2016 Mazda CX-3 Review

The CX-3 is all-new for 2016.

Stylish, nimble and well-equipped, the 2016 Mazda CX-3 is a standout among subcompact crossover SUVs.

Although Mazda is one of the smallest automakers, it keeps cranking out excellent vehicles that stand toe-to-toe with the big boys. A case in point is the all-new 2016 Mazda CX-3. A subcompact crossover SUV, the head-turning CX-3 combines the maneuverability of a small hatchback with the extra height of a crossover. It also features available all-wheel drive, Mazda's trademark sporty handling and a stylish, well-equipped cabin with a standard touchscreen interface. All told, it's one of the nicest and most fun-to-drive vehicles in its class.

Another welcome CX-3 trait is its thrifty fuel economy. With front-wheel drive, you'll see an impressive 31 mpg in combined city/highway driving, according to the EPA, while the all-wheel-drive version still registers 29 mpg highway. That's about as good as it gets in this segment. Unlike many fuel misers, the CX-3 can also get out of its own way, providing respectable acceleration that takes some of the stress out of highway merging and passing.

Subcompact crossovers haven't been around for very long, but there's already a critical mass of competitors for the CX-3 to check out. Tops on the list is the 2016 Honda HR-V, which lacks the CX-3's quickness and agility but counters with comparable fuel economy and superior cargo capacity. You've also got the Fiat Chrysler cousins, the 2016 Fiat 500X and the 2016 Jeep Renegade, with the former offering Italian flair and the latter boasting real off-road ability. Another rival worth trying is the venerable Nissan Juke, which is the quickest of the bunch in a straight line but has comparatively little interior space. They're all worthy candidates, but the 2016 Mazda CX-3 keeps them honest with its strong performance across the board.

The 2016 Mazda CX-3 is equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 146 horsepower and a matching 146 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic is the only available transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, with all-wheel drive offered as an option on all trim levels.

In Edmunds performance testing, a front-wheel-drive CX-3 Grand Touring accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 8.5 seconds, a quicker than average showing for this segment.

EPA-estimated fuel economy checks in at 31 mpg combined (29 mpg city/35 mpg highway) with front-wheel drive and 29 mpg combined (27 city/32 highway) with all-wheel drive. On the Edmunds real-world driving loop, our front-wheel-drive test vehicle achieved a solid 31.4 mpg.

Every 2016 Mazda CX-3 comes standard with antilock brakes, stability and traction control, front side airbags, side curtain airbags and a rearview camera. As noted above, the Touring adds a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, while the Grand Touring can be equipped with an i-Activsense package that includes advanced technologies like a forward collision mitigation system with automatic braking.

In Edmunds brake testing, a front-wheel-drive CX-3 Grand Touring stopped from 60 mph in 121 feet, a slightly shorter than average distance for the class.

The 2016 Mazda CX-3 is definitely a top athlete in this class, rivaled only by the turbocharged Juke. Handling is exemplary thanks to precise steering and nimble reflexes. The 146-hp engine sounds rather coarse above 4,000 rpm, but it gets the job done, serving up above-average acceleration in tandem with the smooth and responsive six-speed automatic.

In day-to-day driving, the CX-3's ride is on the firm side, especially with the Grand Touring's lower-profile 18-inch tires. If you're considering that trim level, we'd suggest that you try out a Touring, too, with its smaller 16-inch rubber. Either way, road and wind noise levels are low compared to class norms, contributing to the CX-3's premium feel.

The 2016 CX-3's cabin shows excellent execution overall, with high-quality materials and a sleek dashboard that conveys style and sophistication. The Grand Touring's large central tachometer and integrated digital speedometer are easy to read and look great; the head-up display looks tacked on, however, and lower trims must make do with a more ordinary gauge cluster. All trims benefit from a 7-inch touchscreen interface. It has crisp graphics, and we like the handy auxiliary control knob on the center console, though we've found that certain simple tasks -- switching between satellite radio stations, for instance -- require multiple steps to accomplish.

The CX-3's front seats deliver outstanding comfort for this segment, with pleasantly firm support for long hauls and ample lateral bolstering for spirited drives. As with most subcompact crossovers, rear passenger comfort depends on who's sitting in front -- if you're behind a tall person, you'll likely find legroom to be in short supply.

Cargo capacity in the CX-3 is decidedly modest, checking in at 12.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 44.5 cubes with the rear seatbacks folded down. That's with the standard stereo, by the way; if you get the Bose system, its trunk-mounted subwoofer reduces those numbers to 10.1 and 42.3, respectively. For context, the HR-V can swallow up to 58.8 cubic feet of stuff.