Mazda CX-3: Features explained

Mazda announced the arrival of the facelifted 2019 CX-3 in Malaysia back in late 2018 and comes as a Completely Built Unit (CBU) straight from its homeland of Japan. The Mazda CX-3 is classed as a subcompact crossover SUV, essentially a B-segment crossover, and is available in only one variant as of now. The lone variant is priced at RM 121,134 and competes against the likes of the Honda HR-V and Renault Captur.

To assist it in standing out of the pack, Mazda has souped-up the styling of the new CX-3, adopting some fresh styling cues for the 2019MY along with a few exterior elements that were borrowed from its elder sibling, the CX-5. However, the Japanese carmaker has also integrated some much-needed revisions within the cabin, including adding some new technologies and gadgets, further boosting this small crossover’s appeal in the eyes of buyers. And while the CX-3 sits in between the more affordable Captur and the more expensive HR-V, it manages to hold its own quite well -- mostly thanks to its abundant features and equipment, as you shall see.

Exterior features

Mazda’s eye-catching KODO design language that’s used on the new CX-3’s exterior works well in its favour; it’s decidedly contemporary, refreshingly elegant yet sporty, and undeniably youthful in its outward persona and charm. The front end now wears a revised grille with additional chrome accents on two of the four slats, plus a blacked-out fog lamp housing for added contrast. The sharp-looking LED headlamps go well with the sculpted bumper-integrated LED fog lamps, while the noticeable lip spoiler and wide air dam contribute to the overall sporty appeal of the CX-3’s face. The CX-3’s taut character lines are mixed well with some flamboyant bulges, that, along with its short overhangs and jacked up body height concludes with it looking dynamic and poised in its stance.

The side profile of the CX-3 features the obligatory body cladding with some chrome garnish, mildly exaggerated wheel arches, chic 18-inch alloy rims that are wrapped with 215-section tyres, blacked out B, C and D-pillars, and a trendy roofline that slopes quite sharply towards the rear. Around the back, the facelifted CX-3 gets a neat roof spoiler arrangement, swanky LED tail lamp clusters, well-moulded tailgate and rear bumper, while twin exhaust outlets flank a subtle air diffuser. The new Mazda CX-3 is offered in up to six paint jobs, including the popular ones such as Soul Red Crystal and Deep Crystal Blue options, along with others like Ceramic Metallic, Jet Black, Machine Grey, and Snowflake White Pearl.

Interior features

The interior of the new Mazda CX-3 has to be one amongst the few in its class which leaves the rest behind on several crucial aspects - be it in terms of its perceived quality, consistent and inconsequential panel gaps, upmarket build quality, and the overall robustness and sound feel of the materials, to name a few. Mazda has clearly worked hard to preserve and even improve upon these qualities, apart from incorporating tactile, high-grade switches, buttons, and adding soft touch-points wherever feasible. Of course, to top these off, there’s the CX-3’s exhaustive list of features and tech. To kick things off, there’s Mazda’s proprietary G-Vectoring Control Technology and i-Stop Idling engine auto stop-start feature -- helping it drive well and save fuel at the same time.

Now, getting into the meat & potatoes of the features list, you get some useful stuff such as automatic and adaptive headlights, rain-sensing windshield wipers, auto-folding wing mirrors, intelligent keyless entry with push-button start, good quality leather upholstery, automatic single-zone climate control, cruise control, 10-way adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support and memory function, electronic parking brake with auto-hold function, paddle shifters, auto-dimming rearview mirror, Mazda’s MZD Connect infotainment system with a 7-inch touchscreen head unit with Bluetooth connectivity, voice recognition and GPS navigation, and a decent six-speaker sound system. There are also parking sensors with a rearview camera.

Engine and performance

In Malaysia, the Mazda CX-3 is only available with one engine option: the petrol-fuelled SKYACTIV 2.0-litre four-cylinder. This naturally-aspirated mill comes with dual overhead camshafts, and is mated to the marque’s 6-speed SKYACTIV-DRIVE automatic transmission that exclusively drives the front wheels, only. With 154 horsepower and 206Nm of torque on offer, the four-banger in the CX-3 powers it to a top speed of 197 kmph, while the run from nought to 100 kmph is done and dusted in around 8.5 seconds. And if you don’t push it too hard, the Mazda CX-3 can achieve over 15 kmpl on a combined cycle.

Safety features

The Mazda CX-3 is brimming with some of the latest in safety features and is considered as one of the safest vehicles in its class. It gets all-around disc brakes with Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD) and Emergency Brake Assist (EBA), Emergency Stop Signal (ESS), ISOFIX child seat anchor points, and a full complement of up to six airbags. Additionally, you also benefit from other electronic nannies such as Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Traction Control System (TCS), Hill Launch Assist (HLA), Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), and ISOFIX rear seat anchor points.