What is it?
When Mazda titivated its smaller CX-3 crossover last summer, it also introduced a limited-edition GT Sport, examples of which remain available.
Based on the 2.0 petrol CX-3 Sport Navigation, upgrades include subtle silver-coloured lip extensions to its sills and front and rear aprons, redesigned 18in alloy wheels, a tailgate spoiler in gloss black and nappa leather trim to the seats, dashboard and door cards. Ceramic or grey mica metallic paint options are standard, saving you £550, with the total package costing less than a similarly optioned Sport Navigation, which isn’t available with the appealing dark brown upholstery.
The recent range modifications mirror those made to the Mazda 2 supermini – whose platform the CX-3 shares – and most of them are aimed at improving all-round refinement. They include extra soundproofing to the tailgate, boot, dashboard and transmission tunnel, with petrol versions also benefiting from new resonance-reducing engine mounts.
Slightly revised dampers aim smooth the ride, with the front lower arm bushes reworked to improve small-bump compliance. The electric power steering has also been recalibrated to improve precision and linearity, and all topped off with a redesigned wheel. Mazda claims that the steering is now less affected by driveline torque inputs, with its G-vectoring control system minutely adjusting the engine’s output during brisker cornering to achieve this. The same software is also said to strengthen straight-line stability.
The Mazda CX-3’s electronic active safety systems are also upgraded; the city brake feature is now able to operate at higher speeds and to detect pedestrians.
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Where's the CX-4?
I like the CX-3 but it's too small, competing with the Juke etc, whereas the CX-5 is too big. Surely Mazda should be releasing something to rival the Qashqai and sit between their two current offerings.
CX-4?
I test drove a CX-3 a couple of years ago and it was a real hoot. I also felt it was a bit small. My comment to the salesman was that they should put the 165bhp version in this car, then it would really motor. My partner has a Mazda2 90bhp and it's both very reliable and economical to run (she gets well over 50mpg in hers).
"Consistent" steering!
Autocar in "Mazda with 'consistent' steering" shock! Still a rather luke-warm review. I'd have had this as being rather smaller than the Ateca - more like a competitor for an Arona (albeit, if that's the case then the price looks a bit high. I think it's one of the better looking small fauxUVs and the drivetrain will be great to use.
Mazda's best car?
Deserves to do well and for a shade under £23k with that kit is pretty impressive, well ahead of the Qashqai. Would be better still with the more powerful version of this engine
More powerful engine
Agree entirely. I wonder why Mazda doesn't fit the 165bhp version in this car, especially in this version.
More powerful engine
Agree entirely. I wonder why Mazda doesn't fit the 165bhp version in this car, especially in this version.