Mazda CX-3

The official distributor of Mazda vehicles in Malaysia, Bermaz Motor, has launched the new Mazda CX-3, upgraded for the 2024 model year.

Fully-imported (CBU - Thailand), the B-segment SUV (compact crossover) comes in three variants (1.5 Plus, 2.0 Plus, 2.0 High).

Prices (OTR, w/o insurance) start from MYR 115,720, MYR 126,159, and MYR 139,159, respectively. 

Each purchase comes with a five-year/100,000 KM manufacturer’s warranty, and a five-year/100,000 KM free maintenance program.

Seven exterior colours. Soul Red Crystal, Machine Grey, Snowflake White Pearl, Polymetal Grey, Platinum Quartz (2.0 High), Jet Black, and Aero Grey. 

The new CX-3 has a tiered-cascading dashboard design, practical and premium-looking with high levels of craftsmanship. 

Blending soft- and hard-touch panels, it sees black leather with silver trimmings and red accents.

Button accessibilities for the systems and the overall layout are well put, driver oriented and non-cluttered with easy reachability.

Fitted is a 4.6-Inch Colour TFT-LCD Standard Display instrument cluster (digital tachometer - 1.5 Plus, 2.0 Plus, analogue tachometer - 2.0 High).

Variant 2.0 High adds on an Active Driving Display (Heads-Up Display (HUD) - colour). 

Numerous storage areas. E.g., side door and back seat pockets, glove box, partitioned and caverned centre console spaces, and armrest pockets.

Installed are two USB ports, one 12 V socket, and one wireless charger (2.0 High).

Accessing its manually-operated tailgate, opens up to 350-Litres of boot space.

Weighing in at 1,259 KG (1.5 Plus), 1,296 KG (2.0 Plus) and 1,307 KG (2.0 High), the new CX-3 stands at 4,275 MM long, 1,765 MM wide, 1,535 MM tall, and with a wheelbase spanning 2,570 MM.

A sleek profile, it parades a refined exterior with clean surfaces, making up seamless character lines around its short-overhangs.

The front-end gets a new Mazda silver wing trim, a Mazda horizontally-slatted black grille, and a sporty lower central air-intake. 

Filling-in the layout are black lower body claddings (bumper, fenders, sides).

Sportily minimalistic, it has a rear-end that is solid and rounded, with flowing lines and toned quarter panels.

Fitted is a sleek roof-edge spoiler, a shark fin antenna, and black lower body claddings (bumper, fenders, sides).

Sharp and slim, the headlamps are full LED units, with Signature Illumination, LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL), High Beam Control (HBC), and automatic On/Off and levelling functions. 

Variant 2.0 High adds on a set of vertically-fitted LED fog lamps.

Angular and wrapped-around, the tail lamps are LED combination units with Signature Illumination. Accompanying the layout is a set of bulb fog lamps.

The body-coloured side mirrors are electronically-powered (auto-fold, adjust) with turn indicators, auto-dimming function (2.0 High), and Blind Spot Monitors (BSM). 

Variants 1.5 Plus and 2.0 Plus get a set of 16-Inch multi-spoke alloy rims, wrapped in 215/60 R16 tyres. 

Variant 2.0 High fits a set of 18-Inch multi-spoke alloy rims, wrapped in 215/50 R18 tyres.

Passive safety comprises six airbags (driver-passenger, front side, front-rear curtain), seat belts (anchors, reminders, pre-tensioners), ISOFIX (anchors, top tethers), auto-dimming rear-view mirrors (exterior, interior - 2.0 High), front parking sensors (four – 2.0 High), rear parking sensors (four), parking cameras (reverse with guideline - 1.5 Plus, 2.0 Plus, 360-degree view monitor - 2.0 High), engine-immobiliser with anti-theft system, auto-door-lock, and walk-away-lock.

Installed is an 8.0-Inch Mazda Connect capacitive touchscreen infotainment system that supports multi-function commander control, voice recognition, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay (wireless) and Android Auto, and navigation.

Sound is channelled via a six-speaker setup.

Harbouring in the new CX-3 is Mazda’s SkyActiv-G powertrain, featuring variant-specific displacements.

Variant 1.5 Plus gets a 1.5-Litre, naturally-aspirated, four-cylinder 16-valve, DOHC with VVT petrol engine, producing 114 HP at 6,000 RPM and 149 NM of torque at 4,000 RPM.

Variants 2.0 Plus and 2.0 High get a 2.0-Litre, naturally-aspirated, four-cylinder 16-valve, DOHC with VVT petrol engine, producing 154 HP at 6,000 RPM and 206 NM of torque at 2,800 RPM. 

Mated to the setups is a SkyActiv-Drive six-speed automatic with manual shift mode transmission.

The fuel tank capacity is 48-Litres.

The new CX-3 has Mazda Advanced Keyless Entry with engine Start/Stop button, automatic walk-away-lock function, Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold, single-zone automatic air-conditioning (rear air-vents), steering wheel (column adjustments, paddle shifters, multi-function, EPS), wireless charger, Apple CarPlay (wireless), electronically-powered seats (driver with memory - 2.0 High), auto-dimming rear-view mirrors (exterior, interior - 2.0 High), parking sensors (four - front (2.0 High), four - front, rear), parking cameras (reverse with guideline - 1.5 Plus, 2.0 Plus, 360-degree view monitor - 2.0 High), Blind-Spot Monitor (BSM), automatic headlamps (On/Off, levelling), automatic wipers (intermittent, rain sensing), and interior illumination.

Spacious and comfortable, the ride quality is good with a handling that is more refined and sturdier, courtesy of the SkyActive-Body. 

Installed in the SkyActiv-Chassis is a suspension setup of MacPherson struts (front) and torsion beam (rear). 

Aiding the drive is the Mazda G-Vectoring Control Plus (GVC Plus) technology.

Sound insulation is adequate with all the NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) aspects accounted for. 

The cabin is able to suppress unwanted wind, road and tyre noises well, and make them barely noticeable. 

The new 2024 Mazda CX-3 is well equipped with enhancements. Notably, to its driving dynamics, comfort and convenience.

Quality of the equipment and materials installed, inside and outside of the car really impresses with the upscale, mature design and restrained detailing. 

Overall, it is a pretty decent crossover SUV that offers good fuel economy, advanced safety features, refined ride quality and a stylish body design altogether.