The CX-3 shares its competent underpinnings with the MAZDA2. Its crisp handling is courtesy of a rear torsion beam axle and front strut suspension. As in other Mazda's, SKYACTIV technology unites the CX-3's major components--engine, transmission, body and chassis.
All CX-3's are powered by a 148-horsepower, 16-valve, all-aluminum 2.0L inline 4-cylinder, which drives the front wheels through a 6-speed automatic transmission featuring manual shift and Sport modes. CX-3s return 29 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. All-wheel-drive is optional, with fuel economy numbers just slightly less, at 27 and 32 mpg, respectively.
CX-3 Sport models are nicely equipped, with 16-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, a rearview camera, remote keyless entry and push-button start, air conditioning, cruise control, Bluetooth voice-activated controls, a MAZDA CONNECT infotainment system with 7-inch touchscreen display, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, cloth seating and 60/40 split rear seatbacks. At speeds below 19 mph, Smart City Brake Support automatically applies the brakes during an emergency.
Also included on Sport models are mirrors with integrated turn signal lamps, auto on/off headlights, an adaptive front lighting system with LED headlights, and LED running lights.
Standard advanced safety features like radar cruise control and proximity warning, lane departure warning, smart braking, hill-launch assist, rearview camera, blind-spot monitoring, and more come standard as well.