2018 Mazda CX-3 review from Family Wheels
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- čas přidán 12. 09. 2024
- The Mazda CX-3 has some new tricks up its sleeve for 2018. But is the smallest crossover in the company's line-up enough car for your family? We spend a week in it to find out.
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I just bought one for my daughter after graduating hs she loves it . We drove it from Florida to NY with no problems and was really comfortable. We were very surprised. I do own a Jeep Grand Cherokee and a MB 300 that I have made the trip in before. It really surprised me.
For some reason I just really like it when the base trim gets reviewed.
Yeah, I like it, too. It seems like we always get the top trim. Nice to switch it up!
Yes, I know the car companies want you to push the unaffordable top trims all the time. Good job.
Yessss
Yes!!
Thank you, I really appreciate your road noise decibel test. you are probably the only car reviewer who provides us with that information
Glad to help! Thanks for watching.
We have a Mazda CX-3 SP (2L Gasoline, top model from 2016) as my second car to a CX-5.. The space is limited, but I can fit a child seat with no problem and drive my son (6) to school. I very like the style and the driving performance. But it is too small as a small family vehicle, when it is your only car. So the Honda HR-V would be a better choice (but more dull and less fun...).
Great real life thoughts from an owner here. Thanks, Jurg.
This is exactly my sentiment. I have a Cruze currently and my g/f has a '16 CX-5. I am looking into this vehicle because of the AWD and smaller size. Have a baby coming in March and my 10 year-old son. But we use the CX-5 as the family vehicle...the CX-3 would be just for me and one or both of the children here and there...plus I won't be buying it for a year or more so the baby will most likely be front facing by the time I do buy one. I am looking at HR-V, Impreza, and a couple others as well, but I feel like the CX-3 is going to be my top pick. Unless the new Mazda 3 with AWD is cheaper than currently expected.
Great video. Amazing that Mazda vehicles tend to be more popular in both Canada and Australia than they are in the US. Plenty of room for improvement!
An excellent review. I have a '17 CX-3 GT (US model) going on a year-and-a-half now. My first Mazda and I am very satisfied with it. It is all in what ones expectations are and what a buyer is looking for. I previously owned an Acura MDX with 300hp and I do not miss the (lack of) build quality and 12mpg one bit. I was looking to downsize; frankly I consider the CX-3 a two-seater. I felt the reviewer was very fair with commentary although I guess I am more okay with the acceleration that the reviewer was. The power is actually good in its' vehicle class opposed to the direct competition. Not that much slower than the MDX to be honest, although I do use sport mode and the paddle shifters.
Hello Paul, yet again a nice concise review! This is my daily driver and I love it! However, it is just myself and fiance so this car is perfect size for us. If we had kids, I would definitely go for a CX-5 or 9. Wish we had the manual down here in the States. I have the Touring trim with the premium package. Anyways, thanks again for an honest video.
Right on! What made you choose the CX-3 over the competition?
The premium feel of the interior and the design language.
Just FYI - the CX-3 is smaller than the 3 Hatchback because it's based on the Mazda 2, not the Mazda 3, despite the "3" in its name.
Anyway, really like your reviews. Concise, to the point, and informative. How did you get into car reviews? Do you get press cars or do you borrow/rent them from owners/rental companies?
Hi Robert... thanks for the note. I started out by borrowing cars from dealerships now get them direct from the manufacturers.
Great review of a good car that’s a good selling in Italy too.
Cheers from Naples. 🇮🇹
I just love mazda vehicles 😍
145 hp manual transmission is "underpowered" engine ..... for this type of car? I've owned the 120 hp 2 litre variant and can't complain about snappiness. I can imagine 145 hp is better. It easily goes at 190 kmph at the highway - tested. What are your expectations for this kind of car? Otherwise - nice review!🎉
This CX3 is not meant for families period....simply for singles or couples that's why Mazda has the CX5 or even the CX9. If you have kids why even bother looking into this CX3? If I was young and single then definitely worth considering this!
We currently have a '16 CX-5 and a '14 Cruze. We are going to be getting rid of my Cruze in the next year or two. I have a 10 year-old son and a baby coming March of this year. I'm 5'7 ish and my g/f is 5'3. The CX-5 can seem small even as it is without a 2nd child, but I'm looking at the CX-3 for myself because I want AWD and don't want the CX-5 size. The CX-5 would be the family vehicle and mine would be for just me most of the time...my oldest son lives with his mother for school and we have him weekends so I pick him up Friday's and bring him back on Sunday's...unless it's a holiday. The baby would be the only one to ride with me more often, even then, it's not every day. For our situation, I think it would be perfect. We are also not planning to have any more children. Because I want to buy a used car, the CX-3 is the most likely, however, if the new Mazda 3 with AWD is on the market used for a reasonable price, then I may consider that instead. I'll also be looking at HR-V and Impreza.
For the 2018 model year in Canada the GT trim got new 10 way POWER seats that have been much improved. This includes lumbar support and adjustments. They’re basically ripped right out of the CX5. They’re significantly more comfortable.
If you’re a tall driver and don’t care for owning a large vehicle or having a ton of rear seat space... this will actually give you a raised CHAIR seating position. Unlike cars, your knees don’t point up to the sky. I’m more comfortable in this than a Mazda3 and I’m just shy of 6’2”.
That is great news about the GT trim getting a seat upgrade. Thanks for letting us know, Derek!
Family Wheels no problem. Still great work on your videos. They’re very honest.
I respect the fact you touched on the GVC. It’s a pretty significant inclusion for the 2018 model year.
I don't know how improved they are over previous years, but I can confirm the front seats are very comfortable in the 2018 GT. I've spent a few hours in them, and no complaints.
I have the 1.5td, love it. Where I live in Japan, I dont need AWD and its great. I get 17km/L(40mpg) and 21km/L(50mpg) highway. BUT the radar cruise control takes some learning about distance settings and when to change lanes to be smooth without auto braking
Looks like a solid car, but the back seat seems almost unworkable for anyone. Interesting to know they sell so well in Canada vs. the US.
Yeah, I thought the sales breakdown was interesting, too.
Fuel is sky-high in Canada, dirt cheap in the US.
These things are primarily designed as urban runabouts, and for that purpose, they have plenty of power. I don't know why everyone always expects subcompacts to have tons of power for highway driving, and tons of room inside. They're not great highway vehicles.
That being said, I was on the hwy in a CX-3 GT recently, doing 120 km/hr, and we never noticed any issues with power deficit. Noise, yes, it's too noisy at hwy speeds, but again, subcompact. Get something larger and more powerful if you do mostly hwy driving (if those things are important to you, some people prefer fuel economy over comfort and safety).
That's a good point... the CX-3 as an about-towner is a great choice. Highway cruiser? Not as much. Thanks for all the comments and views.
I hear the skyactive transmission has issues? Is this true?
I hope they improve the engine power. I look at the Honda hrv and I cringe. The chr is also slow, the renegade will be unreliable, Kia Soul is cool but it’s not a crossover, Tucson is bleh. I can’t even with the Trax and ecosport. Everything else is wayyyy outta my price range, anyway this was a great review of a base model.
Look at the Hyundai Kona with the 1.6L Turbo engine.
They put the crappy 16s from the sport version of Mazda 3...
What part of the world has a CX3 turbo?????
why are you spending half the video talking about the engine on a family ride? These are single parent cars tho
So which would you get if you can get one, as a family guy? :) Trax, CX-3, XV, Renegade, CH-R, ASX or HR-V?
For me... it would be a split between the Crosstrek or the HR-V. Both have their benefits and shortcomings.
Family Wheels Same here. Both are the most practical, I believe, but yes each has their own pros and cons.
Get a CX-5 for a few grand more. It's way more vehicle than any on your list.
This really should have alloy wheels standard.
Good to see the kid from Malcolm in The Middle leaned out.
I could not be more pleased with my CX3. Of course I don't have kids. My big dog doesn't seem to like it. A bit too cramped for him.
You called it Paul. Mazda's trim levels frankly suck. Stick or AWD or heated seats but not all three. Super lame for a company claiming sporty provenance and upscale interiors. And yes, Mazda thinks if you want AWD you want an SUV and will not sell you an AWD normal car despite identical underpinnings. Like I said, lame and has kept me out of Mazda showroom for three car cycles already.
You’re missing out and only doing yourself a disservice by not going in and checking it out yourself.
Oh I did check it out. Top trim 3s that was Corolla-bland to drive and cost more than GTI. Currently in the market for an AWD wagon and Mazda has nothing to offer.
Ficon with all that right there I know you haven’t actually looked into things or driven the Mazda.
Mazda’s are known for there precise and sporty steering. A Corolla couldn’t touch a Mazda. Even a GTI is less direct.
Secondly
A Mazda 3 does not cost more than a GTI. GTI starting cost is more than a top trim Mazda3 sport GT. Also a GTI requires premium fuel only further adding to its costs.
So my question is... what’s it like working for VW and being a fanboy?
Base GTI starts at 29k... Mazda 3 Sport GT (top trim) 26k, Canadian Pricing.
You should get properly informed before you start misleading people.
I bought my GTI for 25 US. The 3s was 27. There was a vast difference in power, steering feel, shifter feel and ride quality. Mazdas feel remarkable compared to Dodge Stratuses and Chevy Malibus but fall short against properly developed cars. When the Mazda dealer heard I was going to drive the GTI next he did not even try to sell the 3 and never followed up.
That’s a cute neighborhood
Looks like Calgary (but not sure, could be Edmonton).
Please review the Nissan Rogue!
I'll see what I can swing, Joshua. We don't get a lot of Nissan vehicles through here.
Very under powered vehicle at all trim levels. Thunk of this with the Honda 1.5L turbo engine
buy a bigger car then....