As luck would have it, I picked up the 2019 Mazda CX-3 GT AWD the day of our first snowstorm in Toronto. In a little over 10 centimetres of snow, the CX-3, armed with its all-wheel-drive system, soldiered through the nasty road conditions with more assurance than I expected it to have. It was surprisingly sure-footed in the loose snow, even in the corners where I thought not even the AWD would be able to keep the front and back in check.
As the snow cleared in the following days, I also got to test what the 2.0L, four-cylinder SKYACTIVE engine is capable of. When you look at the (relatively) small performance numbers, at 148 horsepower and 146 lb.-ft. of torque, it’s hard to imagine that the CX-3 is that exciting to drive.
But we’re talking about the company that makes the car with the best fun-to-power ratio on the market, namely the MX-5. Leave it to Mazda to keep small numbers interesting. The beauty of getting into a Mazda is that the experience at the wheel is driver-centric — if you’re at the wheel, you’re the star of this show.
I found the performance plentiful as is but there is a Sport mode available should you want to liven things up. The one thing I don’t like about it, however, is how high the engine is set to rev before changing gear. I’ve had to reach 5,000rpm for the transmission to upshift on its own which is a high number for such a small engine. I tried forcing an upshift using the paddle shifters but after a few seconds, the transmission would switch back to the lower gear and kick up the revolutions. It was bizarre and unsettling, to say the least.
Between the snow and my enthusiastic style of driving mainly in the city, the little SKYACTIVE block averaged 8.9L/100km — the NRCan average in the city is 8.6, so that’s close enough and good enough for an urban setting.
If you prefer a softer ride, you might be disappointed with the Mazda. The CX-3 has a fairly stiff suspension compared to other models in the segment due to its slightly sportier penchant. I personally prefer a more responsive suspension but I can see how people looking to get into the segment might look for. It’s designed to keep the drive fun and is destined for drivers who want the versatility of a crossover without compromising on sportiness.
As for space, Kodo might make the car look great, but it cuts down on habitable space. The sloping roofline limits the headroom at the back and the legroom might come in short for bigger passengers. If everyone in the car is on the shorter side, everyone should be happy.
It’s also well-priced within the segment. The price range opens up at $21,045 which gets you in an entry-level, front-wheel-drive CX with, interestingly enough, a manual transmission. Adding the all-wheel drive to the base model — which means also switching to an automatic transmission — adds $5,000 to the bill.
Frankly, it can look like a lot of money, but after experiencing how well the system works, I wouldn’t go without, not in a country of snow like ours. A small crossover that’s both fun to drive, that’s practical, and that won’t get stuck in the snow? Yes, please.
The specs
Model: 2019 Mazda CX-3 GT AWD
Engine: 2.0L, I-4,148 horsepower
Transmission: six-speed automatic, all-wheel-drive
NRCan rating (L/100km city/highway): 8.6/7.4
Length: 4,274 mm
Width: 1,767 mm
Wheelbase: 2,570 mm
Weight: 1,355 kg
Price: base, $21,045 as tested, $33,890 including freight
Competition: Ford EcoSport, Hyundai Kona, Toyota C-HR, Honda H-RV, Mitsubishi RVR, Nissan Kicks, Chevrolet Trax
Standard equipment: 7” colour touchscreen display with Mazda Connect, AM/FM/HD radio with 6 speakers, USB ports (2) and auxiliary audio input jack, Steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, Bluetooth with Audio Profile, Navigation-ready (requires navigation SD-card accessory), Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, SMS text message function, Rearview camera (wide angle), Keyless entry, Push Button Start, Air conditioning with manual climate controls, Steering-wheel-mounted cruise controls, Dynamic Stability Control, Traction Control System, Hill Launch Assist, Advanced Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Traffic Alert
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