The recently competed Chicago Auto Show again drew huge attendance, pumping exuberance into an otherwise dreary, ho-hum February. Auto sales reached record heights last year with 17.5 units sold throughout the United States.
Mazda, not the biggest, but quite possibly nimblest of Asian automakers, introduced an all-new crossover for 2016, the diminutive CX-3. This newbie rounds out Mazda's growing crossover lineup, now boasting the mid-range CX-5 and three-row, family-sized CX-9, with a next-generation 2016 redesign on sale later this spring.
In 2015, Mazda sales totaled 319,184, up 4.4 percent from the previous year; it's best showing in 20 years. Mazda broke into the U.S. market in 1970.
No pickup trucks or large truck-based sport utilities frequent Mazda dealers. Instead, fuel-conscious sedans and crossover boasting uni-body (car-like) underpinning dot the lot. The MX-5 Miata two-door roadster remains an iconic, halo vehicle for the brand.
Mazda's sedan lineup includes the compact Mazda3 also available as a five-door hatchback (solely front-wheel drive) measuring approximately six inches longer than the subcompact CX-3 crossover.
Small crossovers accounted for more than two million unit sales in 2015, now the industry's fastest growing segment. Many newly arriving subcompact crossovers, including CX-3, offer advanced high-tech nuances such as lane departure warning and speed adjusting radar cruise control; not long ago the privy of luxury brands.
Mazda's CX-3 offers a higher seating position for drivers and shotgun riders than compact sedans or wagons, providing good viewing in all directions with surprising ample front head room. The segment continues adding players as Asian-rival Honda debuts a new-for-2016 HR-V. Chevrolet arrived one year earlier with the subcompact Trax.
Of these very well executed debuts, CX-3 offers superior ride and handling along with edgy interior and exterior design. It's the driver-oriented choice of the three newcomers. Our tester including a 'sport' select mode allowing higher engine revs when desired than the 'normal' setting. Fuel economy gets stretched and maximized as well.
Honda's HR-V delivers cargo-carrying versatility, with back-seat cushions folding vertically flat against backrests, opening up more cargo-carrying options. Rear leg room in our CX-3 tester remains at a premium, best left for two riders to travel in optimal comfort. Headroom in row deuce remains adequate for those six-feet three or shorter.
Mazda wisely simplifies the CX-3 dealership experience when purchasing or leasing. Basically, buyers choose between three trims (Sport, Touring and Grand Touring) and either front or Midwest friendly all-wheel drive. The base Sport trim comes well equipped with no factory options entering into the decision. Touring trims add one option package (Premium, featuring a moon roof and Satellite radio) while Grand Touring offers an "ActivSense" package (while including all Premium package nuances).
A large part of Mazda's recent success includes a lean, mean examination of its current powertrain strategy.
Mazda chose a short-term corporate strategy to highly refine existing gasoline-powered engines in the U.S. and diesel engines worldwide through its "SkyActive" mantra, rather than pouring limited resources into promising, yet still emerging alternative power sources such as all electric or gas-electric hybrids.
All trims and drivetrains feature a spunky 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 146 horsepower (five more than Honda HR-V crossover) and born out of Mazda's SkyActive architecture. It's identical to the engine under hood of the 2016 Miata MX-5 roadster.
The 2012 Mazda3 sedan first introduced SkyActive to the U.S. market. Now, a majority of Mazda's lineup buys in to the program.
SkyActive tweaks Mazda's internal combustion engine with a higher air-fuel volume compression ratio teaming with new transmissions. Most conventional gas engines rely upon a static 10:1 cylinder compression ratio. SkyActive up the ante to 12:1 with regular 87-octane, a feat not long ago thought unattainable, pumping up low-end torque.
Suspensions have been lightened and tightened. Engine friction is reduced 30 percent through oil and water pump efficiencies. Vehicles went on a diet, shedding couple hundred pounds while upgrading rigidity. All the high-tech tweaks add up to enhancing handling characteristics and minimal body lean during spirited turns.
The CX-3 adopts a long hood, short overhang and large wheels. Wave-like bottom side window frame creates narrower rear side windows. Several character lines come into play, including one beginning as a hood crease, extending towards back end half-circle wheel wells. The soft-curved rear top includes a spoiler, off-setting a smallish back window with standard wiper. Grand Tourings feature cladding covers surrounding circular wheel wells, keeping fender areas as ding free as possible.
CX-3 pricing starts below $20,000 at $19,960 for a front-wheel drive Sport trim. Add $1,250 for all-wheel drive. Our top-line Grand Touring tester checked in at $26,240. Options included a rear bumper guard ($100), door sill trim plates ($100) and aforementioned "ActivSense" Package ($1,920) including: radar-sensing cruise control, variable rain-sensing wipers, lane departure warning and brake support.
Grand Touring is the only trim with steering wheel mounted paddle shifters and heads up display. Green illuminated readouts project on a small rectangular plate atop the steering column. Also unique to Grand Touring, an instrument cluster with center circular window with large analog tachometer and small digital speedometer window tucked inside.
Mazda receives two thumbs up incorporating three, easy-to-grab, tactile chrome dials monitoring ventilation functions (fan speed, direction and temperature). A seven-inch multi-function color screen grabs attention once ensconced inside. Resembling a miniature, wall-mounted flat TV screen, it protrudes up from the center dash.
The screen interacts with "Mazda Connect" sound/infotainment; a system shared with other Mazda vehicles. Volume and station select dials reside apart from the non-touch screen. Located between supportive manually-adjusting front bucket seats, a tall thinner twist knob summons sound while a wider circular twist knob adjusts station selections with the aid of a push-down motion. Three quick select iconed push buttons in front of the larger dial summon navigation, sound and home.
While requiring a fair amount of tactile hand action, this design is still preferred over Honda's HR-V's, which relies upon a dial-less touchscreen interface.
Three circular, closeable air vents adorn the dash from side to side, along with a fourth rectangular vent under the non-touch screen. The manually adjustable steering column moves both up and in when needed. Push button start comes standard in all trims.
A temporary spare tire (not every car comes with one these days) locates under a slightly elevated flat cargo floor. Rear seatbacks fold down (60/40 split) semi flat onto cushions for expanded cargo opportunities. When prone, a rather limited 10.0 cubic feet of cargo is available. Expect a fair amount of tire noise during highway driving, not uncommon in subcompacts.
Front-drive models generate 29 mpg city and 35 mpg highway. Expect two miles city and three highway when ordering all-wheel drive. While the thrill of a six-speed manual transmission remains available in other Mazda models, the transmission of choice in CX-3 is a standard six-speed automatic.
At A Glance
2016 Mazda CX-3Price as Tested: $26,240
Engine: 2.0-liter four cylinder
Horsepower: 146
Length: 168.3 inches
Wheelbase: 101.2 inches
Fuel Economy City/Highway: 27 mpg/ 32 mpg
Curb Weight: 2,952 pounds
Powertrain warranty: Five year/60,000 miles