[Kanban]

They seem to enjoy it, the commenteriat seem equally enthused..

Looking smart is half the battle won for a titchy crossover, but the CX-3 holds cabin space, well-judged equipment and good handling to help strengthen its case, despite the price: the cheapest CX-3 comes loaded with toys like touchscreen-nav, cruise control, heated electric mirrors and 16-inch alloys, but costs from £17,595. Bold move. A fully-loaded automatic diesel CX-3 sporting all-wheel drive, LED lights and intelligent wipers knocks on the door of £25k.

It's a crowded class, this jacked-up supermini game, but even with that price tag and those noisy engines, Mazda has stormed into the mix with a proper contender.

First drive: Mazda CX-3 - BBC Top Gear

 

[Jay]

Had a feeling they would, a lot of publications and people of the general public are. Mazda really made their mark in the segment with the CX-3

 

[CXIII]

they make a good point about styling:

Boot space pitches in at 350 litres, but our main bugbear is a side-effect of the styling.

 

[HelloThereCX3]

they make a good point about styling:

There will always be a balance that needs to be found between styling & practicality.

I don't think it's a deal killer for many: looks wins most of the time over logistics. & the safety sensors & cams this thing has is more than enough for the average driver to eliminate those blind spots.

 

[Stevecrz2cx3]

Just saw in Top Gears latest awards magazine that the CX3 won their award for "Urban Warrior" it said that the cx3 shared some of the characteristics that made the Mx-5 fun

 

[VANDAL]

pretty bang on review, esp regarding the back-portion "bounce" going over bumps (sometimes feeling even springy)

as a very critical consumer, I find it very hard to fault the CX-3. from the dozen or so cars I've owned in the past, this is probably the only car that I've felt was the best purchase yet.

 

[jetydosa]

For people that actually enjoy driving (Top Gear guys of course do), there isnt a car even close in its segment.

 

[st3v3cx-3]

There will always be a balance that needs to be found between styling & practicality.

I don't think it's a deal killer for many: looks wins most of the time over logistics. & the safety sensors & cams this thing has is more than enough for the average driver to eliminate those blind spots.

Have to agree. However, as the CX-3 is the first car I've had with a rear camera, after 3 weeks I've still not got the hang of using it when reversing and keep relying on the parking sensors and looking over my shoulder. I guess eventually it'll click

 

[st3v3cx-3]

The Top Gear New Car Guide 2016 gives it an overall verdict score of 8/10 which is rarely achieved unless it's a supercar or Porsche being reviewed. I think it also gets Editor's Choice in the class. It summarises the verdict saying :-

For: Great-looking mini crossover that's not just a pretty face: it's got real substance
Against: Pity the interior quality lacks substance

Interior finish apart, the CX-3 is a winner. Straight to the top of the class.


That'll do me

 

[Geezer]

They had me up to the point where they laud the fact that the seats can go really low. Me? I love the bar stool perch feeling of being in a high and commanding position behind the wheel, not hunched down peering over the steering wheel!