Following the refresh of the CX-3 in 2019, the 2020 Mazda CX-3 brings a few new changes to an already successful vehicle, including an extra five inches in length. The 2020 CX-3 is able to stand out from the crowded subcompact SUV category with its sporty driving, attractive styling, and noteworthy fuel economy.
SPORTY EXTERIOR
Mazda came up with the Kodo (Soul of Motion) design language for the CX-3, which is all about movement, flow and efficiency. The 2020 CX-3 is designed to turn heads and the entire exterior design showcases instant power, speed, dignified tension, and sophistication. The sporty exteriors that Mazda has come to be known for, can clearly be seen in the design of the 2020 CX-3. The signature flat-faced Mazda grille with chrome wings protruding into the headlights is proudly on display as the showpiece of the front end. Complimenting the grille are the sleek headlights and fog lights, hood accent lines and the protruding fenders giving off an aggressive look with a wide and planted stance.
The side view of the 2020 Mazda CX-3 provides a great angle to see the pleasing overall shape with balanced proportions, a sloping roofline and a sporty shape for the windows that run the full length of the vehicle. The rear end ties it all together with the dual exhaust, share fin antenna and the sleek and pronounced red tail lights. The proportions are nicely balanced making the CX-3 look great from all angles, with an exterior that showcases a sleeker, more compact and miniaturized version of the CX-5 and the CX-9.
COMPACT INTERIOR
Stepping into the compact and ergonomic interior of the 2020 Mazda CX-3, you will notice that it is designed with the driver in mind. The controls are all within easy reach of the driver and the dash is minimalistic and clean. A touch screen display helps reduce button clutter, but ergonomically also offers the ability to control functions from a knob on the center console as well as some more basic functions via the steering wheel mounted controls.
The interior is more spacious than one might think when viewing the CX-3 from the outside. Front passengers are afforded plenty of leg, head and shoulder room, but taller rear passengers may feel a bit tight when it comes to headroom. When it comes to thoughtful design in compact spaces, like the interior of the CX-3, the designers got creative to allow plenty of storage areas for personal items and a center console that manages to fit a lot of feature control, largely thanks to the electronic parking brake which frees things up.
Overall, the interior design of the CX-3 is quite sleek from the circular, omni-directional vents to the leather stitching and soft touch materials all around the dash. The 2020 CX-3 definitely delivers a lot of bang for your buck, even with the base model GX.
SPORTY PERFORMANCE
Mazdas have always been known for their sporty performance and handling and the 2020 CX-3 delivers on that front. Outfitted with a 2.0L four cylinder engine that outputs 148hp, the CX-3 is more than capable while struggling only under a full load. This lower powered engine is paired with either a six speed manual or automatic transmission and front wheel drive or optional all wheel drive.
Just like everything else about CX-3, its powertrain has been meticulously designed to work perfectly under various conditions. It’s quiet and smooth when cruising around at low speeds and when needed can be exciting with its peppy acceleration to get you to higher speeds with ease. The engine blends seamlessly with the rest of the vehicle to provide you with a very satisfying overall driving experience.
Driving the 2020 Mazda CX-3 is a very connected experience and both the steering and handling work especially well together to deliver great road feedback. The stiffer chassis doesn’t flex under stress allowing for sporty handling to go along with the precise steering. Within moments of getting behind the wheel, you can figure out exactly how much steering input you have to provide for a particular driving task. Thanks to the SKYACTIV technology, a lot of the components such as the transmission and chassis are tweaked on the fly, optimizing the CX-3’s drivability for specific road conditions.
For great fuel economy, the automatic transmission with front wheel drive is your best bet and is able to achieve an 8.3 L/100km consumption in the city and 6.9 L/100km on the highway.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The 2020 Mazda CX-3 doesn’t disappoint in any category except for maybe the interior space, but at the same time, that is the nature of a subcompact SUV. The sporty performance, sleek exterior and high quality interior all come together seamlessly to create a truly unique driving experience. With a starting price of $21,045, the 2020 CX-3 is a top contender in the segment and needs to be seen in person to be completely appreciated.
