Mazda CX3: CDN PHOTO/BRIAN J. OCHOA
One of the hottest-selling segments in the automotive market today is the subcompact SUV or the small crossover category.
Mazda has its own bet in this segment. It’s called the CX3, and boy is it a tough contender in this category.
The CX3, which is built in Japan, is the athletic bet among the small crossovers in the market because of its sporty stance, comfortable interior and playful engine.
It’s sort of like the Mary Joy Tabal among its competitors. Pretty and athletic. Lean yet mean. Small but fast.
And just like the Cebuana Tabal, the country’s gold medalist in the women’s marathon in the recent Southeast Asian Games, the CX3 has everything needed to be a winner in its category.
The highlight of the CX3 is undoubtedly its exterior styling, which is more on the sporty side just like all the other Mazdas in the market today.
The unit Cebu Daily News tested was a Soul Red 2.0 all-wheel drive ACTIV variant, the top-of-the-line among the CX3s.
There are two other variants available: the entry level FWD pro and the mid variant FWD Sport.
Looking at the CX3 at a standstill is just like observing Tabal while preparing for a run. It looks like it’s always ready for some action.
And it does deliver in terms of performance, just like Tabal, who is the first Filipina to qualify for women’s Olympic marathon.
The CX3 is powered by a 2.0-liter SKYACTIV-G In-line 4-Cylinder DOHC, 16-Valve engine with i-STOP (Engine Idling Stop System). It produces 146 horsepower and 192 newton meter of torque.
Mazda CX3: CDN PHOTO/BRIAN J. OCHOA
The engine transfers its power to the wheels via a SKYACTIV-DRIVE 6-Speed Automatic transmission equipped with Sport Mode.
Inside, the CX3 feels cozy and compact. Space isn’t really a strong point but Mazda made up for this with the premium materials used in its cabin like soft-touch leather on the dashboard, piano-black trim on the shift knob area, and carbon fiber accents on the power window controls, some part of the dashboard and steering wheel. The top variant also has red stitching and accents on the door trims, seats and dashboard.
Mazda CX3: CDN PHOTO/BRIAN J. OCHOA
The CX3 shares the same platform with its athletic sibling the Mazda2 subcompact sedan.
The CX3, though, drives like a heavier Mazda2. It’s not quite as agile as the 2, but still a great performer, thanks to its all-wheel-drive feature.
So the CX3 should be a perfect vehicle for yuppies in Cebu who want to stand out and have fun.
Mazda CX3: CDN PHOTO/BRIAN J. OCHOA
We’re sure it will make some impact soon, just like how Tabal showed the nation how a petite runner from Cebu could rule the whole of Southeast Asia.
See video here:
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