2019 Mazda CX-3 review
Mazda CX-3 highlights
Customer rating
Pros
- Comfortable and stylish interior
- Engaging driving experience
- Decent fuel economy
Cons
- Cargo space could be larger
- Rear seat feels cramped for adults
- Suspension feels too firm at times
Mileage (EPA estimate)
27 city, 32 highway, 29 combined
Pricing for current inventory
(no current inventory)
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A compact design with a touch of refinement
If you're on the hunt for a compact crossover but aren't interested in giving up the driving dynamics of a sedan, then the 2019 Mazda CX-3 might be right for you. Its fun, sporty personality comes from attractive exterior styling, a peppy engine, fast steering response, and car-like driving dynamics. The Mazda CX-3 has been refreshed with updated styling, which gives it some of the best refinement in its class. There is a single-engine option across all three trim levels and available all-wheel-drive as well, handy in less-than-ideal driving conditions. The 2019 Mazda CX-3 should provide a driving experience closer to a car than many other compact SUVs.
All Mazda CX-3 years
What is new for the 2019 Mazda CX-3?
- CX-3 trims have been upgraded with Automated Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning, Leather Seats, and Leatherette Seats as standard equipment this year.
- Heated Steering Wheel features are now available as options on select trims.
- The Sport trim now comes with Blind Spot Monitor as standard equipment.
2019 Mazda CX-3 trims
Curious how Mazda CX-3 trims differ? Use our side-by-side vehicle comparison to see the differences and similaritiesSport
The base trim of the 2019 Mazda CX-3, the Sport trim includes standard features such as push-button start, a seven-inch color touchscreen display, daytime running lights, a six-speaker audio system, and more.
Touring
The Touring trim of the 2019 Mazda CX-3 includes everything found on the Sport trim as well as a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, automatic climate control, auto on/off headlights, heated front seats, and more.
Grand Touring
The Grand Touring trim of the 2019 Mazda CX-3 includes everything found on the Touring trim as well as leather seats, a Bose® seven-speaker surround-sound audio system, a power-sliding glass moonroof, steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, and more.
Mazda CX-3 photos
5 reasons to buy the 2019 Mazda CX-3
1. High-class interior
With a design refresh for 2019, Mazda adds a lot of refinement to the interior of the CX-3. Both the cloth and leather seats (Grand Touring trim) are comfortable and supportive while the attractive piping adds to the high-class feeling of the interior. Additional sound insulation helps make the 2019 Mazda CX-3 quieter on the road than past model years.
2. Modern technology
The 2019 Mazda CX-3 is equipped with a seven-inch infotainment system as standard. Also included is an innovative dial on the center console which controls the infotainment system. Standard entertainment technology across all trims of the 2019 model year also includes Bluetooth® connectivity and Pandora® internet radio integration.
3. Standard driver aids
All trims of the 2019 Mazda CX-3 include technology like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a rearview camera. Standard on the Grand Touring trim and optional on Sport or Touring trims is adaptive cruise control, automatic forward braking, lane-keep assist, and lane departure warning.
4. Great around town
Thanks to a peppy 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine making 148 horsepower and a smooth-shifting six-speed automatic transmission, the 2019 Mazda CX-3 should be an ideal urban commuter. The CX-3 performs well in stop-and-go traffic. 2019 front-wheel-drive models with the 2.0L engine get an EPA-estimated 29 mpg city and 34 mpg highway.
5. Refined exterior
There are a lot of CUVs to choose from, but the 2019 Mazda CX-3 offers one of the most attractive and sophisticated exterior stylings in its class. LED headlights and fog lights on the Grand Touring trim look sharp at night while the grille, headlight design, and rear liftgate sport a 2019 update. New LED rear lights are standard on the Grand Touring trim and optional on all other trims.
Similar vehicles
If you're interested in the 2019 Mazda CX-3, you should also check out these similar vehicles from Previous generation years.
Mazda CX-9
The flagship SUV in the Mazda family, the 2019 Mazda CX-9 is great if you have a lot of passengers to haul. All 2019 models are equipped with a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and a six-speed automatic transmission. When equipped with front-wheel drive, the 2019 2.5L Mazda CX-9 gets an EPA-estimated 22 mpg city and 28 mpg highway.
There are four different trims to choose from on the 2019 Mazda CX-9: Sport, Touring, Grand Touring, and Signature. The top-level Signature trim offers Nappa-leather seating, a 360-degree surround-view monitor, and heated second-row seats. Like the CX-3, the 2019 Mazda CX-9 is available in either front or all-wheel drive.
Small and sporty, the Honda HR-V is a stylish compact SUV. A peppy 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with 141 horsepower should make the 2019 Honda HR-V an ideal urban commuter. There's a surprising amount of space in this compact package, like 24.3 cubic feet of cargo room behind the second row.
You can choose from five different trims of the 2019 Honda HR-V: the LX, Sport, EX, EX-L, and Touring. Both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options are also available. In 2019 models, the EX trim and higher feature the Honda Sensing® suite of driver aids, which includes adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist.
The Toyota RAV4 is a practical vehicle that's just as at home on the daily commute as it is off-roading. For 2019, the Toyota RAV4 enters its fifth generation with a whole new redesign, updated and more aggressive styling, and an eight-speed automatic transmission. A hybrid platform offers an EPA-estimated 40 mpg combined fuel economy and features all-wheel drive.
The 2019 Toyota RAV4 offers five different trims: LE, XLE, XLE Premium, Adventure, and Limited. As the name suggests, the Adventure trim gives the 2019 Toyota RAV4 off-road friendly features like bigger tires, unique exterior styling, and an orange-accented interior.
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Ratings & reliability
RepairPal gave the Mazda CX-3 an overall reliability rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Excellent. This rating ranks Mazda CX-3 2nd out of 8 among Subcompact SUVs.
View RepairPal's full rating of the Mazda CX-3Mazda CX-3 features and specs
Curious how Mazda CX-3 trims differ? Use our side-by-side vehicle comparison to see the differences and similarities
Grand Touring 2WD 4D Sport Utility
Standard Features
- ABS Brakes
- Air Conditioning
- Alloy Wheels
- AM/FM Stereo
- Automated Cruise Control
- Automatic Transmission
- Auxiliary Audio Input
- Blind Spot Monitor
- Bluetooth Technology
- BOSE Sound System
- Front Seat Heaters
- Head Up Display
- Heated Mirrors
- Lane Departure Warning
- Leather Seats
- Navigation System
- Overhead Airbags
- Power Locks
- Power Mirrors
- Power Windows
- Rear Defroster
- Rear View Camera
- Satellite Radio Ready
- Side Airbags
- Smart Key
- Sunroof(s)
- Traction Control
- Heated Steering Wheel
- Memory Seat(s)
- Power Seat(s)
Drive Wheels
Front Wheel Drive (2WD)
Engine size
2.0L
Horsepower
148
Torque (ft-lbs)
146
Engine type
Gas
Fuel capacity
12.7
Wheelbase
101.2"
Overall length
168.3"
Width
69.6"
Height
60.7"
Leg room
F 41.7"/R 35"
Head room
F 37.6"/R 37.2"
Front tires
P215/50VR18
Rear tires
P215/50VR18
Seating capacity
5
Transmission
Automatic
2019 Mazda CX-3 FAQ
The 2019 Mazda CX-3 comes equipped with a 148 hp 2.0L four-cylinder engine.
The 2019 Mazda CX-3 gets an EPA estimated 31 MPG combined city/highway when equipped with a 2.0L four-cylinder engine and an automatic transmission. Fuel economy figures are based on EPA estimates for when the vehicle sold as new. Fuel economy may vary for reasons like driving conditions and vehicle history. Unless specified, figures are for vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission. See fueleconomy.gov.
The 2019 Mazda CX-3 is a two-row subcompact SUV that is capable of seating up to five passengers.
More about the 2019 Mazda CX-3
Color options
Exterior colors:
Ceramic Metallic
Deep Crystal Blue Metallic
Eternal Blue Mica
Jet Black Mica
Machine Grey Metallic
Snowflake White Pearl Mica
Soul Red Crystal Metallic
Titanium Flash Mica
Interior colors:
Black cloth
Black leatherette
Black leather
Parchment leather
Interior details
The 2019 Mazda CX-3 features a luxurious and upscale interior that is sure to delight even the most particular automotive enthusiasts. Depending on its trim configuration, the 2019 Mazda CX-3 is outfitted with either cloth or leather seats and offers available interior styling features such as a power moonroof and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. In terms of interior space, the 2019 Mazda CX-3 offers 12.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 44.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded down.
Child seat details
The 2019 Mazda CX-3 is capable of fitting two car seats in the back row and is able to accommodate most types of car seats, including latch car seats, rear-facing convertible car seats, forward-facing convertible car seats, and booster car seats. However, the 2019 CX-3 does not easily accommodate infant car seats. As a subcompact SUV, the 2019 Mazda CX-3 is not the roomiest family vehicle on the market today, but it is still a fine choice for smaller families.
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Statements of fuel economy or EV range are based on EPA and other third-party estimates for vehicles when new. Fuel economy and EV range will degrade with time and vary based on age, driving conditions, vehicle history, and other conditions. See fueleconomy.gov for more info.
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