BODY STYLE: Sub-compact CUV
DRIVE METHOD: front-engine, front-/all-wheel drive.
ENGINE: 2.0-litre DOHC inline four-cylinder (148 hp, 148 lb/ft) with six-speed automatic transmission
FUEL ECONOMY: FWD, 8.2/6.7L/100 km city/highway; AWD, 8.8/7.3L/100 km
TOW RATING: NA
CARGO VOLUME: GX/GS, 452 litres behind rear seat, 1,528 litres folded; GT, 408 litres behind rear seat, 1,484 litres folded
PRICES: GX FWD/AWD, $20,695/$22,695; GS FWD, $22,695/$24,195; GS AWD, $24,695/$26,195; GT AWD, $28,995/$30,495 not including $1,895 shipping fee
SCOTTSDALE, AZ- Small is big in Canada when it comes to cars and there is no better example than in the 2016 Mazda CX-3.
It joins a growing number of sub-compact CUVs such as the Fiat 500X, Honda HR-V and Chevy Trax that are fuel thrifty with greater utility than a sedan or hatchback and, above all, are super stylish.
With the CX-3, Mazda builds on the Mazda2 platform much as the compact CX-5 CUV builds on the Mazda3.
In Mazda Canada tradition, there are three trim models starting with the GX ($20,695-$22,695) the mid-trim GS ($22,695-$26,195) and GT ($28,995-$30,495).
There is one engine and one transmission starting with the 2.0-litre version of Mazda’s Skyactiv inline-four cylinder engine producing 148 hp and 148 lb/ft of torque with a six-speed automatic (no manual in Canada) and a choice of front-wheel-drive (FWD) or all-wheel-drive (AWD) with AWD standard on the GT.
The NRCan fuel consumption for the FWD is 8.2/6.7L/100 km city/highway and for the AWD, 8.8/7.3L/100 km.
The automatic offers a sequential manual shift mode for the times when road surfaces are wet or covered in snow and ice. The automatic also has a “Sport” button at the back of the shifter housing that offers a little more power when needed, such as when joining the freeway flow of traffic.
Despite its small overall length, cargo space behind the 60:40 split/fold back seat is 452 litres on the GX and GS and 408 litres on the GT. With the seat folded, it is 1,528 litres on the GX/GS and 1,484 litres on the GT.
A neat feature on the GX/GS is a rear cargo board with two levels. The highest flattens and extends the cargo floor when the rear seats are folded. The lower level makes space for two large suitcases with the seat erect.
A down side is the cargo behind the rear seat is only big enough for a few bags of groceries, which is a purchase reason for those with a bunch of hungry kids to feed.
Mazda stressed these were pre-production vehicles and not indicative of the full-production models and it’s a good thing they told us that.
