Comparison - Mazda CX-3 2016 - vs - Kia Sportage SX 2017

Suv one: 

General

Other Names:

Also called:

Mazda CX-3 Maxx

Also called:

Kia KX5

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Make: 
Model: 
Average Price: 
27,114
Updated: 
01 Dec 2016
33,595
Updated: 
30 Nov 2016
Car Type: 
SUV
SUV
Drive Type: 
Front Wheel Drive
All Wheel Drive
Year: 
2016
2017
Total Seating: 
5
5
Transmission: 
6-speed Shiftable Automatic
7-speed Shiftable Automatic
Bluetooth: 
yes
yes
Heated seats: 
yes
yes
Navigation: 
yes
yes
Doors: 
5
Fuel Tank Capacity: 
12.70gals
16.40gals
Exterior Colors: 
Color: 
Ceramic Metallic
#F1F1F3
Crystal White Pearl Mica
#E6E6E8
Deep Crystal Blue Mica
#242F4F
Dynamic Blue Mica
#0688C6
Jet Black Mica
#000000
Meteor Gray Mica
#4A5575
Soul Red Metallic
#78191F
Titanium Flash Mica
#75755A
Color: 
Black Cherry
#6E7377
Burnished Copper
#97775D
Hyper Red
#A93341
Mineral Silver
#8D8D90
Pacific Blue
#3C4D5D
Snow White Pearl
#B3B2B7
Sparkling Silver
#7A797E

Expert Reviews

Expert reviews: 

The 2016 Mazda CX-3 is stylish, well-equipped, and one of the most fun-to-drive vehicles in its segment

U.S. car buyers have never before bought as many SUVs and crossover utility vehicles as they're taking home today. Now a growing segment of even smaller entries is offering new options, including the Mazda CX-3. It's the smallest crossover sold by the sporty Japanese brand, slotting neatly below the CX-5 compact SUV.

Through an alternate lens, you can view the new CX-3 as the capacious hatchback that the Mazda 3 doesn't offer. While we love Mazda's compact cars, they're hardly capable of holding four adults. The CX-3 remedies that problem, and adds optional all-wheel drive to boot. Given continuing cheap gas prices and the rising fuel efficiency of SUVs of all sizes, we suspect the CX-3 will do very well. Its sales may be closer to those of the Fiat 500X or the Mini Countryman than Honda's high-volume HR-V, but it's reasonably priced and much more capable for the usual tasks of hauling people and a whole lot of stuff. And it's fun to drive—which can't be said of the Honda or the Chevy.

Pros
Elegant, stylish exterior
Modern, attractive interior
Ample features, great optional extras
Predictive all-wheel drive system
Impressive performance and handling for the segment

Cons
No manual transmission option
Rear seat is very compact
Styling may not age well
Monochrome gauges look cheap

By: 
thecarconnection.com

Stylish, nimble and well-equipped, the 2016 Mazda CX-3 is a standout among subcompact crossover SUVs.

Although Mazda is one of the smallest automakers, it keeps cranking out excellent vehicles that stand toe-to-toe with the big boys. A case in point is the all-new 2016 Mazda CX-3. A subcompact crossover SUV, the head-turning CX-3 combines the maneuverability of a small hatchback with the extra height of a crossover. It also features available all-wheel drive, Mazda's trademark sporty handling and a stylish, well-equipped cabin with a standard touchscreen interface. All told, it's one of the nicest and most fun-to-drive vehicles in its class.

Another welcome CX-3 trait is its thrifty fuel economy. With front-wheel drive, you'll see an impressive 31 mpg in combined city/highway driving, according to the EPA, while the all-wheel-drive version still registers 29 mpg highway. That's about as good as it gets in this segment. Unlike many fuel misers, the CX-3 can also get out of its own way, providing respectable acceleration that takes some of the stress out of highway merging and passing.

Another rival worth trying is the venerable Nissan Juke, which is the quickest of the bunch in a straight line but has comparatively little interior space. They're all worthy candidates, but the 2016 Mazda CX-3 keeps them honest with its strong performance across the board.

Pros
Excellent fuel economy
Sporty handling
Quiet at speed
Attractive, high-quality interior with appealing features.

Cons
Snug rear seat
Humble cargo capacity

By: 
edmunds.com

In our ranking of subcompact SUVs, the 2016 Mazda CX-3 is one of the top-rated models. Its handling is more athletic than most, and the CX-3's fuel-economy is at the top of the class. Its cabin is replete with quality materials, and there are lots of standard features. However, the rear seats are a bit cramped, and the CX-3's cargo hold is one of the smallest in the class.

However, a fully loaded CX-3 is still competitively priced in the class, and it's less expensive than several rivals. When you factor in the CX-3's long features list and quality cabin, it's one of the best values among subcompact SUVs.

"An all-new model in the subcompact crossover segment, the 2016 Mazda CX-3 combines a well-built interior, class-best driving dynamics and a small footprint into a curvy body. Excellent fuel mileage, available all-wheel drive and numerous standard and optional features make it one of the top picks in this expanding category." -- Edmunds

"The subcompact-crossover segment is erupting like an overdue volcano-witness the new Chevy Trax, Fiat 500X, and Honda HR-V joining other wee hatchbacks on stilts, such as the Buick Encore, Jeep Renegade, Kia Soul, Mini Countryman, and Nissan Juke. Now, having spent several hours behind the wheel of Mazda's new CX-3, we think it just may be the most compelling of the bunch." -- Car and Driver

"After a few hours behind the wheel, we were quite impressed with the 2016 Mazda CX-3. It's yet another attractive, fun-to-drive, sophisticated car from Mazda. But then we realized something: Mazda already sells a great small hatchback. It's called the Mazda3. As we thought more about the new CX-3, we struggled to see any tangible benefits of stepping up to this crossover, other than the availability of all-wheel drive." -- Automobile Magazine

Pros
Exciting driving dynamics
Outstanding fuel economy
Lots of standard features

Cons
Small cargo capacity
Cramped back seats

By: 
cars.usnews.com

our Soul Red Mazda CX-3 Maxx compact SUV has become a firm favourite, serving purposefully as our office runabout during the week and doubling up nicely as a weekend warrior. We’ve trekked far and wide in the little soft-roader, racking up plenty of trouble-free clicks.

But while weekend getaways to the Hunter Valley and the south coast of NSW are fine and dandy, the CX-3 hasn’t spent a weekend serving as, let’s be honest, what it was designed to do: an inner-city assault vehicle. That’s why we decided to put it to the test in what can only be considered the Mission from Hell – an IKEA run.

research means grabbing a tape measure, folding down the CX-3’s comfy and quite spacious rear seats, and measuring the available space. With the front passenger seat extended to its most forward position, the little Mazda came in it at a touch under 180cm of available length

To be fair, that’s not the fault of the CX-3. Instead, blame for its shortcoming lies entirely on my over-ambitious shoulders in, somewhat wishfully, thinking I could squeeze a two-metre long bed into a compact SUV.

Pros
Comfortable city crawler
Nimble when needed
Reasonable load capacity
Very easy to park in confined inner-city streets
Thrifty on fuel

Cons
Engine a bit whiny in stop/start traffic
Auto gearbox not always on the money

By: 
caradvice.com.au

It's hard to find style and versatility in the same place, but the redesigned Kia Sportage delivers on both counts. You'll like the number of features that Kia has packed into this small crossover, too. It's one of our top choices for 2017.When a vehicle's been around for a few generations, as the Sportage has, its basic characteristics are usually well-established, so you know what to expect from the next one. But for the fully redesigned 2017 Sportage, Kia directly addressed two of our primary complaints about the previous model. First, the formerly cramped backseat is now remarkably roomy, to the point that a family might not need anything more. And second, the formerly firm ride is now relatively compliant.
If there's one thing that still holds the Sportage back, it's lackluster fuel economy, which we called out last year and must underscore again for 2017 despite mild improvements. This is a predictable problem, as both available engines and the mandatory six-speed automatic transmission are largely carryover items from the outgoing Sportage.

Pros
Rides smoothly over bumps
Quiet interior at highway speeds
Spacious seating front and rear
Attractive dashboard layout with many appealing features
Feels nimble around turns.

Cons
Fuel economy isn't as good as some top rivals
Relatively modest cargo capacity
Optional turbocharged engine doesn't pack a big punch

By: 
edmunds.com

We won’t call the redesigned 2017 Kia Sportage ugly, but it is an odd-looking sort of Korean Peugeot. Leading with a Gallic nose, it’s handsome enough along the sides and in back and hardly forgettable. While such bold restyling does not always guarantee notable advancements underneath, this new model is another case of the Korean manufacturer making meaningful generation-over-generation improvements.
The new front end flirts with the “quirky” label, what with its collection of seemingly disparate styling elements, including the so-called “ice cube” running lights below the headlamps.
Kia product planners note that it’s increasingly difficult to stand out in the crowded compact-crossover field, which prompted some liberation from me-too design constraints. And if quirky is the right word, well, Kia has already proved that while it might be a gamble, it’s not necessarily a liability. Consider the boxtastic Soul, Kia’s second-bestselling model.

By: 
caranddriver.com

The 2017 Kia Sportage isn’t quite the most spacious, the sharpest-performing, or the most fuel-efficient vehicle in its class. But it’s shaping up to be the one that’s just right—sporty-driving, but without a sacrifice in ride; versatile and accommodating in all the right ways; and far quieter and more refined than its predecessor.
Kia has made quite a name for itself with its Optima mid-size sedan and Sorento crossover; and now the brand has brought some of the same refinement magic that’s graced recent redesigns of thos models into the Sportage, Kia’s compact crossover model that takes on models such as the Toyota RAV4, Subaru Forester, Honda CR-V, and Ford Escape.

Pros
Quiet cabin
Standout styling
Strong turbocharged engine option
Spacious, well-designed interior

Cons
Transmission hunts on hills
Far from class-leading mpg

All-new for 2017, the Kia Sportage compact SUV is sharply dressed inside and out, boasts loads of technology, safety and comfort amenities, and continues to offer one of the best warranties in the business. As a rival to best-selling crossover SUVs such as the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 and Ford Escape, the Kia Sportage more than holds its own. Introduced over two decades ago, the Sportage is Kia's long-running nameplate, but this new, 4th-generation model is further proof of Kia’s setting the pace or at least keeping right on top of it in a competitive segment. The Sportage touts good value, great looks and a strong roster of available features, but trails others in fuel economy, especially when outfitted with the uplevel turbocharged engine.

Likes
If you want a small SUV with high style, an excellent warranty and the latest safety features like automatic emergency braking, put the Kia Sportage on your shopping list. Available features like climate-controlled seats, harman/kardon audio system and turbocharged engine can make this mainstream SUV feel like a premium one.

Dislikes
The Sportage is neither the most fuel-efficient nor most spacious compact crossover SUV. The Honda CR-V tops it in both. If you need a smaller SUV with three rows of seating, try the Mitsubishi Outlander or the Kia Sorento. If efficiency is most important, wait for the forthcoming Kia Niro hybrid.

By: 
kbb.com

Fuel

Fuel Type: 
Regular Unleaded
Regular Unleaded
Fuel Economy City USA: 
29.00mpg
20.00mpg
Fuel Economy HWY: 
35.00mpg
23.00mpg
Engine type: 
Petrol/Gas
Petrol/Gas

Engine and Performance

Valves: 
16
16
Cylinders: 
4
Inline
4
Inline
Engine Size/Displacement: 
2.00L
2.00L
Torque: 
146ft-lbs
at 2 800rpm
260ft-lbs
at 1 450rpm
Horsepower: 
146hp
at 6 000rpm
237hp
at 6 000rpm
Cam Type: 
Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Turning Circle: 
34.80Feet
34.80Feet

Convenience

Cruise Control: 
yes
yes
Door Pockets: 
yes
yes
Cupholders: 
yes
yes
Overhead console: 
yes
yes
Seatback Storage: 
yes
yes
Power Steering: 
yes
yes
Parking sensors: 
no
yes
Steering Wheel Tilt: 
yes
yes
Telescopic steering wheel: 
yes
yes
Rear View Camera: 
yes
yes
Front view Camera: 
no
no
Side view Camera: 
no
no
On steering wheel: 
Transmission, cruise and audio controls on steering wheel
Transmission, cruise and audio controls on steering wheel
More in Convenience: 
Universal remote transmitter (for garage door, security system
Keyless ignition
Destination guidance (also Turn-by-Turn Navigation)
Roadside Assistance
Destination Download

Exterior Dimensions

Length: 
168.30in
176.40in
Width: 
69.60in
73.00in
Height: 
60.90in
65.20in
Ground Clearance: 
6.20in
6.80in
Front Track: 
63.30in
Rear Track: 
63.80in
Wheel Base: 
101.20in
105.10in

Interior Dimensions

Front Head Room: 
37.60
37.60
Rear Head Room: 
37.20
37.90
Front Leg Room: 
41.70in
41.50in
Rear leg room: 
35.00in
38.20in
Front Hip Room: 
52.30in
54.30in
Front Shoulder Room: 
53.50in
57.10in
Rear Hip Room: 
49.00in
51.20in
Rear Shoulder room: 
50.40in
55.10in

Weights and capacites

Cargo Capacity: 
42.30cu.ft
60.10cu.ft
Maximum Towing Capacity un-break: 
2000lbs
Cargo Capacity with Seats in Place: 
10.10cu.ft
30.70cu.ft
Angle of Approach: 
28.00degrees
Angle of Departure: 
24.60degrees
Curb Weight: 
2809.00lbs
3997.00lbs

Instruments

External Temperature Display: 
yes
yes
Clock: 
yes
yes
Trip computer: 
yes
yes
Techometer: 
yes
yes
Compass: 
yes
yes

Power Features

Power windows: 
yes
yes
Remote Keyless doors: 
yes
yes
More Power Features: 
1 one-touch power windows
1 one-touch power windows
Heated mirrors
Hands-free entry

Seats

Rear Seat Collapsible: 
yes
yes
Front Seats Features: 
Multi-level heating passenger seat
Multi-level heating driver seat
Bucket front seats
Height adjustable driver seat
Leather/suede
8 -way power driver seat
8 -way power passenger seat
Bucket front seats
Height adjustable driver seat
Height adjustable passenger seat
Leather
Multi-level heating driver seat
Multi-level heating passenger seat
Ventilated driver seat
Ventilated passenger seat
Driver seat with power adjustable lumbar support
Rear Seats Features: 
Split-folding rear seatback
Rear ventilation ducts
Folding center armrest
Rear ventilation ducts
Reclining rear seats
Split-folding rear seatback

Suspension

Front Suspension: 
Front independent suspension
Front stabilizer bar
Rear Suspension: 
Rear stabilizer bar
Suspension Info: 
Stabilizer bar stabilizer bar
Four-wheel independent suspension

Comfort

Interior air Filtration: 
yes
yes
Climate Control: 
yes
yes
More Comfort Features: 
Leather steering wheel
Dual vanity mirrors
Turn signal in mirrors
Electrochromatic inside rearview mirror
Heated steering wheel
Leather steering wheel
Turn signal in mirrors
Dual illuminating vanity mirrors

Entertainment

DVD player: 
no
no
AM/FM Radio: 
yes
yes
Satellite radio: 
yes
yes
Video monitor: 
no
no
More Entertainment: 
Bose premium brand stereo system
7 total speakers
Auxiliary audio input and USB with external media control
4 Months of provided satellite radio service
Speed sensitive volume control
Bose premium brand speakers
3 Months of provided satellite radio service
1 subwoofer
320 watts stero output
8 total speakers
USB connection
Auxiliary audio input and USB with external media control
Harman/kardon premium brand stero system
Surround audio surround audio (discrete)

Exterior Features

Sunroof: 
yes
yes
Rear defogger: 
yes
yes
More in Glass and Roof: 
Variable intermittent wipers
Rear window wiper
Extended sunroof
Fixed glass rear sunroof
One-touch power sunroof
Privacy glass
Rear window wiper
Roof rack
Variable intermittent wipers
Alloy Wheels: 
yes
yes
Wheel size: 
18 x 7
19
Wheels more: 
Inside mounted spare tire
Temporary spare tire
Null spare wheel
All season tires
Wheel Dimensions: 
Width: 
215.00millimeters
Aspect Ratio: 
50
Width: 
245.00millimeters
Aspect Ratio: 
45
Diameter: 
R19

Safety Features

ABS: 
yes
yes
Front head airbags: 
yes
yes
Rear head airbags: 
yes
yes
Dual front side-mounted airbags: 
yes
yes
Emergency braking assist: 
yes
yes
Traction control: 
yes
yes
Child seat anchors: 
yes
yes
Front brakes: 
Front ventilated disc brakes
Ventilated front disc brakes
Stability control: 
yes
yes
Rear brakes: 
solid rear disc brakes
solid rear disc brakes
Rear door child safety locks: 
yes
yes
Daytime running lights: 
yes
yes
Engine immobilizer: 
yes
yes
Front fog lights: 
yes
yes
Dusk sensing headlamps: 
no
yes
Auto delay off headlamps: 
yes
yes
Front headrests: 
yes
yes
Rear headrests: 
yes
yes
Tire pressure monitoring: 
yes
yes
More Safety Features: 
Rear Parking Sensors
Self-leveling headlights
Post-collision safety system
Passenger airbag occupant sensing deactivation
LED headlamp
Rear center 3-point belt
Adaptive headlights
Turn signal mirrors
Rear height adjustable headrests
Rear height adjustable headrests
Turn signal mirrors
Passenger airbag occupant sensing deactivation
Remote anti-theft alarm system
Pre-collision safety system
Xenon high intensity discharge headlamp
Emergency Service

Options

Exterior Options: 
Mud Guards
Cross Bars
Bumper Applique
Paint Protection Package
Wheel Locks
Snow White Pearl Paint
Interior Options: 
Cargo Tray
Interior Light Kit
Interior Light Kit
Cargo Mat
Cargo Net
Cargo Cover
SX Brown Leather Interior
SX Cool Grey Leather Interior
SX Beige Leather Interior

Colors

Interior Colors: 
Color: 
Black
#141A1D
Color: 
Beige, leather
#BD9A7F
Black, leather
#070707
Brown, leather
#393129
Gray, leather
#A0A0A0
Grey, leather
#6A6A6A