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Mazda has discontinued the small Mazda CX-3. Interested parties must therefore switch to the used car market. The TÜV has a pretty clear opinion on used specimens.
A well and, above all, smartly camouflaged small car is the Mazda CX-3. The mini-SUV, which was launched in 2015, is based on the small Mazda 2. The raised small car met the taste of customers and became the second best-selling Mazda model. Anyone who is interested in him, however, has to resort to used copies as soon as the remaining stocks have been sold by the dealers' yards: Because Mazda took the little one out of the program in Germany at the beginning of the year.
Body and interior
With a length of 3 meters, the CX-4,28 is 22 centimeters longer than its gene donor. Above all, the increase in length benefits the front passengers. Here you don't feel like you're in a small car, but enjoy a lot of free space around you. In the rear it is a bit more cramped, and getting into the rear is not that easy due to the rear doors not opening very wide.
Visually, the Japanese relies on a stylish appearance, neither too cute nor too rustic was probably the motto of the design team. The five-seater has a decent trunk. It holds 350 liters, if you fold down the rear seat backs, the value increases up to 1.260 liters. The workmanship is good, but you can see from the interior that a sharp pen was expected.
In 2018 the CX-3 received its first facelift. Mazda used higher-quality materials in the interior, and the center console was redesigned. At the end of 2020, the SUV was refreshed again. Since then, the vehicles have been fitted with a radiator grip which, depending on the equipment, is framed by LED headlights, optionally with matrix light, and chrome trim. There were also new front seats.
Motors and drive
At the market launch there was a choice of a two-litre four-cylinder petrol engine in two expansion stages with 88 kW/120 hp and 110 kW/150 hp and a 1,5-litre diesel with 77 kW/105 hp. The petrol engines do without turbo support. All three engines can also be combined with a six-speed automatic. The strongest Otto always drives up with all-wheel drive, the diesel can also be ordered with 4×4 drive. The engines were revised with the 2018 facelift. The diesel now delivers 85 kW/115 hp from a displacement of 1,8 liters. Its consumption is an average of 4,4 liters (4,8 liters with all-wheel drive), Mazda specifies average values of 6,1 to 7,0 liters for the petrol engine .
At the end of 2020, the engines previously offered will be phased out. Customers could only order an 89 kW/129 hp two-liter petrol engine with cylinder deactivation. With the optionally available six-speed automatic, the standard consumption increases by 0,7 liters to 6 liters. The unit is only available with front-wheel drive.
Equipment and safety
The CX-3 was offered in four trim levels. Mazda also launched special models such as "Homura". The top version includes a navigation system, head-up display and 18-inch model as standard. Matrix LED headlights were also available for an extra charge. Extras were often combined in packages, so that you could only order the rear parking aid in combination with the lane departure warning system and seat heating. Anyone interested in a used car must therefore always take a close look at the equipment details of the desired vehicle.
If you value smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, you should choose a model after the 2018 refresh. The Connect infotainment system has been part of the basic equipment since 2020. In addition to an extended range of assistants, there is now a 360-degree camera to choose from. The little one received four out of five stars in the NCAP crash test.
Quality
So far, owners of a CX-3 have been able to drive to the TÜV main inspection (HU) in a relaxed manner. Among the four to five-year-old vehicles, the Mazda took third place of all the cars evaluated in the current TÜV report. The little Japanese masters the checkpoints chassis, brakes and environment without any problems. Only the front lights give cause for criticism. They stand out due to their gloom.
Conclusion
The Mazda CX-3 looks good and also cuts a good figure at the TÜV. In addition, the early models are also available with all-wheel drive and automatic lovers will also find what they are looking for here. Many well-equipped specimens are offered in the used car portals. These are available from around 16.000 euros. Vehicles with less comfort start from around 12.000 euros. Diesel are offered from 11.000 euros.