The IT Nerd

Here’s the Mazda 4 cylinder Skyactiv engine that powers the Mazda CX-3 GT compact crossover. It’s a 2.0L power plant that puts out 146 hp and 146 lb-ft of torque through a six-speed automatic gearbox that you can shift manually using the paddle shifters or the gear lever. The power gets to the ground via a fully automatic all wheel drive system that is of the slip and grip variety. When I first saw the specs, I was prepared to be underwhelmed. But I was wrong and I should have known better. Mazda consistently seems to be able to make their vehicles perform like they are more powerful than their specs suggest thanks to their Skyactiv technology. I didn’t have a problem dropping other cars off the line, nor did I have a problem merging with highway traffic or passing vehicles on the highway with ease. Though, occasionally I would have to put my foot down to make any of that happen. Thus I do wonder how the CX-3 would perform if it had Mazda’s 155 HP 2.0 engine under the hood.

It was very, very nimble and didn’t handle like a crossover as it behaved like a car. In fact, its road manners remind me of the CX-5 that I drove recently. I really have to highlight the fact that the CX-3 is easy to maneuver in an urban environment and easy to park too. That’s important given the target audience of the CX-3. The suspension fits that category as well as it was firm and responsive without punishing you on rough roads. Plus like every other Mazda I’ve tested, the steering is perfectly weighted and it is easy to figure out what the car is doing underneath you. If you really want to have more fun, click the Sport Mode switch. The CX-3 will shift quicker and the go fast pedal becomes sharper. You’ll give up some fuel economy by using it, but it makes an already great crossover even better on an open road or twisty back roads. In terms of noise, vibration, and harshness, I noted that there was only tire noise and wind noise wasn’t even noticeable unless you hit 120 KM/H. Even then, wind noise was minimal. That’s good. In terms of fuel economy, I’m currently getting 8.3L / 100KM’s in mixed city and highway driving, often in rush hour. That’s not bad and I expect it to get better as the week goes on.

Tune in tomorrow to see the interior of the Mazda CX-3 GT AWD. It’s one that will impress you with the degree of detail that went into it.

This entry was posted on June 9, 2015 at 6:27 am and is filed under Products with tags Mazda. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.