Shoppers looking for a subcompact SUV would do well to consider the 2019 Mazda CX-3, but beware: It comes with some caveats. Cars.com reviewer Fred Meier — also a judge in our recent 2018 Subcompact SUV Challenge — gave the CX-3 a thorough review and highlighted its pluses and minuses.
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Our reviews provide an experienced opinion, but the choice ultimately boils down to your needs and budget. With that in mind, consider five things Meier liked and three that gave him pause.
What We Liked
1. Good Looks
The CX-3 received a mild exterior refresh for 2019 and retains its good, interesting looks in a field of vehicles that Meier likens to a pair of "sensible shoes."
2. Sporty Driving
Mazda adheres to its driving philosophy even with this subcompact SUV, giving it a stiff chassis and a rev-happy 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. Ride quality struggles over bumps due to the CX-3's size, but it stops short of punishing you.
3. Un-Sporty Fuel Economy
Driving fun won't eat a hole in your wallet, thanks to the CX-3's strong EPA fuel economy ratings: 29/34/31 mpg city/highway/combined with front-wheel drive and 27/32/29 mpg with all-wheel drive.
4. Bargain Luxury
Meier also praised the interior of the CX-3 for its high-quality materials and luxurious feel, which seem more expensive than its price. (That price, by the way, is in line with fully loaded competitors that trail Mazda in cabin quality.)
5. Safety Tech
The CX-3 comes standard with a host of safety features, including low-speed automatic emergency braking, blind spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert. An optional safety package — standard on the top Grand Touring trim and available on all other models — adds higher-speed automatic braking, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, lane departure warning and adaptive LED headlights with automatic high beams.
What We Don't
1. Multimedia Tech
Despite coming off as advanced when it debuted, the CX-3's multimedia system is complex and less intuitive than many competitors' systems, and its graphics look dated. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are unavailable, too.
2. Backseat Comfort
The CX-3's price that might seem ideal for a young family on a budget, but the SUV — if you want to call it that — performed poorly in our Car Seat Check evaluations, and Meier found it didn't comfortably accommodate 6-foot-tall adults. The awkwardly shaped rear head restraints further impede comfort. Meier recommends families consider larger alternatives in the subcompact class or move up to the larger compact class with Mazda's CX-5.
3. Cargo Space
The small exterior gives way to a small interior with minimal storage space, and it's even less if the CX-3 comes with an optional Bose stereo, whose hardware saps some cargo space. This may not matter much for some shoppers, but, as with the backseat, those who want a cargo hauler will need to look elsewhere.
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