
The Mazda CX-3 is getting a small update for the 2019 model year, debuting at last week's New York International Auto Show minor exterior changes and bigger updates inside. The crossover also receives a slight bump in power over the outgoing model.
Inside, engineers removed the handbrake, replacing it with an electronic parking brake. This allowed Mazda to redesign the center console to increase available space, while designers also moved and shifted the cup holders and storage bins. Better materials pad the seats, increasing ride comfort.
Exterior changes feature a large grille and a new design for the LED taillights. The side pillars and fog-light surrounds feature piano black trim accents. Eighteen-inch wheels and Mazda's Soul Red Crystal Metallic paint are available. The changes enhance Mazda's Kodo design language that's visible across the brand's lineup.
Along with the visual changes inside and out, Mazda increased the CX-3's performance only negligibly. The outgoing 2018 CX-3 produced 146 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque from its 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, while the 2019 model adds just two of each.
The 2019 Mazda CX-3 will go on sale in the US later this spring. Expect a pricing announcement closer to the crossover's launch.