The 2020 Mazda CX-3 comes with all wheel drive, and front wheel drive. Available transmissions include: 6-speed shiftable automatic.The CX-3 lineup has been reduced to only the Sport trim.Many more standard advanced safety features.Added convenience features including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Pros Attractive and comfortable interior Engaging driving experience Impressive fuel economy for a crossover Good selection of available driver aids and active safety features
Cons Below-average cargo space Cramped rear seat Suspension tuning could be too firm for some
The 2020 Mazda CX-3 is stylish but impractical for a crossover SUV.
Pros Perky styling Lots of safety gear Good mpg Decent ride and handling
Cons Cramped rear seat Limited cargo room Frustrating infotainment Grand Touring is pricey
Mazda bestowed a bounty of updates during the previous model year, which include visual refreshments and additional driver assists, but the company doesn't make any significant changes to the 2020 CX-3 lineup.
Pros Drives better than its rivals, drinks less fuel than its rivals, looks better than its rivals.
Cons Back seat and cargo area are too small, coarse engine noises, can't hide harsh bumps.
Perhaps we need to stop calling these cars SUVs, because the new Mazda CX-30 is really just a Mazda 3 on stilts, and all the better for it.
Pros Excellent dynamics Interior fit and finish Audio and infotainment system Active safety features Exterior and interior design, practical, makes more sense than a Mazda 3
Cons Ride felt a tad firm (European spec) Expected price premium over the Mazda 3 Infotainment housing a little old school Fits four adults at best
Slotting into the Mazda SUV lineup in the narrow space between the subcompact CX-3 and the compact CX-5 is the new—and curiously named—CX-30. Why isn't it called CX-4? We asked Mazda: It's kind of a long story. Regardless, we like the way it looks. Mazda's designers gave it a more severely forward-canted rear window and chunkier black-plastic body cladding to help differentiate the 2020 Mazda CX-30 from its other crossover siblings.The 2020 CX-30 shares much of its mechanicals and platform with the all-new Mazda 3 sedan and hatchback, so we expect it to have a 186-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, a six-speed automatic transmission and either front- or all-wheel drive. It's possible that Mazda's new gasoline-powered compression-ignition engine—which the company calls Skyactiv-X—is likely to be available in the CX-30 at some point down the road.
Good car, the Mazda CX-30. Handles well, looks smart and has a lovely interior. But as is always the case with crossovers – the conventional car on which it’s based (in this case the Mazda3 hatchback) is the sensible buy.
Pros Good-looking, decent to drive, lovely interior.
Cons Cramped rear, old-fashioned auto.
