Test drive: Mazda CX-3 G150 AWD

Mazda (with Car Dvd Player) likes to take things slowly and to proper digest an idea before it decides to throw it into the market. The Japanese automaker has always been a company that did not push for high volumes, preferring to take a different approach than the rest of the field. The SUVs and crossovers are booming around the world, and even the conservative European market has tipped the balance towards these two segments last year. Therefore, automakers have rushed to meet the demand by launching high-riders, especially in a compact form. Mazda has come to this party last year and has to face a rather harsh competition from models such as Renault Captur, Opel Mokka or Nissan Juke. But like I said before, Mazda does not look over its shoulder to see what path its rivals took to please the mainstream customers, but is rather keeping its beliefs by offering some sharp looking cars that promise a drive to match their bold design. The small CX-3 crossover perfectly embodies the well-known Mazda sporty philosophy with dynamic lines that do not hide its desire to stir emotion when you are heading towards your car. It is an approach that is not usually seen within the segment, as all the automakers choose to play it safe when it comes to their design. Of course, there are some exceptions, such as the oddball Juke. Nissan’s audacity is the perfect example that some craziness can bring good thinks, even if Juke is still raising some eyebrows. CX-3 does not have that hate it or love it stance, but it rather shows off the most exciting bodywork that followers of the urban tiny crossovers can find in this niche. The side mouldings and the high beltline could express a go-anywhere SUV character, but its exterior was definitely pictured to incorporate the Kodo language, the Soul of Motion style that could be seen in all recent Mazdas. The racy look tells us that CX-3 is made for staying on tarmac, announcing some excitement behind the wheel as well, not only from the distance. The sharp theme is carried on into the cabin, with a clean layout with higher trims which brings before your eyes only three round climate control louvers and a 7-inch touch display for infotainment and connectivity gimmicks, a system that can also be accessed by a rotary dial between the seats, similar to the iDrive controller in BMW models. Clean and efficient, clatter free of buttons, the dashboard can be seen as too minimalistic by some. But the MZD Connect interface offers plenty of features to play with, allowing you to keep up with social media or send and receive emails. What about install an Android Car Gps? Like all Mazdas, the CX-3 is driver oriented and driving focused, with comfy and supportive front seats. The seating position is top notch, but its low-set is not intended for those who are looking to feel at height on the road. The dynamic stance is emphasized by the instrument dials dominated by the analogue rev counter with a small digital speedometer on the side and by a head-up display providing real-time driving data. The materials throughout the cabin are a good mix of solid plastics and dark red soft trim material on the doors and matching kneepads on the centre console. The comfort up-front is not to be found on the rear seats though, as it is quite a tight place with not too much room for knee or head for a 6 feet tall person. And this is because the CX-3 sits on the same platform as the Mazda2 supermini. Mazda’s small crossover is not suited for families with growing children and most of its class rivals suppress it. The luggage space is only average for this segment, passengers having a 350-litre boot at their disposal. However, it expands to 1,260 litres with the split rear seatbacks folded and offers some flexibility throughout the adjustable floor which reveals a two-way cargo area. On the road Mazda has always developed its cars with drivers in mind and almost all models are a reflection of this approach. At the heart of the CX-3 beats either a petrol Skyactiv-G 2.0-litre in two power outputs or a Skyactiv-D 1.5 diesel, with power transferred to the front or all four wheels via six-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmissions. The direct-injection naturally aspirated gas engine is offered with either 88kW/120 PS for FWD models or 110kW/150 PS for AWD CX-3s, both at 6,000 rpm, and 204 Nm of torque delivered at 2,800 rpm, while the diesel produces 77kW/105 PS and 270 Nm. For keeping the CO2 levels as low as possible and to be fuel-efficient, both powerplants have the i-stop idle-stop system as a standard feature. If installing an Android Car Stereo in your car, that would be great!