Mazda CX-3 Review 2024

If you want a stylish small SUV that’s great to drive, the Mazda CX-3 should be on your shortlist. The underpowered petrol engines won’t appeal to everyone, but they ought to be reliable and fairly cheap to run. We like its minimalist interior and equipment levels are generous, although most rivals are more spacious.

Unless you cover a lot of miles or really need four-wheel drive, we’d recommend the standard 120PS 2.0-litre petrol engine. Mid-spec SE-L (and later SE-L Nav) CX-3 models are popular and represent good value for money, so that’s probably what we’d be looking for.

There are plenty of alternatives you could also consider. The Nissan Juke is a popular rival, although not everyone will like its bulbous looks. The Citroen C3 Aircross is a comfortable alternative, while the Renault Captur is a versatile choice. You could also consider the newer Volkswagen T-Cross and popular SEAT Arona, while the Honda HR-V is a dependable option. Also look at the Suzuki Vitara, too.

As we've come to expect with Mazdas, the material quality used in the CX-3 is really rather good. Though the CX-3 uses a hard plastic for the dashboard, it still feels nice and sturdy, and not at all flimsy. This is complemented by nice little touches like soft leather dashboard inlays, and for those opting for one of the higher-end trim levels, there's also suede door inlays and leather seats. 

All these elements contribute to the Mazda CX-3's premium feel, and it certainly enjoys one of the best interiors found in a small SUV, something that rivals like the Nissan Juke and Renault Captur of the time can't quite match.

Whatever trim level you pick with the Mazda CX-3, all models come with a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system as standard. Perched centrally on top of the dashboard, it's nice and easy to glance at during driving.

Although it is a touchscreen system, you’ll probably find it easier to control using the rotary dial down between the front seats. This is much less distracting than leaning forward and trying to use the touchscreen on the move. 

It’s a decent system, with DAB radio and Bluetooth connectivity (as well as USB points), while most also come with navigation (only the base model Mazda CX-3 SE model doesn't feature built-in navigation). Later Mazda CX-3 models have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while Sport Nav+ trim level comes with a fancy Bose media system.

If there's one area in which the Mazda CX-3 can't quite compete with its rivals, it's in the practicality stakes. If space is your prime concern (and if you're looking at a SUV, it's probably a key consideration) and if you regularly carry passengers, then you're much better off looking at a Renault Captur or Honda HR-V.

Measuring just under 4.3m long and a little narrower than 1.8m wide, the Mazda CX-3 provides plenty of space up front. However, those in the back will feel pretty hard done by, with the sloping roofline of the CX-3 not making it the most comfortable place to be for a tall adult on longer journeys. Chances are that the rear seats are going to be filled with car seats and children, so the ISOFIX child seat mounting points on the outer rear seats of the CX-3 will come in handy. 

While a typical family hatchback will offer more space for luggage, the Mazda CX-3's 350-litre boot capacity isn't too bad for a small SUV, but not quite as large as some rivals. If you opt for the Sport Nav model, then boot capacity shrinks to 287 litres to make way for the Bose sound system's subwoofer. Fold the seats down and you've got 1,197 litres of space, while there's decent underfloor storage. 

You won’t find any small, turbocharged engines in the CX-3 line-up. Mazda prefers to ‘right-size’ its engines, an approach that leads to realistic fuel economy figures and impressive reliability.

Most Mazda CX-3s are powered by a 120PS 2.0-litre petrol engine with front-wheel-drive. This is good news as, for most buyers, it’s the pick of the range, returning decent fuel economy and fairly punchy performance (although you’ll have to work it harder than the 1.0 TSI used in the SEAT Arona, for example). A more powerful version of this engine was offered, with 150PS and four-wheel drive. This is fine, but thirstier. We wouldn’t bother unless you really need a 4x4.

The diesel offering was initially a 1.5-litre diesel with 105PS (available with two- or four-wheel drive), which was replaced by a 115PS 1.8 in mid-2018 (front-wheel drive only).

You’ll find six-speed automatic and manual gearboxes on the market. Both are very good: the manual offers a slick change, while the auto transmission provides almost seamless gear changes without impacting fuel economy too much. Which one you opt for will come down to personal preference, really.

For those after a refinement from their Mazda CX-3, we'd point you in the direction of the six-speed automatic gearbox. With pretty seamless gear changes, this makes for a much more relaxed drive. Like the CX-30, it uses a torque-converter transmission, which should be more reliable than the dual-clutch system favoured by Volkswagen Group cars. 

Those attracted to the sportiness of the CX-3 shouldn't ignore the manual, which delivers one of the most satisfying gear changes in any small SUV: just as well, because that's something you'll be doing a lot with the engines on offer. However, these four-cylinder engines are much quieter than the growing number of three-cylinder alternatives being used by a lot of rivals. 

Once you're up and moving, and things are nice and refined, making quiet progress on motorway journeys once up to speed. We'd recommend opting for models with 16-inch alloy wheels, as while the 18-inch alloy wheels on some pricer models may enhance the overall look of the CX-3, they can make the ride that bit firmer. 

The Mazda CX-3 scored four out of five stars when it was crash tested by Euro NCAP in 2015, scoring 85% adult and 79% child occupant protection scores, as well as an 84% pedestrian protection score. That rating would've been disappointing then, but by todays standards (the tests get more and more stringent each year), it's borderline catastrophic.

That said, the CX-3 does come with a half-decent amount of safety features as standard, including electronic stability control (ESC), while all models sport plenty of airbags to help keep you and your passengers safe. This includes two front airbags, as well as side chest and pelvis airbags, while all occupants get side head airbags.  

The CX-3 features a front passenger airbag cut-off switch, essential if you're going to fit a rear-facing child seat in the front passenger seat. There's also two ISOFIX child seat mounting points fitted to the outer rear seats.    

Mazda makes some of the most reliable cars available in the UK, with the only real issues we've seen in recent years related to some diesel engines. Mazda also performed very well in the latest HonestJohn.co.uk Satisfaction Index, with the brand coming in 15th place for overall customer satisfaction, and an eighth-place finish on the list of the ten best manufacturers for reliability. 

With the exception of the diesel engine issues, the only other thing we've seen of note on the CX-3 is an issue with the air con failing and not getting the cabin as cool as desired. This will be something to check on a test drive. 

The cheapest Mazda CX-3 to insure is the 1.5-litre diesel in SE-L trim. This falls into insurance group 13, with the 2.0-litre petrol variants categorised as group 15. 

The good news is if you're looking to pick up a plusher CX-3, you're not going to see it rocket up insurance groups, with the top-of-the-range Sport Nav + classed as insurance group 18 (with Mazda's SkyActiv-G 150PS petrol engine and four-wheel drive). That's a little higher than the top-of-the-range Nissan Juke, but the CX-3 does come with a more powerful engine.

Mazda CX-3 models registered since April 2017 will be taxed at a flat rate of £190 a year after the first year. Earlier models will be taxed based on their CO2 emissions, so you could save money on car tax by buying an older CX-3.

Few people will find the entry-level Mazda CX-3 SE lacking. Standard kit includes 16-inch alloy wheels, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and gear knob and manual air conditioning. There’s cruise control and a 7.0-inch touchscreen media system with Bluetooth and DAB radio.

CX-3 SE-L adds front LED fog lights, dusk-sensing lights and rear privacy glass. Rear parking sensors are standard, as well as heated front seats, climate control and rain-sensing front wipers. It also comes with some additional driving-assist features including a lane departure warning system and smart city brake support.

The top-spec Sport Nav comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, chrome exterior highlights as well as LED headlights and tail lights. There’s a reversing camera, while the interior gets half leatherette seats with red piping. Fancy.

There’s also a head-up display, keyless entry, and paddle shifters on automatic models. The media system now has navigation, while there’s also a premium Bose surround sound system with seven speakers.

In 2017, the SE and SE-L models became SE Nav and SE-L Nav meaning, as their names suggest, they gained navigation as standard. At the same time, a new top-spec GT Sport model arrived, adding 18-inch alloy wheels, bespoke exterior styling and leather upholstery.

In mid-2018, the Mazda CX-3 was updated. Standard kit remained pretty much the same, but the SE Nav, SE-L Nav and Sport Nav models were renamed SE Nav+, SE-L Nav+ and - you guessed it - Sport Nav+.