Mazda CX-3 2.0 Deluxe (A) Review
12 Dec 2016|33,778 views
We spend a large part of our lives waiting. Tourists queue in the cold for Harajuku Gyozaro's gyozas in Tokyo, tech-nerds spend days queuing for new iPhones while more recently, local sneakerheads queued outside the Adidas Originals store for a pair of BAPE x Adidas NMDs.
As much as we think queuing is an utter waste of life and time, more often than not, what we get at the end of the long line is thoroughly worth the wait.
The highly anticipated Mazda CX-3 arrived in Singapore a good six months ago but it's only until recently that we managed to get our hands on it.
The CX-3's sheet metal is a combination of cute, stylish and sporty
The CX-3 is Mazda's way of capitalising on an expanding trend of compact crossovers, here to take on the likes of the Honda HR-V, the Mitsubishi ASX and the Nissan Juke.
Even before we met the CX-3 in the flesh, it's always presented itself as one of the more stylish and desirable cars in its segment. But is it worth our six-month wait? Let's find out.
What's the story?
More compact than a CX-5, Mazda's latest creation's name might hint that it's a higher-riding version of the Mazda3. But, that's not quite true because the CX-3 is more closely related to the Mazda2 Hatchback - in fact, it looks very much like a stilted Mazda2.
As much as we think queuing is an utter waste of life and time, more often than not, what we get at the end of the long line is thoroughly worth the wait.
The highly anticipated Mazda CX-3 arrived in Singapore a good six months ago but it's only until recently that we managed to get our hands on it.
The CX-3 is Mazda's way of capitalising on an expanding trend of compact crossovers, here to take on the likes of the Honda HR-V, the Mitsubishi ASX and the Nissan Juke.
Even before we met the CX-3 in the flesh, it's always presented itself as one of the more stylish and desirable cars in its segment. But is it worth our six-month wait? Let's find out.
What's the story?
More compact than a CX-5, Mazda's latest creation's name might hint that it's a higher-riding version of the Mazda3. But, that's not quite true because the CX-3 is more closely related to the Mazda2 Hatchback - in fact, it looks very much like a stilted Mazda2.
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However, instead of the Mazda2's bantam 1.5-litre engine, the CX-3 is powered by a 154bhp, 2.0-litre unit producing 204Nm of torque which, for its size, is quite a rarity.
Paired to Mazda's six-cog auto, the CX-3's lively powertrain sends the car from 0-100km/h in 9.5 seconds. And it isn't just the high compression, naturally aspirated engine that spreads a smile across our faces either.
The CX-3, despite being a compact crossover, handles very much like a hatchback - a happy, excitable, eager to go one. In the ever-important department of driving dynamics, the CX-3, amongst its peers, is second to none.
When the fun ends and sensible family driving begins, the CX-3 responds by becoming a quiet and comfortable cruiser.
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Unfortunately, the car's gem of an engine is also its bane.
Because buyers of such cars aren't quite into performance or style, most might be inclined to get said HR-V and Juke instead because they're not just cheaper to buy, but cheaper to run - think Certificate of Entitlement category and road taxes.
What's hot?
Like the rest in Mazda's stable, the sharp and angular CX-3 is awarded the company's 'KODO: Soul of Motion' design philosophy, which is absolutely nice on the eyes.
Inside, the sporty Mazda2-esque cabin is finished in quality plastics and soft leather. Controls including the infotainment system are very easy to use and having a head-up display and Mazda's Blind Sport Monitoring is a nice, premium touch. The Deluxe trim we drove also comes standard with a sunroof.
The car's well-built cockpit is hard to fault
In terms of hauling abilities, the CX-3's boot measures 350 litres when the rear seats are up, which beats the Nissan Juke and tops out at 1,260 litres when the seats are folded flat.
What's not-so-hot?
For a car as sporty as the CX-3, you'd expect to have paddle shifters, especially because it's a 2.0-litre, and costs $127,300 (as of 1st December 2016).
Because buyers of such cars aren't quite into performance or style, most might be inclined to get said HR-V and Juke instead because they're not just cheaper to buy, but cheaper to run - think Certificate of Entitlement category and road taxes.
What's hot?
Like the rest in Mazda's stable, the sharp and angular CX-3 is awarded the company's 'KODO: Soul of Motion' design philosophy, which is absolutely nice on the eyes.
Inside, the sporty Mazda2-esque cabin is finished in quality plastics and soft leather. Controls including the infotainment system are very easy to use and having a head-up display and Mazda's Blind Sport Monitoring is a nice, premium touch. The Deluxe trim we drove also comes standard with a sunroof.
In terms of hauling abilities, the CX-3's boot measures 350 litres when the rear seats are up, which beats the Nissan Juke and tops out at 1,260 litres when the seats are folded flat.
What's not-so-hot?
For a car as sporty as the CX-3, you'd expect to have paddle shifters, especially because it's a 2.0-litre, and costs $127,300 (as of 1st December 2016).
The cheaper Mazda3 Hatchback 2.0 Sport comes standard with them. Sadly, you won't find any in this car and that's honestly quite displeasing.
Legroom at the back, too, isn't much to shout about, but considering its platform is borrowed from a Mazda2, it becomes a very understandable issue.
Ferrying three adults at the back might be a tight fit
So is the Mazda CX-3 a good buy or a goodbye?
This compact Mazda may be a little bit more expensive compared to its rivals, but the CX-3 has indeed been well worth our wait. Better than Harajuku Gyozaro's gyozas, I might add. Space gripes aside, it's every bit a winner - one that sits high and proud at the top of its class.
It's a great looker inside and out, a decent performer wherever you decide to go and just the right size for slotting into parallel parking lots around town.
But please Mazda, if you're listening, fit the next batch with paddle shifters.
Legroom at the back, too, isn't much to shout about, but considering its platform is borrowed from a Mazda2, it becomes a very understandable issue.
So is the Mazda CX-3 a good buy or a goodbye?
This compact Mazda may be a little bit more expensive compared to its rivals, but the CX-3 has indeed been well worth our wait. Better than Harajuku Gyozaro's gyozas, I might add. Space gripes aside, it's every bit a winner - one that sits high and proud at the top of its class.
It's a great looker inside and out, a decent performer wherever you decide to go and just the right size for slotting into parallel parking lots around town.
But please Mazda, if you're listening, fit the next batch with paddle shifters.
We spend a large part of our lives waiting. Tourists queue in the cold for Harajuku Gyozaro's gyozas in Tokyo, tech-nerds spend days queuing for new iPhones while more recently, local sneakerheads queued outside the Adidas Originals store for a pair of BAPE x Adidas NMDs.
As much as we think queuing is an utter waste of life and time, more often than not, what we get at the end of the long line is thoroughly worth the wait.
The highly anticipated Mazda CX-3 arrived in Singapore a good six months ago but it's only until recently that we managed to get our hands on it.
The CX-3 is Mazda's way of capitalising on an expanding trend of compact crossovers, here to take on the likes of the Honda HR-V, the Mitsubishi ASX and the Nissan Juke.
Even before we met the CX-3 in the flesh, it's always presented itself as one of the more stylish and desirable cars in its segment. But is it worth our six-month wait? Let's find out.
What's the story?
More compact than a CX-5, Mazda's latest creation's name might hint that it's a higher-riding version of the Mazda3. But, that's not quite true because the CX-3 is more closely related to the Mazda2 Hatchback - in fact, it looks very much like a stilted Mazda2.
As much as we think queuing is an utter waste of life and time, more often than not, what we get at the end of the long line is thoroughly worth the wait.
The highly anticipated Mazda CX-3 arrived in Singapore a good six months ago but it's only until recently that we managed to get our hands on it.
The CX-3 is Mazda's way of capitalising on an expanding trend of compact crossovers, here to take on the likes of the Honda HR-V, the Mitsubishi ASX and the Nissan Juke.
Even before we met the CX-3 in the flesh, it's always presented itself as one of the more stylish and desirable cars in its segment. But is it worth our six-month wait? Let's find out.
What's the story?
More compact than a CX-5, Mazda's latest creation's name might hint that it's a higher-riding version of the Mazda3. But, that's not quite true because the CX-3 is more closely related to the Mazda2 Hatchback - in fact, it looks very much like a stilted Mazda2.
However, instead of the Mazda2's bantam 1.5-litre engine, the CX-3 is powered by a 154bhp, 2.0-litre unit producing 204Nm of torque which, for its size, is quite a rarity.
Paired to Mazda's six-cog auto, the CX-3's lively powertrain sends the car from 0-100km/h in 9.5 seconds. And it isn't just the high compression, naturally aspirated engine that spreads a smile across our faces either.
The CX-3, despite being a compact crossover, handles very much like a hatchback - a happy, excitable, eager to go one. In the ever-important department of driving dynamics, the CX-3, amongst its peers, is second to none.
When the fun ends and sensible family driving begins, the CX-3 responds by becoming a quiet and comfortable cruiser.
Paired to Mazda's six-cog auto, the CX-3's lively powertrain sends the car from 0-100km/h in 9.5 seconds. And it isn't just the high compression, naturally aspirated engine that spreads a smile across our faces either.
The CX-3, despite being a compact crossover, handles very much like a hatchback - a happy, excitable, eager to go one. In the ever-important department of driving dynamics, the CX-3, amongst its peers, is second to none.
When the fun ends and sensible family driving begins, the CX-3 responds by becoming a quiet and comfortable cruiser.
Unfortunately, the car's gem of an engine is also its bane.
Because buyers of such cars aren't quite into performance or style, most might be inclined to get said HR-V and Juke instead because they're not just cheaper to buy, but cheaper to run - think Certificate of Entitlement category and road taxes.
What's hot?
Like the rest in Mazda's stable, the sharp and angular CX-3 is awarded the company's 'KODO: Soul of Motion' design philosophy, which is absolutely nice on the eyes.
Inside, the sporty Mazda2-esque cabin is finished in quality plastics and soft leather. Controls including the infotainment system are very easy to use and having a head-up display and Mazda's Blind Sport Monitoring is a nice, premium touch. The Deluxe trim we drove also comes standard with a sunroof.
In terms of hauling abilities, the CX-3's boot measures 350 litres when the rear seats are up, which beats the Nissan Juke and tops out at 1,260 litres when the seats are folded flat.
What's not-so-hot?
For a car as sporty as the CX-3, you'd expect to have paddle shifters, especially because it's a 2.0-litre, and costs $127,300 (as of 1st December 2016).
Because buyers of such cars aren't quite into performance or style, most might be inclined to get said HR-V and Juke instead because they're not just cheaper to buy, but cheaper to run - think Certificate of Entitlement category and road taxes.
What's hot?
Like the rest in Mazda's stable, the sharp and angular CX-3 is awarded the company's 'KODO: Soul of Motion' design philosophy, which is absolutely nice on the eyes.
Inside, the sporty Mazda2-esque cabin is finished in quality plastics and soft leather. Controls including the infotainment system are very easy to use and having a head-up display and Mazda's Blind Sport Monitoring is a nice, premium touch. The Deluxe trim we drove also comes standard with a sunroof.
In terms of hauling abilities, the CX-3's boot measures 350 litres when the rear seats are up, which beats the Nissan Juke and tops out at 1,260 litres when the seats are folded flat.
What's not-so-hot?
For a car as sporty as the CX-3, you'd expect to have paddle shifters, especially because it's a 2.0-litre, and costs $127,300 (as of 1st December 2016).
The cheaper Mazda3 Hatchback 2.0 Sport comes standard with them. Sadly, you won't find any in this car and that's honestly quite displeasing.
Legroom at the back, too, isn't much to shout about, but considering its platform is borrowed from a Mazda2, it becomes a very understandable issue.
So is the Mazda CX-3 a good buy or a goodbye?
This compact Mazda may be a little bit more expensive compared to its rivals, but the CX-3 has indeed been well worth our wait. Better than Harajuku Gyozaro's gyozas, I might add. Space gripes aside, it's every bit a winner - one that sits high and proud at the top of its class.
It's a great looker inside and out, a decent performer wherever you decide to go and just the right size for slotting into parallel parking lots around town.
But please Mazda, if you're listening, fit the next batch with paddle shifters.
Legroom at the back, too, isn't much to shout about, but considering its platform is borrowed from a Mazda2, it becomes a very understandable issue.
So is the Mazda CX-3 a good buy or a goodbye?
This compact Mazda may be a little bit more expensive compared to its rivals, but the CX-3 has indeed been well worth our wait. Better than Harajuku Gyozaro's gyozas, I might add. Space gripes aside, it's every bit a winner - one that sits high and proud at the top of its class.
It's a great looker inside and out, a decent performer wherever you decide to go and just the right size for slotting into parallel parking lots around town.
But please Mazda, if you're listening, fit the next batch with paddle shifters.
Photos by Low Fai Ming
Car Information
Mazda CX-3 2.0 Deluxe (A)
CAT B|Petrol|16.4km/L
Horsepower
115kW (154 bhp)
Torque
204 Nm
Acceleration
9.5sec (0-100km /hr)
This model is no longer being sold by local distributor
All Used Mazda CX-3
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