2019 Mazda CX-3 Grand Touring AWD

Pros:

Slick exterior design and class-above interior trim

Quick steering and agile handling

Competitive fuel economy

Cons:

Tight rear quarters

Finicky infotainment controls

Smallish cargo area

2019 Mazda CX-3 Grand Touring AWD

2019 Mazda CX-3

Now in its fourth model year and sharing a platform with the subcompact Mazda2 (sold in the US as the Toyota Yaris iA sedan), changes to the 2019 Mazda CX-3 include a bit more horsepower, slightly better EPA-estimated MPG numbers, a new front grille, a standard rear view camera across the lineup, an electronic parking brake, a redesigned center console with a real armrest and covered storage, larger seat cushions made with vibration-absorbing urethane foam, and a rear center armrest with built-in cupholders. The Touring trim receives standard automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, and automatic climate control, while the Grand Touring model adds a full-color, head-up Active Driving Display and full leather seats.

2019 Mazda CX-3 Grand Touring AWD

Exterior

While it's shorter, lower, and not as visually arresting as either the CX-5 or CX-9, the CX-3's design, which is neither overly complicated nor fussy, won't be mistaken for anything other than a member of Mazda's "Kodo Soul in Motion" crossover family.

Up front, the CX-3 features a smaller version of the brand's five-point grill that, on all but the upper portion, is outlined by a chrome trim strip that traces the lower two-thirds of the new four bar style and rises until it meets and bisects the headlamp enclosures. Below the headlights, the narrow, vertical fog lamps bracket an aggressive lower air intake. The rear window mimics the grille's five-pointed theme and, on our tester sits atop a pair of redesigned LED taillamps.

Along the sides, new 16-inch alloy wheels (replacing the former steel units) wrapped in 215/60R16 all-season tires are standard on Sport models, replaced by eighteen-inch alloys sporting 215/50R18 all-season rubber on the Touring and Grand Touring trims.

2019 Mazda CX-3 Grand Touring AWD

Interior

The sharply creased exterior is wrapped around an interior that, although not nearly as sybaritic as the CX-5 and CX-9, still offers a class-above mix of materials and soft-touch surfaces. Front seat occupants are treated to more comfortable seats – even in the base Sport model – courtesy of larger seat cushions (covered in leather on Grand Touring models where last year they were trimmed in harder-to-maintain Lux Suede). The view out the front and sides is very good, although the A-pillars aren’t all that narrow. The view out the rear three-quarters is helped by a small window between the C- and D-pillars, although the D-pillar, itself, is fairly wide. Mazda also added more sound-deadening material this year that's evident in around-town driving where the interior is noticeably quieter than last year.

2019 Mazda CX-3 Grand Touring AWD

The dash features soft-touch surfaces, while the lower pad has been revised – substituting the contrasting white trim between the instrument cluster and passenger door with an easier-to-clean matching gray color. The pad itself is larger, eliminating the trim strip between the center and outboard vents. The various gauges and knobs are clear and easy to read as well as intuitive.

The center stack consists of a seven-inch touchscreen that can be operated from the console by Mazda's command remote interface – a six button, two knob setup that controls everything from the various radio options to the navigation system (standard on the Grand Touring). In addition to the seat cushions, Mazda took care of another gripe we had - center arm rest. On previous models, it extended too far forward, partially blocked the infotainment controls, and didn't offer a storage console. Mazda addressed the issue by reducing the length of the arm rest that now serves as a cover for a storage bin.

2019 Mazda CX-3 Grand Touring AWD

But things are hardly perfect as the view out the back is hampered by the rear headrests when in use, and the small rear window, while the cargo area measures a mere 12.4 cu ft. In addition, the tight rear seat, rising beltline, and curved roofline conspire to make things dismal for tall passengers in back, while the infotainment system is not only over-complicated, it lacks the simplicity found in earlier (2013-2016) CX-5s, as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability.

2019 Mazda CX-3 Grand Touring AWD

Under the hood

The only engine offered on the CX-3 is Mazda's normally-aspirated Skyactiv-G 2.0-liter inline-4 that develops 148 horsepower (up 2 from last year) at 6,000 rpm and 146 lb.-ft. of torque (unchanged) at just 2,000 rpm. It's mated to a conventional 6-speed automatic transmission – a refreshing change in a class that increasingly has moved to soul-sucking CVTs.

Fuel economy is one of the CX-3's strong suits and not something you’d expect in a crossover that’s this much fun to toss about. For 2019, front-wheel-drive CX-3s earn an EPA-estimated 29 miles per gallon in the city, 34 on the highway, and 31 combined (an increase of 1 mpg in the combined category), while all-wheel-drive versions like our tester are rated at 27 city, 32 highway, and 29 combined (no change from last year). Our own vehicle-measured observed fuel economy was an outstanding 29.3 miles per gallon in spirited city driving.

2019 Mazda CX-3 Grand Touring AWD

On the road

The 2.0-liter normally-aspirated four-cylinder engine is well-balanced and pairs nicely with the six-speed automatic. Power is sufficient, but hardly impressive, with the engine/transmission combination making its best case at highway speeds and on the Grand Touring model that's equipped with paddle shifters.

Like its bigger siblings, the CX-3 has established itself as the best-handling vehicle in its class. Chalk this up to the fact that, unlike most subcompact crossovers, it's actually fun to drive. Steering and handling are exemplary, with plenty of feedback through the steering wheel and offering improved response thanks to the addition of Mazda's G-Vectoring Control system that, during cornering, dabs the brakes a bit to shift weight forward to facilitate a tighter line. The brakes are equally good - easy to modulate, with a nice initial bite to the pads and offering excellent feedback through the pedal.

At the same time, the engine struggles at lower speeds in around town driving where the lack of power is most apparent. We should also point out that, like most Mazdas, the ride, tuned for handling, is also stiffer than rivals and can feel bumpy over potholes and larger road imperfections and might be too firm for some drivers, while the paddle shifters – which help wring out the most from the busy engine - are not offered on either the Sport or Touring trims.

2019 Mazda CX-3 Grand Touring AWD

2019 Mazda CX-3 prices

2019 Mazda CX-3 pricing starts at $21,365 (including a $975 destination fee) for a front-wheel-drive Sport model, and can top out at over $29,000 for an all-wheel-drive Grand Touring model finished in optional Soul Red Mica and equipped with the Premium Package.

Even the base Sport model is well-equipped with the usual power features plus sixteen-inch alloy wheels, rear spoiler, power outside mirrors with integrated turn signals, air conditioning, keyless push-button start, cruise control, a seven-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth phone and audio, electronic parking brake with auto-hold, and hill start assist. Standard active safety features include a rear view camera, blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and low-speed (under 19 mph) automatic emergency braking.

The I-Activesense Package (full automatic emergency braking with forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning) is optional on Sport and Touring models and standard on the Grand Touring.

2019 Mazda CX-3 Grand Touring AWD

The Soul Red Crystal Grand Touring AWD tester we drove was equipped with nearly every option. Its standard equipment list included the additions to the Touring model (heated outside mirrors, automatic headlights, larger eighteen-inch wheels, rain-sensing wipers, automatic climate control, advanced keyless entry, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, heated front seats, and leatherette-trimmed seats) plus a power moonroof, bright exterior trim, adaptive front lighting and automatic high beams, LED headlights, tail lights, fog lights and daytime running lights, paddle shifters, leather seat trim, head up display, navigation, Bose sound system, HD and satellite radio, all speed automatic emergency braking with forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and a rear cargo cover. On top of that, it came with Soul Red Crystal paint ($595), a Rear Bumper Guard ($100), Door Sill Trim Plates ($100), and the Premium Package ($710, auto-dimming rearview mirror, six-way power driver seat with power lumbar and memory, a heated steering wheel, and traffic sign recognition).

With all that, the MSRP, including the destination charge, came to $29,625 – a price, it should be noted, that overlaps the larger and quieter CX-5 Touring model.

2019 Mazda CX-3 Grand Touring AWD

The Bottom Line

The 2019 Mazda CX-3 isn't for everyone. The ride is firm, back seat accommodations are tight, cargo room behind the back row is limited, the infotainment system is overly complicated and distracting, and the pricing on top models overlaps that of the more refined CX-5.

But these shortcomings are more than offset by a fluid design, class-above interior, spirited handling, and excellent fuel economy, making it a top pick in the small crossover class.

2019 Mazda CX-3 Grand Touring AWD