The 2017 Mazda CX-3 ranks 2 out of 12 Subcompact SUVs. The Mazda CX-3 is bursting with fun, featuring best-in-class performance and sporty handling that more resembles a car than an SUV. It has a comparatively low base price, yet the interior is marked by impressive materials and a handsome design. The CX-3 comes up short on rear passenger room and cargo space, however, which detracts from its convenience.
Pros Excellent athletic handling Class-leading fuel economy Impressive interior design Outstanding crash test results
Cons Cramped rear seat Small cargo area
Many compact crossover SUVs aren't so "compact" anymore. But the petite 2017 Mazda CX-3 might be just what you're after. It's stylish, easy to park and fun to drive. If interior space isn't a priority, this could be your ideal crossover.For 2017, the CX-3 carries over unchanged.
Pros Excellent fuel economy Sporty handling helps you have fun behind the wheel Impressively quiet at highway speeds Front seats are very comfortable and supportive Attractive, high-quality interior with appealing features.
Cons Snug rear seat and humble cargo capacity limit the CX-3's versatility.
The 2017 Mazda CX-3 keeps the most attractive features from last year: its price and its handling.Looks only tell half of the 2017 Mazda CX-3's story: The body cladding and badging on the CX-3 point toward a soft-roader based on the fun-to-drive Mazda 3, but there's more to its tale.The CX-3 earned a 7.2 overall rating on our scale, which is fairly high for the budget hatchback. We like its fuel economy and features, but it has room to improve on features and overall comfort.
Pros Ample features and good value Available all-wheel-drive system Good handling and impressive performance for segment Easy to learn infotainment
Cons No manual, paddle shifters only on top models Not a lot of rear seat room Monochrome gauges look cheap Head-up display is nice, but not very useful
The 2017 Nissan Rogue Sport is a new mini crossover vehicle that slots between the Nissan Rogue and funky subcompact Nissan Juke in terms of size. Powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and a choice of front- or all-wheel drive, we expect the 2017 Rogue Sport to be a popular pick for its pocket-size versatility.
The 2017 Rogue Sport will join Nissan's crossover lineup this year, slotting in between the subcompact Nissan Juke and the larger Nissan Rogue. The Rogue Sport is designed for those who find the Juke's interior accommodations too cramped, or are perhaps put off by its polarizing design, but also don't quite want or need something as big as the larger Rogue.
Even though they are based on the same fundamental chassis, the Rogue Sport is a foot shorter in length and 5.6 inches shorter in height than the Rogue. This makes the Rogue Sport more adept at navigating tight urban spaces, though it concedes a fair amount of rear passenger legroom and about 9 cubic feet of cargo space (22.9 cubic feet versus the Rogue's 32 cubes). Compared to the rest of subcompact crossover faction, the Rogue Sport is generous on cargo space but short on rear legroom.
The Rogue Sport comes powered by a 2.0-liter inline-four making 141 horsepower and 147 pound-feet of torque. The engine drives the front wheels through a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and is capable of distributing power to all four wheels if equipped with all-wheel drive. It rides on an independent suspension, front and rear, which helps the wheels maintain better contact with the ground and, according to Nissan, provides a sportier drive experience, according to Nissan.
