What has changed, you might ask; The product enhancements include the Mazda MZD Connect infotainment screen which will increase from 7-inch to 8-inch (available in the Dynamic, Individual and Hikari models).

For better safety, seatbelt warnings are introduced on the rear seats as well.
The updated CX-3 will also include wireless charging on the Individual AT and Hikari AT models, which allows smartphones to charge easily by simply placing them on the console.

There’s also a new colour “Platinum Quartz” that will be introduced to the overall CX-3 range while the model line-up will remain unchanged with its 6 derivatives.

The Mazda CX-3 is a subcompact SUV that has been in production since 2015. We recently test drove the CX -30 but rest assure that these are two different models and I believe this subcompact SUV will impress even the biggest sceptic. This 2021 model has a much shaper and more sleek front design compared to the previous models. The crossover design has a striking beauty that you really can’t contest.

For our long test of the Mazda CX-3 we received the car in Mazda’s newly developed paint called Polymetal Grey of which I’m a fan of. The colour is different and just helps you engage with the car more than you normally would, if that makes sense. Not much has changed on the exterior of the car expect the new pain colour that compliments the car exceptionally well.

The fun starts in the interior of the vehicle, as it sees the most change more so on the tech end. The vehicle has been updated with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, the updated multimedia system and head-up display and blind spot monitoring. The car also has a rear cross traffic alert which lets you know of potential hazards when reversing. This uses the rear mounted radar sensors. Rear parking sensors and reverse camera have been installed with an audible alarm to assist the driver when reversing.

Our test vehicle was also fitted with a sunroof of which adds so much to the general aesthetic of the car of which I love. The interior design is definitely my favourite part of the car as it boasts a great BOSE sound system and well-designed leather seats and panels.

The use of high-end leather adds such great comfort and luxury to this subcompact SUV. I guess this is definitely something I enjoy about Mazda. Their uncompromised interiors. They understand that as a driver of the car you spend lots of time in it and the comfort and great design will go a long way.

The engine of the Mazda CX-3 is not the most desirable part of this vehicle as it to lack considerably when it comes to performance. Even with the 2.0L engine that produces 115kW is underwhelming. However, when you are pacing your travels it’s seems to manage very well especially in high traffic conditions. Other subtle features I like are the electronic parking brake, power fold mirrors and cruise control.

With the Mazda CX-3 the brand does live up to the notion “a tangible sense of quality and pleasure on tight city streets” and “It’s smoother to drive, quieter and more refined.” The car does live to this testament and the Mazda has stepped up its offering by introducing a high level of luxury in a car that starts from R346 700.

Mazda also gives you a 3-year unlimited kilometre warranty, 3-year Mazda care roadside assistance and a 3-year Mazda care unlimited kilometre service plan.

With its subcompact size, the CX-3 is essentially a slightly taller and wider version of the outgoing-generation Mazda 3. In addition to being ever so slightly bigger than the Mazda 3, the CX-3 significantly offers all-wheel drive. The CX-3 isn’t a trendsetter, competing against the likes of the Hyundai Kona and Honda HR-V.

Just like other Mazda models, the CX-3 is available in Active, Dynamic, Individual and Individual Plus trims. With front-wheel drive, the CX-3 Active starts at R302 400. All-wheel drive (AWD) is available throughout the entire line-up. Our test vehicle was an Individual trim with FWD. With the incredible Titanium Flash Mica colour paint (and we like how it contrasts with the black body cladding), a few dealer-installed accessories, and the Premium Package, which adds niceties like an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, a six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and traffic sign recognition. In pictures, the CX-3 comes off as being a larger vehicle than it really is in person. In the flesh, it’s a curvy little thing that’s the perfect size.

Meanwhile, there are no surprises with the CX-3’s interior. The manufacturer’s simplistic yet upscale and refined cabin is a breath of fresh air as rivals move toward more cluttered designs. Everything is clearly labelled and positioned where you expect to find it. If you reach to turn up the heat, there’s a low chance of you missing the knob and accidentally landing on the one to get the air to blow on your face. Leather-trimmed sport seats are standard on the top two trims and really boost the CX-3’s upscale feel. The circular air vents and faux suede dashboard are a nice touch as well. I chat a bit more about this in my video review below.

While fit and finish are excellent, and material quality is well above what one would expect in a vehicle at this price point, the CX-3 feels enclosed on the inside. Its theatrical roofline severely eats into overall passenger space. The issue isn’t too bad in the front, because the passengers sit extremely low, but it’s a different story when you’re in the back. The rear seats offer just 94cm of headroom, and only 89cm of legroom. In other words, get behind someone of Papi’s height and your knees will rub sideways against the front seat.

Technology is one of the CX-3’s strong points, though it doesn’t offer an inclusive suite of advanced safety features like Toyota’s C-HR. Our test model comes with a government-mandated rearview camera, blind spot monitoring with rear cross traffic alert, and Mazda’s Smart City Brake Support system as standard. Optional features on the Individual include lane departure warning, advanced Smarty City Brake Support with pedestrian detection, a head-up display, and adaptive cruise control with stop and go.

The little gem in the CX-3 isn’t its technology, it’s how easy the tech is to use. Every CX-3 comes with a 7.0-inch touchscreen that is attached on top of the dashboard. Mazda places the controls for the infotainment system directly behind the shift knob, which is a fantastic location because your hand naturally gravitates there. Hard buttons are included for music, home, and navigation functions, while a rotary dial lets the front passengers scroll through the infotainment system’s menus. It’s a good thing the CX-3’s infotainment system is simple to use, which makes it even more of a award winning breeze when using Android Auto on it.

While the 7.0-inch touchscreen is a good size, the head-up display, while pleasant, provides an awe-inspiring amount of information on a tiny screen. It’s in charge of providing the car’s speed, lane departure warnings, information about the cruise control settings, turn-by-turn guidance, and blind spot monitoring warnings. That’s a lot of information packed into a tiny rectangle, and it becomes difficult to sort through what all the symbols means.

Mazda’s lane departure warning system deserves a mention. Instead of sounding an audible alert or sending vibrations through the steering wheel when the CX-3 drifts out of its lane, the software emits an alien-like sound through the speakers to warn the driver. It’s horrifying at first, and you’ll think something’s broken, but once you get used to it, it’s a much nicer form of feedback. A long-time champion of making cars that are fun to drive and enjoyable to live with on a daily basis, Mazda has made a crossover that shines at the former, but struggles with the latter.

The CX-3’s engine isn’t the reason you buy the car, but its driving dynamics sure are. Sprightly, agile, and full of life, the CX-3 feels more like a car than a crossover when pushed around. Zoom, zoom may be gone, but the CX-3 still knows how to get down. You won’t find this level of engagement in any of its rivals.

Mazda pushed the CX-3 too far in the direction of dynamism, and it forgot about the usability aspect. The CX-3 is unique in its segment because it handles much better than any of its rivals, and we like its user-friendly tech features, but motorists who try to stuff it with three friends and their gear for a weekend adventure will quickly discover its limitations.

While it has the looks of a crossover, the Mazda CX-3 isn’t quite sure what it wants to be – it’s clearly a car masquerading as something rugged. Despite having an attractive list of safety features, the compromise required to get those is a costly burden, especially for motorists that don’t live near a perfectly paved stretch of road that happens to be closed 24/7.