Three must be the magic number when it comes to SUVs. It worked well for the three bears so why not for the SUV market where so many brands have three models for us to choose from. This change in the market has taken place mostly due to the fact there is a stronger calling for compact crossover SUVs instead of the larger ones that used to be what the automotive world offered us to enjoy. With this change to the SUV world, Mazda now brings us their smallest offering in the form an all new CX-3 which now gives us a great place to find the small sized SUV we want to enjoy.
The new CX-3 comes in Sport, Touring and Grand Touring trims that can bet set up as either FWD or AWD while making full use of the SkyActiv technologies that are available for this SUV. Mazda offers us the style they have come to call Kodo which means soul of motion to indicate the vehicles that make use of this style are made with a look that appears to always be on the move. Now we also have an SUV that make use of the i-Activsense menu of driver assistance features, making this new CX-3 one that is packed full of awesomeness.
The look of this new SUV is edgy and stylish to give you a glimpse into what the future of Mazda may hold. The flowing design and slim LED lighting in the front and back make for a look that makes you wonder if this is a luxury SUV even though it wears the Mazda badging proudly. To give this SUV a more dramatic appearance the D-pillars of the CX-3 have been blacked out and there is a hatch spoiler that gives it a sporty appearance you might not see on any other SUV on the market.
The composition of this SUV is mostly high strength steel or ultra-high strength steel to bring the Mazda CX-3 in at only 2,800 pounds. The wheelbase of this vehicle is 101.2 inches and the vehicle is 10.4 inches shorter and 2.2 inches lower than the CX-5. The build makes for a rigid vehicle that gives you the full feel of the road while riding on the sport tuned suspension that helps make the ride in this vehicle one that is a lot of fun.
Under the hood we find the CX-3 will make use of a 2.0-liiter four-cylinder engine that gives you 146 horsepower and 146 lb.-ft. of torque. This will be attached to a six-speed automatic transmission that features you a Sport mode with rev matching downshifts. The GT model will add paddle shifters to the mix for those of you who want to be able to shift on your own. Overall the estimated fuel mileage is expected to be 29 city/35 hwy mpg for the FWD model and 27 city/32 hwy mpg for the AWD version.
Form the inside you will see a cabin that is attractive, impressive and full of the equipment you want to enjoy including a wonderful seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system that helps to control nearly every function on the SUV. When looking for a small SUV that fits in the compact SUV class the Mazda CX-3 makes a great choice as a vehicle that is expected to ensure we don’t forget the mantra of “zoom zoom” which has been part of Mazda for several years now. Get behind the wheel and find yourself in an SUV that is energetic and made for sport that will let your drive for a few hundred miles before ever needing a stop for gas.
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