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Small but oho
First exit in the new Mazda CX-3
Mini SUVs are on the rise. Everyone wants to surf on this wave of success, including Mazda, who have now introduced the new CX-3 in Barcelona. After the success of his big brother, the Mazda CX-5, the expectations are of course high there. At the airport a whole armada of vehicles was waiting for the journalists and, interestingly, not only the top equipment. Mazda is so convinced of its newcomer that they immediately made all equipment lines available for testing. And the little one is not only impressive, he also has it in him. The first impression: dynamic and compact. The new Mazda CX-3 is characterized by numerous typical properties of the Mazda design language KODO. With the flowing lines worked out, the driver's cab set far back and many other design features, it is clear that it belongs to the new Mazda vehicle generation, like its brothers, the Mazda3, the Mazda6 and the Mazda CX-5.
Cute brisk
The little one is available in nine exterior finishes. Among them is the new Ceramic Metallic color, which changes depending on the light. He also delighted with a beautiful side view and even his back. It expresses its independent SUV character with large wheels, the side protection strips and the high belt line. The front is of course typical Mazda, a little too "snubbly". But he quickly removes the cuteness factor as soon as you tease out your 150 PS a little more. However, this takes a little bit, because it is difficult to rev up. But once he is there, there is no stopping him. The beautiful landscape of Catalonia offers some routes to really challenge the little crossover. He takes the serpentines with a joyful "roar". The initially very soft gear shift of the "Soul Red" CX-3 is just right here, however, and allows you to avoid the sometimes very tight bends. If you can do it as a driver. The car in front also wants to show that he can do it and takes the corners a little too daring. Not entirely harmless if these are often difficult to see. But the Mazda CX-3 gives a safe impression thanks to numerous assistance systems.
Intelligent security
The extendable head-up display included in the highest equipment line, one of the first in this class, plays a central role. It shows important driving information such as the current driving speed, the directional information from the navigation system and warnings from the i-Activesense safety systems directly in the driver's field of vision on the windshield. The 7 inch color touch display, which is placed in the center of the dashboard, provides access to the connectivity services of the MZD Connect System or displays the image of the optional rear view camera as the infotainment center. As the first Mazda model in the B segment, the Mazda CX-3 is equipped with the adaptive cruise control system with radar-based distance control MRCC (Mazda Radar Cruise Control). Safety, user-friendliness, comfort and connectivity are the most important things in the new Mazda CX-3. And the driving pleasure is not put off.
"Driving pleasure without restrictions" is the motto of the engines and transmissions of the new Mazda CX-3. There is a choice of an 2.0 l Skyactiv-G direct petrol injector in two output levels and the new 1.5 l Skyactiv-D diesel engine, which after its debut in the new Mazda2 is now also used in the CX-3. Depending on the engine, the drive power is distributed to the front wheels or all four wheels via a six-speed manual transmission with six gears or the six-speed automatic Skyactiv-Drive. Our small petrol engine with 2,0 liters displacement as well as 110 kW / 150 PS and all-wheel drive achieves a maximum torque of 204 Nm. In the more powerful version, the Skyactiv-G is also equipped ex works with the capacitor-based braking energy recovery system i-Eloop. A little miracle of this Mazda CX-3. Nevertheless, he seems to feel more comfortable in the city than in the lofty heights of the Catalonian mountain ranges. Here he gets a little gasp, despite the good chassis and the all-wheel drive, which works well in the serpentines. Sporting maneuvers are nevertheless only possible to a very limited extent. But in the city he is the hero of the street and even shows his economical side. A manageable consumption of approx. Six to seven liters grooved into the small mini SUV, with a predictive driving style.
Conclusion
The trend in the new Mazda CX-3 clearly goes to the Sportsline. Here, the inclined driver not only has a sleek vehicle for the city, which also offers enough space in the interior with its 4,27 meters in length. He gets a good dose of driving pleasure on top of it and at a particularly affordable price. The base price of 17.990 Euro for the 120 PS motorization should bring sales success. It is said that 20% of buyers of premium brands have already got the taste of CX-3. No wonder, with the new Mazda CX-3 you also get a high-quality vehicle that, thanks to its manageable price, offers a good alternative to the usual premium vehicles.
Driving report / photos: Simone Amores