Around 200.000 SUV have been approved to date 2015 according to the Federal Motor Transport Authority, every tenth new registration is attributable to the Hochbeiner - tendency rising for years. But they still exist, the people who can not make friends with this trend. For her is the Mazda CX-3 a real alternative, as a two-week test with the mini-SUV has proven.
It starts with the outside view: at 1,54 meters, the Japanese crouches flatter than many others in its class, such as the Opel Mokka or Fiat 500X. Its length of 4,28 meters makes it one of the larger examples of the mini-SUV category. Like the two competitors mentioned, it is growing into the compact class - a VW Golf is 4,26 meters long.
Unlike the competition makes the Mazda, however, not on massive Trutz Castle, the designers have tailored the five-door instead sporting elegance à la Mazda3 in the sheet metal dress. The pleasing design with a high, curved waistline and angled tail end, which uses the typical crossover insignia as black plastic attachments well dosed, is likely to appeal to people who can not cope with the pseudo-off-road charm of other SUV nothing.
The elegant impression continues in the interior: round air vents framing a simple dashboard, which was enhanced in the test car with white leather, three round buttons regulate the air conditioning, everything else is (from the second trim level, more on this later) on the 7 Inch display in the middle and the rotary-push-dial operated between the seats. Little note on the edge: in the highest equipment level "Sports Line" (from 22.790 Euro) excited the leather interior "Pure-White / Anthracite (plus 1.000 Euro) with their detail-loving black-white-red design.
The sense of space in front is airy, the overview good, at the same time you do not feel on a high seat away from the road to enthrone. But the back is the view - due to the design - modest. A parking aid offers Mazda, however, only from the second equipment level (Center Line, from 19.990 Euro) and only in the package. For this, then with a fair 1.000 Euro surcharge also heated seats, light and rain sensor, DAB radio, darkened windows and lane departure warning on board. In the back seat on comfortable seats is a bit closer - after all, the CX-3 is related to the small car Mazda2. The trunk is sufficiently lush with 350 liters.
Once with the CX-3 on the road you could almost forget that you're in an SUV. The Japanese manages to navigate swiftly and willingly through the traffic. Of course, the CX-3 with its comfort-designed suspension is anything but a boast of sportiness. But the binding, speed-sensitive power steering and the 2,0-liter Saugbenziner in the test car, which hangs pretty well on the gas, do their job well. Thanks to its lightweight construction, 1,2 Tons also contributes to light-footedness.
The 88 kW / 120 PS mounted in the test car entry level gasoline for the vast majority of life situations completely, especially as the gasoline engine provides its power over a wide rev range. In 9,0 seconds, the mini-SUV is at 100 km / h, maximum 192 km / h are possible. The power is transmitted from the six-speed gearbox, an optional automatic transmission is available (1.600 Euro surcharge).
Contrary to the trend towards downsizing and turbo support, Mazda sticks to naturally aspirated engines. Thanks to its particularly high compaction, consumption is still relatively low. In the two-week test, the CX-3 came without any fuel efficiency efforts on 6,8 liter - not a peak, but in the competitive range appropriate and with the standard value in approach attainable visibility: 5,9 liter on the chassis dynamometer indicates Mazda.
In the fair introductory price of 17.990 Euro air conditioner, radio, electric windows and start-stop system are included, you can add extra but metallic paint nothing. In the next higher equipment level (from 19.990 Euro), already the standard equipment is plentiful: including climate control, city emergency brake, cruise control, leather steering wheel, 7-inch display, speakerphone with voice control and CD player. From "Exclusive" (21.890 Euro) are heated seats or LED headlights as standard and the idea of the mini-SUV has gained so much that he wants to draw on the full, ordered "Sports Line" (from 22.790 Euro, including head- up display).
Author: Hanne Lübbehüsen / SP-X
