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2018 Mazda CX-3

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Make
Mazda
Model
CX-3
Year
2018
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Mazda CX-3 OEM Exterior Primary Photo
OEM Interior Primary
OEM Exterior Standard
OEM Exterior
OEM Interior
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Expert Rating
Unavailable

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

Select a Trim
Select a Trim
2018 Sport 4dr Front-Wheel Drive Sport Utility
most popular
Price:   -  From $20,110
2018 Sport 4dr All-Wheel Drive Sport Utility Price:   -  From $21,360
2018 Touring 4dr Front-Wheel Drive Sport Utility Price:   -  From $22,195
2018 Touring 4dr All-Wheel Drive Sport Utility Price:   -  From $23,445
2018 Grand Touring 4dr Front-Wheel Drive Sport Utility Price:   -  From $25,165
2018 Grand Touring 4dr All-Wheel Drive Sport Utility Price:   -  From $26,415

Overview

Despite being one of the newest entries in the compact crossover segment, the Mazda CX-3 has already carved a name for itself with its edgy exterior, peppy powertrain, and sporty handling. While the CX-3 may have a similar ride height to its competitors, Mazda's engineers have found a way to make the vehicle behave like a tall hatchback, making it a standout option in a rapidly-expanding segment.

What's New for 2018

The most substantial change for the 2018 CX-3 is the addition of Mazda’s Smart City Brake Support system – forward collision warning with low-speed automatic emergency braking to the layman – as standard across the entire range of trims. It was optional on the range-topping Grand Touring trim last year and can automatically apply the vehicle’s brakes at speeds below 19 miles per hour.

In addition to the new safety system, the CX-3 gets the automaker’s G-Vectoring Control, which, according to Mazda, should improve the crossover’s handling. But Mazda didn’t stop there, as the automaker revised the chassis and steering for improved handling, sound suppression, and comfort, as well.

The CX-3 also gets a few new features, including a full-color head-up dipslay, a heated steering wheel, and a power driver’s seat with memory settings. Pricing for the CX-3 has increased modestly, with the entry-level front-wheel-drive Sport trim starting at $21,050 (all prices include the $940 destination fee), an increase of $150 over the previous model that started at $20,900.

Mazda CX-3

Choosing Your Mazda CX-3

All CX-3 trims are powered by 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 146 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque. The engine is matched to a six-speed automatic gearbox with manual-shift and a Sport mode. Available in either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, CX-3 trims that send their power to the front wheels are capable of returning up to 29 miles per gallon in the city, 34 on the highway, and 31 combined. All-wheel-drive trims get two mpg less than their two-wheel-drive counterparts.

Featuring Mazda’s “Kodo” design philosophy, all CX-3 trims have the same exciting look, although its stylish lines come at the expense of cargo space. The CX-3's tiny trunk is only capable of holding up to 12.4 cubic feet of cargo behind the second row, barely half of some competitors.

The CX-3 is available in there different trims.

Mazda CX-3

Sport

The CX-3 Sport starts at $21,050 for front-wheel drive, while opting for all-wheel drive raises the price to $22,300. The Sport trim is lightly equipped, power windows, power door locks, push-button start, cloth seats, a seven-inch color touch screen, six-speaker audio system, and a rear-view camera. Like we said, it's lightly equipped.

And it doesn't get much better, either. Aside from the usual array of dealer-installed accessories and three lovely shades of premium paints – the $200 Snowflake White and the $300 Soul Red and Machine Gray – there's no real way to elevate the CX-3's price without stepping up to the next trim.

Mazda CX-3

Touring

The CX-3 Touring is priced at $23,135 for front-wheel drive, while the all-wheel-drive system is an additional $1,250.

The mid-level trim replaces the Sport’s 16-inch alloy wheels with larger, 18-inch ones, while leatherette and Lux Suede upholstery replace the cloth. Other standard features on the Touring include: automatic climate control, rain-sensing windshield wipers, auto on/off headlights, heated front seats, heated side mirrors, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and passive entry with push-button start.

The only available package for the Touring trim is the Preferred Equipment Package ($1,410), which was previously known as the Premium Package, and adds a seven-speaker Bose audio system, a moonroof, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a cargo cover.

Mazda CX-3

Grand Touring

The top-of-the-line Grand Touring trim costs $26,105 with power going to the front wheels, while the all-wheel-drive version is priced at $27,355. The GT adds leather seats, navigation, LED headlights, foglights, and daytime running lights, paddle shifters, and a head-up display as standard.

The GT Premium Package ($1,435) introduces the real goodies, including adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, full-speed automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams, a six-way driver’s seat, a heated steering wheel, traffic sign recognition, power driver’s lumbar support, and a two-position driver memory seat.

CarsDirect Tip

With the addition of Smart City Brake Support as standard on all trims, the base CX-3 Touring now becomes the most attractive trim out of the entire lineup. Spending an additional $1,250 for all-wheel drive is a worthwhile purchase, as it brings Mazda’s G-Vectoring Control with it and all-year usability.

Get your price on a Mazda CX-3 »

author image
Automotive Editor
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Expert Review

Expert Rating
Unavailable

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

author image
Automotive Editor

First came compact crossovers, but those weren’t small enough for some, so automakers took it a step further and created subcompact crossovers. These tiny people haulers take everything that makes a crossover great – additional ride height and some off-road capabilities, without compromising that car-like feel – and placed them in an easier-to-handle package.

Having debuted in 2016, the Mazda CX-3 is a relative newcomer to the world of subcompact crossovers. It rides atop the bones of the new Mazda2, which is no longer sold here in the US, and like most Mazda models, it combines usefulness and a compact footprint with the zoom-zoom personality the automaker is known for.

Best Value

The 2018 Mazda CX-3 is a great value across the board, which has become Mazda’s goal as of late. But for buyers who are focused solely on bang for the buck, the base Sport trim is an excellent choice.

With the Sport trim, which rings in at $21,050 ($940 destination fee included), you not only get the 146-horsepower 2.0-liter engine that is well balanced for this small crossover, but it also offers plenty of unexpected features, like 16-inch alloy wheels, push-button start, cruise control, a 7-inch touchscreen, a six-speaker sound system, and more. On top of that, it also comes with standard automatic emergency braking at speeds under 19 mph.

Though we recommend the Sport trim for value shoppers, our tester was the range-topping Grand Touring trim, which gave us all the bells and whistles at a premium price for this segment. On top its standard features, it included the Premium Package ($1,839), which added driver’s seat memory, six-way power front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, an active driving display, and windshield wiper de-icers.

  • Model: Mazda CX-3 Grand Touring AWD
  • Engine: 2.0-Liter Four-Cylinder
  • Output: 187 hp / 185 lb-ft
  • Transmission: Six-speed automatic
  • Drivetrain: All-wheel drive
  • Fuel Economy: 23 City / 30 Hwy
  • Options: Premium Package ($1,435, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, six-way power driver's seat with memory function, a heated steering wheel, and traffic sign recognition)
  • Base Price: $21,050 (including $940 destination fee)
  • Best Value Price: $33,785

Performance Pros

  • Bred to deliver tight performance in the corners
  • Engine is well balanced for highway speeds
  • Traditional six-speed automatic is refreshing
  • Solid fuel-economy ratings -- even with all-wheel drive

Performance Cons

  • Engine struggles at lower speeds
  • Ride can get a little bumpy

Interior Pros

  • So many available features for its class
  • Surprisingly generous with its standard equipment
  • Outward vision is great, especailly with such a long hood

Interior Cons

  • Infotainment system can be a little confusing at times
  • Adults and teens won't appreciate the limited rear headroom and leg room
  • Just 12.4 cubic feet of cargo room with the rear seats up
  • Styling doesn't match the sharp exterior looks

Our Favorite Thing

The zippy nature of the 2018 CX-3 is a thing of beauty. Mazda is known for crafting some of the most fun cars to drive, but this tiny crossover was a pleasant surprise. It’s no straight-line monster, but zipping through the twisty stuff is a pleasure.

Our Least Favorite Thing

Its 35 inches of rear leg room is inadequate, but it gets even worse with the optional driver’s seat memory. When I turned the car off, the driver’s seat slid rearward, making it easier to get in and out. While this is great for the driver, it made rear seat ingress even tougher. Getting my son into his car seat with the seat back like this was very frustrating.

Right For

The perfect 2018 CX-3 buyer is one who plans to haul around just a single passenger, if any passengers at all. Sure, it can handle rear-seat passengers, but its limited leg room and headroom make this an unfavorable experience.

Wrong For

Large families will find the limited rear seat room and the lack of cargo room impossible to overcome.

The Bottom Line

The CX-3 is a great crossover for a young buyer looking to haul around a friend or two over the weekend but fly solo throughout the week. With its incredible fuel economy -- even with all-wheel drive -- the CX-3 will also help save this owner some cash without buying a hybrid model.

Buyers looking to use the rear seats on a more regular basis may want to move up to a larger class of crossovers, like the Toyota RAV4 or the Ford Escape, as most of the CX-3’s competitors have the same shortcomings.

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Specs & Features

Highlights
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
2.0L I-4 / 146 HP / 146 ft.lbs.
Transmission
6-spd sequential shift control auto w/OD
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Highway/Combined
29 / 34 / 31 Mpg
Passenger Capacity
5
Bumper to Bumper Warranty
36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Mechanical Specs
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
2.0L I-4 / 146 HP / 146 ft.lbs.
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Hwy/Combined
29 / 34 / 31 Mpg
Brakes
4-wheel Disc
Front Suspension
Strut
Rear Suspension
Semi-independent Torsion Beam Beam
Spare Tire And Wheel
Compact Steel
Fuel Tank
12.7 Gal.
Recommended Fuel Type
Regular Unleaded
Average Cost To Fill Tank
$48
Dimensions & Capabilities
Maximum Cargo Volume
44.5 Cu.ft.
Passenger Volume
88 Cu.ft.
Exterior Length
168.3 "
Exterior Width
69.6 "
Exterior Height
60.7 "
Front Headroom
38.4 "
Rear Headroom
37.2 "
Front Legroom
41.7 "
Rear Legroom
35.0 "
Front Shoulder Room
53.5 "
Rear Shoulder Room
50.4 "
Front Hip Room
Rear Hip Room
Curb Weight
2,809 Lbs.
Wheel Base
101 "
Turning Radius
17.4 '
Exterior Features
Door Count
4 Doors
Wheels
16.0 " Silver Aluminum / 16.0 " Gray Aluminum / 18.0 " Silver W/painted Accents Aluminum / 18.0 " Gray Aluminum / 18.0 " Silver Aluminum
Paint
Clearcoat Monotone / Metallic Monotone / Pearlcoat Monotone
Exterior Mirrors
Dual Power Remote
Bumpers
Body-colored / Body-colored With Metal-look Insert / Front Body-colored
Grille Moldings
Black W/chrome Accents
Rear Spoiler
Lip
Exhaust
Stainless Steel With Chrome Tailpipe Finish
Interior Features
Seating
Passenger Capacity
5
Seat Trim
Cloth
Front Seat Type
Bucket
Heated Front Seats
Front Driver Seat Direction Controls
6-way
Front Passenger Seat Direction Controls
4-way
Front Armrests
6-way
Rear Armrests
Rear Seats
60-40 Bench
Radio & Infotainment
Radio
Am/fm, Seek-scan
Speakers
6
Radio Steering Wheel Controls
Apple Car Play
Android Auto
Bluetooth w/ Hands-Free Connectivity
Convenience Features
Steering Wheel Type
Telescopic Tilt
Climate Control
Cruise Control
With Steering Wheel Controls
Sun Roof
Rearview Mirror
Day-night / Auto-dimming Day-night
One Touch Open Window
Driver
Tinted Windows
Light
Vanity Mirrors
Remote Keyless Entry
Keyfob (all Doors)
Power Outlets
1
Safety Features
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Overall Front Crash Safety Rating
Overall Side Crash Safety Rating
Rollover Crash Safety Rating
Front Impact Airbags
Driver And Passenger
Driver Side Impact Airbags
Seat Mounted
Knee Airbag
Passenger Side Impact Airbag
Seat Mounted
Rear Side Airbag
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Front
Anti-Lock Brakes
4-wheel Anti-lock Brakes (abs)
Forward Collision Warning
Smart City Brake Support Forward Collision Mitigation
Blind Spot Sensor
Lane Departure Warning
Autonomous Cruise Control
Pedestrian Detection
Driver Attention Alert
Daytime Running Lights
Auto High Beams
Adaptive Headlights
Parking Sensors
Rear
Security Systems
Panic Alarm
Ignition Disable
Immobilizer
Warranty
Bumper To Bumper Months Miles
36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Major Components Months
60 Months / 60,000 Miles
Included Maintenance Months
Roadside Assistance Months
36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Corrosion Perforation
60 Months / Unlimited Miles
Accessories Months
36 Months / 36,000 Miles

Used 2018 Mazda CX-3 for Sale

1 vehicles found within 100 miles of your area
Mazda
Touring
Color: Jet Black Mica
Price

$18,750

Mileage

48,041 mi

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Star Mazda (17 mi)

Phone: (818) 247-1903

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$16,494

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