SYDNEY: Mazda has unveiled all new Compact CX-3 the small SUV in Australia from starting price of $19,990. The new Compact Mazda CX-3 is available in both petrol and diesel models with AWD auto models and cruise control.
Arriving with four trim grades, petrol and diesel engines, manual and auto transmissions, along with front- and all-wheel-drive layouts, the CX-3 boasts 24 possible configurations.
As TMR reported in February, the compact CX-3 kicks off at $19,990 for the entry ‘Neo’ grade, topping out at $37,690 for the top-shelf Akari.
Mazda says it is planning for around 1000 sales each month, which, if it had been in showrooms last month, would have put the CX-3 comfortably ahead of Honda’s new HR-V (825 in February) but behind the slightly larger Mitsubishi ASX (1,451) and Nissan Qashqai (1,126).
Mazda may yet pass its Mitsubishi and Nissan rivals in the compact SUV segment, although the company has admitted that strong demand in overseas markets will limit local potential.
The carmaker also concedes the CX-3 may impact on sales of its popular and often segment-leading Mazda3 and Mazda2 models.
“We’re not trying to protect Mazda3 or Mazda2. It will steal some sales from ‘3’, it may steal some from ‘2’, but as long as it’s stealing from within the Mazda family, it doesn’t really matter,” Mazda Australia marketing boss Alastair Doak told TMR in February.
POWERTRAINS
Driving the local CX-3 range will be pair of petrol and diesel engines, available with most trim grades and configurations.
Petrol models are motivated by a 109kW/192Nm 2.0 litre four-cylinder unit.
Fuel consumption figures in the petrol range begin from 6.1 l/100km in front-wheel-drive, six-speed auto models.
AWD auto models list fuel use at 6.7 l/100km.
The diesel end of the range is driven by a 77kW/270Nm 1.5 litre four-cylinder mill, with fuel consumption starting at 4.8 l/100km for the front-wheel-drive, six-speed auto models.
AWD auto models list fuel use at 5.1 l/100km.
Suspension in all models is by MacPherson struts at the front, matched to a torsion beam design at the rear.
FEATURES & DIMENSIONS
Neo
16-inch steel wheels with 215/60 tyres
Exhaust extensions (chrome)
Green-tinted windscreen, side and rear windows
Halogen headlamps
Power mirrors (body coloured with folding function)
Power windows
Rear spoiler
Height adjustable front seat (Driver)
60/40 split fold backrest
Seat trim: Black/grey cloth
Air-conditioning
Cruise control
Cupholders
Door bottle holders (front and rear)
Tilt and telescopic adjustable steering wheel
Trip computer
Vanity mirrors (front)
Audio system with: AM/FM tuner, single disc CD player (MP3 compatible) and four speakers
Auxiliary-audio input jack (3.5mm mini-stereo)
Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio capability
Steering wheel-mounted audio controls USB-audio input port (iPod compatible)
Advanced keyless push-button engine start
Airbags SRS: front (Driver and passenger), side (front) and curtain (front and rear)
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) Emergency Brake Assist (EBA) Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) Hill Launch Assist (HLA) ISOFIX child restraint anchor points and top tethers
Parking sensors (rear) Remote central locking (2 transmitters) Traction Control System (TCS)
Maxx (in addition to Neo features)
16-inch alloy wheels
Leather-wrapped: gear shift knob, handbrake handle and steering wheel
Overhead sunglass storage box 7-inch full colour touch screen display (MZD Connect)
Audio system with six speakers Internet radio integration (Pandora, Stitcher and Aha )
Multi-function commander control
Radio Data System (RDS) program information
Satellite navigation
Reverse camera
STouring (in addition to Maxx features)
18-inch alloy wheels with 215/50 tyres
Front fog-lamps (LED)
Daytime running lamps (LED)
Headlamps (LED)
Headlamps auto on/off function
Tail-lamps (LED)
Wipers (front) 2-speed with rain-sensing function
Seat trim: Black Maztex/grey cloth
Active Driving Display
Air-conditioning (climate control)
Advanced keyless entry
Akari (in addition to sTouring features)
Power sliding and tilt glass sunroof
Seat trim: Black leather8/black suede or pure white leather/black suede
Advanced Blind Spot Monitoring (ABSM)
High Beam Control (HBC)
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
Smart City Brake Support (SCBS)
The CX-3 offers 160mm of minimum ground clearance and a turning ciycle of 10.6 metres kerb-to-kerb.
Although well-equipped, the CX-3’s Achilles heel could be its rear storage. Measuring just 264 litres, it’s well behind segment competitors like the Mitsubishi ASX, Peugeot 2008 and Holden Trax. (Seats-down storage capacity has yet to be confirmed.)
With the 60:40 split-folding rear seats folded flat, cargo capacity grows to 1174 litres. The space measures 1000mm wide and 740mm long.
