2017 Mazda CX-3
Pros
- Excellent fuel economy
- sporty handling helps you have fun behind the wheel
- Impressively quiet at highway speeds
- Front seats are very comfortable and supportive
- Attractive, high-quality interior with appealing features
Cons
- Snug rear seat and humble cargo capacity limit the CX-3's versatility
2017 Mazda CX-3 pricing
in Ashburn, VA
Edmunds' Expert Review
Overall rating
Now in its second model year, the Mazda CX-3 reprises its role as the spunky, fun alternative in the subcompact crossover segment. It is Mazda's entry-level offering, and it debuted last year as yet another Mazda that we highly recommend. The CX-3 combines the currently fashionable tall ride height of a crossover with sporty handling and undeniable style inside and out. Few crossovers this inexpensive are this much fun.
It's not all about emotion, either. Segment-leading fuel economy is another draw to the 2017 CX-3 delivers. Its light curb weight and fuel-sipping engine combine to deliver 31 mpg in combined driving, according to the EPA. You can also get the CX-3 with all-wheel drive, of course, and fuel economy is still very good at 29 mpg. Mazda also packs in the technology, fitting every CX-3 with a touchscreen infotainment interface and offering advanced collision avoidance features on the top Grand Touring trim level to help keep you safe.
Growth in the subcompact crossover segment has been explosive. Mazda isn't alone with the CX-3 — there are several similarly new entries with which it competes. The Honda HR-V is right up there with the Mazda at the top of the class, offering more cargo space and similar fuel economy. If European flavor is more your thing, there's the Fiat 500X, while those looking for an off-road bent will gravitate toward the Jeep Renegade. In the putting all the pieces together in the most convincing fashion, though, the CX-3 earns our hearty recommendation.
Every 2017 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 blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and the Grand Touring can be equipped with an i-Activsense package that includes advanced technologies such as 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.
Trim levels & features
The 2017 Mazda CX-3 is a five-passenger subcompact crossover SUV available in Sport, Touring and Grand Touring trim levels.
The base Sport starts with 16-inch wheels, automatic headlights, a rear roof spoiler, variable intermittent wipers, push-button ignition, a height-adjustable driver seat, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, cruise control, air-conditioning, Bluetooth (phone and audio), a rearview camera, a six-speaker audio system (with a CD player, a USB port, an auxiliary audio jack and Aha/ Pandora/ Stitcher internet radio), voice controls and a 7-inch touchscreen interface with a redundant rotary control knob on the center console.
The Touring adds keyless entry and ignition, 18-inch wheels, heated mirrors, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, a front-row center armrest, leatherette (premium vinyl) and cloth upholstery, heated front seats, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob.
The Grand Touring adds adaptive LED headlights, LED foglights and taillights, a sunroof, upgraded instrumentation, a head-up display, leather and synthetic suede upholstery, a navigation system, automatic climate control, steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters, a rear cargo cover, and a seven-speaker Bose audio system with HD radio and satellite radio.
If you want a CX-3 Touring with a little more luxury, you can add a Premium package that includes the Grand Touring's sunroof, rear cargo cover and Bose audio system.
Offered solely on the Grand Touring is an i-Activsense package that includes automatic high-beam headlight control, automatic wipers, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control and a forward collision mitigation system with automatic braking.
The 2017 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 city/34 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.
Driving
With precise steering and alert handling reflexes, the 2017 Mazda CX-3 earns class-topping marks for athleticism in this segment. The only other offering that can rival the Mazda's buoyant fun-to-drive-ness is the Nissan Juke. The Mazda's 146-hp engine isn't quite as energetic, offering decent thrust but getting somewhat buzzy above 4,000 rpm. Still, the CX-3's acceleration is better than average and is aided by a surprisingly responsive and crisp-shifting six-speed automatic.
The CX-3's ride quality is on the firm side, especially with the lower-profile 18-inch tires on Touring and Grand Touring trims. If you're considering those trim levels, we'd suggest that you try out a Sport, too; it has 16-inch tires with taller sidewalls with which to absorb road irregularities. Either way, road and wind noise levels in the CX-3 are low compared to class norms, bolstering the premium feel established by the CX-3's cabin and driving dynamics.
Interior
With a keen attention to design, the 2017 CX-3's cabin looks sleek and contemporary, and it's trimmed in materials that look reasonably high-end. The plain Jane gauge cluster in lower trims makes way for a prominent central tachometer and integrated digital speedometer in Grand Touring trim. We're less impressed by the Grand Touring's awkward-looking head-up display, however.
All CX-3s are equipped with a 7-inch touchscreen interface that's also controlled by a handy control knob on the center console. It works well overall, although certain tasks that should be simple — such as changing satellite radio stations — require multiple inputs to accomplish.
The CX-3's front seats deliver outstanding comfort for this segment, with pleasantly firm support for long hauls and lateral bolstering that's well-suited for spirited driving. Rear legroom is at a premium, a common malady among subcompact crossovers, and adult passengers in the rear will probably need the front seat occupants to skooch their seats forward.
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. Opting for the Bose system with its bulky trunk-mounted subwoofer shrinks those numbers to 10.1 and 42.3 cubes, respectively. By contrast, the Honda HR-V can swallow up to 58.8 cubic feet of stuff.
Top consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2017 Mazda CX-3.
2017 Mazda CX-3 video
Here's a quick Edmunds Expert Rundown of the 2017 Mazda CX-3. As with a lot of compact crossovers, the CX-3 doesn't have the cargo capacity you expect from a traditional SUV. If you think of it more like a hatchback, you'll probably be just fine. When it comes to a rear seat space, it is also somewhat limiting, especially for adults. The CX-3's interior exceeds expectations when it comes to design as well as materials quality. On top of it, you get one of the best infotainment systems at any price. Among other compact crossover SUVs, like Honda's HR-V and Jeep's Renegade, the Mazda CX-3 is simply at the top of its game. The bottom line is, you can't do much better than this. It gets great fuel economy. And it's fun to drive.
2017 Mazda CX-3 Expert Rundown Review
Looking for a compact crossover SUV that's stylish, easy to park and fun to drive? The 2017 Mazda CX-3 might be a good match. Here's a quick rundown of what we like, what we don't and the bottom line from the Edmunds editors.
Features & Specs
Safety
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See your car's valueThe 2017 Audi A3, enhanced with a few modest style and equipment changes from the previous year, remains a serious competitor among entry-level compact luxury sedans. Available as a four-door sedan or a two-door convertible, the redesigned A3 continues to offer a practical blend of ride, handling and comfort that has made it a success with shoppers on the hunt for an upscale vehicle that's modest in size yet big on features.
For 2017, the A3 sports a face-lifted front end with a reshaped high-gloss grille and more aggressive headlight framing, as well as an updated back end with standard LED taillights and a new rear diffuser. There are also changes to the engine lineup and a new seven-speed transmission. But perhaps the most significant changes are in the areas of technology. There's an available revamped infotainment system and Audi's Virtual Cockpit, featuring a configurable data display. In the realm of safety tech, Audi has added a number of standard or optional advanced systems.
Inside, the A3's design has changed very little from last year. The quality of materials remains high. The style, while conservative, is up to date and attractive. Front seat occupants will find plenty of leg- and hiproom as well as shoulder room, although larger adults may feel a tad cramped in the back. Trunk space also lags that of many other cars in its class, especially in the all-wheel-drive models. On the plus side, the rear seatbacks do fold flat to increase cargo room.
Power for all models arrives via a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, tuned to 186 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque in front-wheel-drive vehicles and 220 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque in those with all-wheel drive. FWD models get the all-new dual-clutch automatic transmission, while AWD A3s continue with a six-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Belying its compact size, the 2017 A3 provides a luxury driving experience, with comfortable, compliant suspension that nevertheless delivers handling rivaling that of some its sportier competitors. Buyers interested in upping the performance factor can order a stiffer sport suspension package that lowers the car and flattens out the corners. The flexible and refined powerplant should be more than lively enough for most drivers.
Fuel economy for the front-wheel-drive Audi A3 is EPA-rated at 20 mpg combined (26 city/35 highway). Choosing an all-wheel-drive model will lower the rating to 27 mpg combined (24 city/31 highway).
You can order the A3 as a sedan or a convertible in three trim levels, Premium, Premium Plus and Prestige; all are available in an all-wheel-drive Quattro version. The base Premium trim comes well equipped with such luxury touches as leather seats and a 10-speaker sound system. The Premium Plus and Prestige models pile on the upscale exterior and interior features. Whatever your preference, let Edmunds help you select the best 2017 Audi A3 to meet your needs.
2017 Mazda CX-3 Overview
The 2017 Mazda CX-3 is offered in the following submodels: CX-3 SUV. Available styles include Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl 6A), Grand Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl 6A), Touring 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 6A), Sport 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl 6A), Grand Touring 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 6A), and Sport 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 6A).
What do people think of the 2017 Mazda CX-3?
Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 2017 Mazda CX-3 and all its trim types. Overall, Edmunds users rate the 2017 CX-3 5 on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. Edmunds consumer reviews allow users to sift through aggregated consumer reviews to understand what other drivers are saying about any vehicle in our database. Detailed rating breakdowns (including performance, comfort, value, interior, exterior design, build quality, and reliability) are available as well to provide shoppers with a comprehensive understanding of why customers like the 2017 CX-3.
Edmunds Expert Reviews
Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2017 Mazda CX-3 and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2017 CX-3 featuring deep dives into trim levels and features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.
Our Review Process
This review was written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you can buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them in detail to their competitors.
We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.
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Should I lease or buy a 2017 Mazda CX-3?
Is it better to lease or buy a car? Ask most people and they'll probably tell you that car buying is the way to go. And from a financial perspective, it's true, provided you're willing to make higher monthly payments, pay off the loan in full and keep the car for a few years. Leasing, on the other hand, can be a less expensive option on a month-to-month basis. It's also good if you're someone who likes to drive a new car every three years or so.
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2017 Mazda CX-3 Information
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