- Doors and Seats
5 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
1.5DT, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
77kW, 270Nm
- Fuel
Diesel 4.8L/100KM
- Manufacturer
FWD
- Transmission
Auto
- Warranty
3 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
2015 Mazda CX-3 Maxx (FWD) review
Hey guys, this is the first time I've written a review, so please be generous and forgiving, thanks.
- Value for money
- Classy design
- Fruitful engine
- Great to drive
- And it has a sport mode...
- Space in the rear seats
- Small boot
- Road noise
- Ride height not as high as an SUV should be
We bought this Mazda CX-3 in August 2017 from an old lady who barely ever drove the car after buying it new. We were looking for a car for my mum; one that would be practical for a family of four, suit the needs of a busy female doctor, while also having a modern appeal through both technology and design. The CX-3 seemed like a perfect choice thanks to its beautiful design, standard of technology and value for money, which were all corroborated by positive reviews from journalists and owners.
When we bought the car, it only had 8500km on the odometer. Being two years old at the time, we considered it was never put under tremendous pressure and was only driven occasionally. It felt like it was brand new when we first drove it, and by 'we' I mean my dad, mum and me.
So, we have a family of four: two adults and two children, although both of the children are taller than 170cm. I am also the tallest member of the family at 182cm, and, being a kid, I often have to sit in the back seats. For me, the space is a little cramped but comfortable.
However, that is when there is no-one sitting in the middle. We only once took the car out with five people on board, and it was a bit of a nightmare for those in the rear seats. I was one of them. The situation was so bad that we could barely buckle our seatbelts and sit normally. Unsurprisingly, we never took out five people again.
Another issue is the boot, which at 264L is not the best for airport luggage. It was a short flight for us four with small carry-on luggage. The car just managed to fit all four bags. Even though it’s labelled an SUV, the ride height is quite low. This meant the issue was that it would often hit a kerb. The issue was not significant, as this only happened a couple of times since ownership. Lastly, the road noise in the car can get a bit loud at times, but it’s only a minor issue since we get used to it.
The ride is very comfortable, even at low speeds of around 20–30km/h. It can get slightly bumpy when going over imperfections on the road, such as potholes and kerbs, but we get used to that too. The comfort is aided by the level of technology available in this car, but more on that later.
The best things about the CX-3 are always enough to overlook the negatives. The steering is smooth, light and accurate, and acceleration from the 2.0-litre petrol engine is potent enough to make you smile. However, if that weren’t enough, the car comes equipped with a ‘sport mode’. This allows for sportier steering, increased engine noise and quicker acceleration. That being said, the car has never really been driven on the freeway, and the highest speed we ever hit was 80km/h on the main road of town. The car handles beautifully around twisty roads thanks to its small wheelbase, which also allows for a small turning circle.
The value for money is made better by the level of technology at this price. The CX-3 Maxx comes with a touchscreen interface with Mazda’s MZD Connect software. The features are easy to navigate through and can be used via the touchscreen or with a swivel knob; something that is usually found in premium-brand cars.
Features include Bluetooth connectivity with smartphones, stereo, radio, and satellite navigation; a feature that isn’t usually available at this pricepoint. The screen also displays the reverse camera and parking sensors when the car is put into reverse. Mum found this technology quite helpful, since she didn’t have to rely on mirrors or twist and turn her head to look behind.
Last, but not least, what really attracted us to the CX-3 was its design. As car design enthusiasts, Dad and I found the proportions were near perfect for an SUV/hatchback vehicle. We were big fans of Mazda’s Kodo design language and found the CX-3 particularly complementary. Not just the exterior, but also the interior. The leather trim on the dashboard and steering wheel, along with the round air vents with red details that are connected with a flowing silver lining, really spruces up the interior. There are a fair few bits of plastic here and there, but that should be expected at this pricepoint.
For the exterior, we installed some daytime running LED lights on the front bumper to add to the design. We also love the dual exhaust system in the rear, which adds symmetry to an already good-looking vehicle.
Overall, we really love our CX-3, and it would upset us to let it go. We have received positive feedback from people who have seen our car. My uncle approved of the decision, and he’s a bit of a car enthusiast himself. One of Mum’s patients said she would love to buy one if she could afford it, and one of Dad's coworkers even went out and bought one herself after she had a look at our car.
However, with the number of family members increasing in the near future, we are looking to upgrade to the CX-8 or CX-9. That means we are left with no other choice but to sell the CX-3. We have chosen to stick to Mazda to not lose the benefits of the CX-3, but regrettably it is time to let it go. It has been a very pleasant 13 months, but our most loved car has to go.
If you or someone you know are interested, then please, without hesitation consider our CX-3. Our price is negotiable and you can have the personalised plates. It would be awesome if someone from the CarAdvice community took ownership of our CX-3.