2, which implies the centre of mass is larger than it will’ve been because of its lifted suspension. The Evolve grade additionally will get giant 18-inch wheels, which implies it’s a bit harsher over bumps.

In any other case, all the pieces is kind of as you’d anticipate. For 2025, the Pure and Evolve trim ranges picked up adaptive cruise management. This implies it’s now normal throughout the vary.

The Evolve trim nonetheless misses out on a surround-view digital camera, nonetheless, which might make it that little bit simpler to park within the metropolis. Not less than it’s a bodily small automotive, which implies it’s not too arduous to park with the assistance of the reversing digital camera – even whether it is pretty low-resolution.

Essentially, the CX-3 is an easy automotive to drive. Its proportions imply individuals coming from smaller automobiles aren’t going to really feel intimidated behind the wheel, whereas the engine and transmission combo makes for simple driving within the metropolis and on extra open suburban roads.

That transmission particularly is stable, as a result of it doesn’t maintain revs, brief shift, or maintain gears at any level when it shouldn’t. It can even attempt to sit in larger gears the place it could possibly to maximise gasoline economic system.

You do get a little bit of management both in guide mode or with Sport mode engaged, which is nearly as a lot as you may ask for in a less expensive fashionable automated.

Typically it’s a stable driving expertise which doesn’t give something roughly than what you’d anticipate for this section. It’s nonetheless a small SUV, and in the event you’re going to be driving round in principally city areas it’ll be excellent.

A good bit of highway noise can creep in on extra coarse roads and the in-cabin expertise will be considerably unrefined, nevertheless it’s nothing that ought to get beneath your pores and skin in the event you’re spending loads of time with the automotive.

It even has good high quality LED headlights, which makes evening driving particularly straightforward. It’s all precisely as you’d anticipate – nothing extra, nothing much less.

To see how the Mazda CX-3 stacks up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability device

What do you get?

There are 4 trim ranges within the 2025 CX-3 vary.

Mazda CX-3 G20 Pure highlights:

• 18-inch alloy wheels (NEW)
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Automated LED headlights
• Automated high-beam
• LED daytime operating lights
• LED tail lights
• Energy-folding exterior mirrors
• Head-up show
• 8.0-inch infotainment display
• Wired Android Auto
• Wi-fi and wired Apple CarPlay
• Satellite tv for pc navigation
• Leather-based-wrapped steering wheel
• Local weather management air-conditioning
• Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
• Six-speaker sound system
• DAB+ digital radio
• Tilt and telescopic steering column adjustment
• Material upholstery
• Electrical parking brake with auto maintain
• Keyless begin

G20 Evolve provides:

• 18-inch black machined alloy wheels (NEW)
• LED entrance fog lights (NEW)
• Keyless entry (NEW)
• Black leatherette upholstery, together with on centre console and door trims (NEW)

To see how the Mazda CX-3 stacks up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability device

Is the Mazda CX-3 protected?

The Mazda CX-3 is at present unrated by ANCAP, as its five-star ranking from 2015 has now expired.

Normal security tools consists of:

• Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
  • Pedestrian, bicycle owner detection
• Adaptive cruise management
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Driver consideration alert
• Lane departure warning
• Entrance, front-side and curtain airbags
• Reversing digital camera
• Rear parking sensors

For 2025, the Pure and Evolve now get the extra refined AEB system and adaptive cruise management beforehand restricted to up-spec fashions.

Evolve and above acquire entrance parking sensors, whereas GT SP and up obtain site visitors signal recognition.

To see how the Mazda CX-3 stacks up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability device

How a lot does the Mazda CX-3 price to run?

The Mazda CX-3 is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee.

To see how the Mazda CX-3 stacks up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability device

CarExpert’s Tackle the Mazda CX-3

If you happen to’re available in the market for a small SUV, it’s arduous to look previous the CX-3.

It’s a simple automotive to dwell with because of its compact proportions, whereas its drivetrain is clean and refined. It’s comfy at city speeds, and in the event you don’t need to spend a lot time on the freeway it’ll be excellent.

Decrease-speed highways are definitely workable, although it may be a bit unsettling in the event you’re driving at velocity in particularly tough climate. Smaller wheels would make it extra compliant, nevertheless it’s not a purpose to keep away from the CX-3 altogether.

It’s unassuming throughout and leaves nothing to guesses, which implies anybody will be capable to hop in and rapidly really feel comfy. Its older-style tech will probably be straightforward for individuals coming from older automobiles to determine what all the pieces does.

There’s no query it’s feeling dated, nevertheless it’s not the tip of the world simply but.

There isn’t an enormous mannequin vary, however there’s something in there to cater to most wants. I’d recommend the Evolve strikes a superb steadiness between tech, options, and value; although the now-base Pure is sort of equivalent and cheaper.

Regardless of this your entire CX-3 vary is now past the $30,000 asking worth threshold, which I suppose is only a signal of the instances.

Focused on shopping for a Mazda CX-3? Get in contact with one in every of CarExpert’s trusted sellers right here

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