5 Things We Learnt About The 2024 Mazda CX-3 1.5L Plus

The SUV boom in recent years has seen many automakers churning out as many examples of these tall-riding vehicles as they can in order to capitalise on said trend.

One of those brands who’ve dominated the SUV market in terms of both sales volume and product variety is Mazda, with the Japanese automaker featuring perhaps the most complete SUV line-up in our market. Sitting as the entry point to its star-studded SUV lineup is the Mazda CX-3.

The Mazda CX-3 1.5L Plus is the most affordable Mazda SUV you can buy today.

Launched way back in 2014, the CX-3 has entered its tenth consecutive year of production, going through several upgrades and facelifts along the way. Even with the latest update given by local Mazda distributor Bermaz Auto Berhad (BAuto), this small SUV remains a good pick not only as an introductory model to Mazda’s comprehensive SUV line-up, but also for a small SUV crossover in general.

Having spent a few days with one in the baseline 1.5L Plus Skyactiv-G specification, here are FIVE things we learned about the Mazda CX-3 sporty small SUV…

1. It Has Aged Well, Just Like Fine Wine!

Compared to its newer adversaries, the decade-old Mazda CX-3 still looks the part, even in entry-level guise as tested.

Despite turning 10 this year, the CX-3 still looks sporty and stylish as it ever was.

Based on the 2018 facelift model, the CX-3 1.5L Plus has a redesigned front grille flanked by two all-LED headlights with model-specific DRL and lighting signature. This small SUV retains its sporty side profile that features intricate shoulder lines and the 16-inch alloy wheels this base model rides on.

At the rear, the CX-3’s LED combination taillights with its dual tailpipes and the small rear spoiler complete the overall sporty look of the car. Further accentuating its sportiness is the signature Soul Red Crystal hue our tester draped in, which is just one of the many examples of Mazda’s premium colourway options offered to this small SUV.

Yes, one can argue that the CX-3 may look ‘dated’ at times, but you can’t deny the great job Mazda did in designing this compact SUV in the first place. Even after a decade, the CX-3 looks as sporty as it was on day one.

2. Decent Level Of Kit Despite ‘Entry-Level’ Status

One of the most important things BAuto did for the newly-updated CX-3 is enhancing its kit list. As a result, this supposedly ‘ageing’ SUV gets some much-needed modern tech amenities, even in this baseline spec.

Further elevating life quality inside the baseline CX-3 1.5L Plus is the addition of the new 8-inch infotainment display that now supports both Android Auto & Apple CarPlay.

The biggest highlight is the new 8-inch infotainment screen that now supports wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto support. Typical of any Mazda model, this screen can only be operated using the dedicated control dial located at its central console.

For the entry-level 1.5L Plus variant, the new infotainment head unit is paired with a semi-digital metre cluster that is quite intuitive, despite not being fully digital.

As for the upholstery, this entry-level CX-3 still makes do with two-tone fabric seat covers that feels quite premium and nice compared to some faux leathers used by segment rivals. Moreover, the CX-3 still gets some plush soft-touch materials at some key touchpoints of the cabin, albeit the usage is not as elaborate as what we saw on other, more premium Mazda models.

Unfortunately, there are some signs of age here, notably being the CX-3’s analogue climate control panel that still uses dials. While some may complain about the absence of dedicated A/C vents for its rear passenger space, we’d argue that such an addition might be unnecessary, given the small footprint of the car.

3. It Still Drives Like A Mazda!

Decent driving dynamics has always been the biggest key selling point for any Mazda, and we’re glad to report that this supposed ‘entry-level’ model also excels at this front despite its 'modest’ powertrain setup.

Powering the baseline CX-3 1.5L Plus is a tried and tested 1.5-litre 4-cyl nat-asp Skyactiv-G petrol mill that churns out 114 HP and 149 NM. This setup powers the CX-3’s front wheels (FWD) via a six-speed Skyactiv Drive automatic gearbox that comes with paddle shifters—something that you don’t get to see in many small SUVs of such.

Power output may seem lacklustre, though we find that the 1.5-litre Skyactiv-G mill boasts enough beans to power this small and relatively lightweight SUV. We only wished the same applied to the six-speed box’s levels of refinement - it does feel a tad sluggish compared to similar units primed in other Mazda models.

Despite its mild powertrain setup, the CX-3 is still a delightful car to drive around sharp turns and fast corners.

As for handling, the CX-3 is perhaps the sportiest out of the trio of Mazda SUVs we’ve tested prior, so much so that it feels like you’re driving a hatchback rather than a lifted crossover. Thanks to its small stature and Mazda’s proprietary G-Vectoring Control system, the CX-3 feels very nimble and agile, especially around sharp turns and fast corners.

The CX-3 stood as the sportiest out of the three Mazda SUVs.

Naturally, all the sporty goodness comes with a toll, as the CX-3 does make do with a slightly harsher ride compared to its stablemates. However, this is no alarming deal-breaker like many other sportscars out there. If we were to rank the Mazda SUV trio in terms of driving dynamics, we’d put the CX-3 as the sportiest of the three, whilst the larger - and pricier -  CX-5 predictably stands as the comfiest, and the CX-30 strikes a perfect balance between the two.

Overall, despite the entry-level moniker and ‘modest’ powertrain setup, the CX-3 proves to be a very delightful small SUV to drive, and it truly deserves the Mazda name that it proudly carried for the last ten years.

4. It’s Respectably Safe!

Small SUVs, especially entry-level ones, are always susceptible to having subpar safety features compared to their bigger and fancier counterparts.

The 2023 update sees the CX-3 gaining some ADAS functions, which is present in the baseline 1.5L Plus model.

Fortunately for the CX-3, the recent update sees the baseline 1.5L Plus variant gaining basic active safety features courtesy of the Mazda i-Activsense ADAS suite. Included here are key functions such as High Beam Control (HBC), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA), and Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)—the latter is still absent in some of its top-spec rivals!

Also present here are some key passive safety features such as six airbags (one of the most in its segment), both traction (TCS) and stability (VSC) controls, keyless entry and ignition, and an electronic parking brake (EPB) with Auto Hold function — again, the latter is also absent in some of the CX-3’s key rivals.

While we’re certainly appreciating the presence of a rear-view camera monitor with sensors, the CX-3 still did not feature any forward parking sensors. Nevertheless, perhaps one can argue that it isn’t necessary for such a small car, but it’d still be good to have them nonetheless.

5. It’s Pretty Affordable For A Mazda…

And perhaps the biggest appeal of the Mazda CX-3 is that this small SUV is one of the most affordable new Mazda models you can buy today, thus opening a wider passage for average Joes to this brand.

Fully-imported (CBU) from Thailand, the baseline 2024 Mazda CX-3 1.5L is priced at RM115,720 on-the-road, which is quite a steep ask for such a small SUV. For that price, however, you’ll get Mazda’s unrivalled after-sales package, which includes a 5-year or 100,000 KM vehicle warranty and free maintenance, providing owners with an unparalleled peace-of-mind ownership experience.

Of course, there are many other affordable options and alternatives available out there, especially from the newer crop of Chinese makes that flooded our market recently. But for those yearning to own a Mazda on a budget, the CX-3 certainly makes for a more practical and sensible choice over the smaller and more compact Mazda 2 hatch it underpins.

Seeking a small, sporty SUV with decent driving dynamics and brand pedigree? Then the Mazda CX-3 will work just fine for you. But if you seek the full-on Mazda experience that delivers a perfect balance between luxury and performance, we might suggest you save up a bit more and get the Mazda CX-30 instead…

SPECIFICATIONS

2024 MAZDA CX-3 1.5L PLUS (CBU)