
Positive Review
I had purchased a CX-5 in 2015 and was drawn to the CX-3 when it came out. I traded in the CX-5 on a Grand Touring CX-3. The vehicle is just awesome. It has finally given me a reason to drive for no reason, just to experience the excellent driving dynamics. No doubt about it, the car is small, so if hauling people or gear is important to you, look elsewhere. The styling, inside and out, is fantastic. I have so many people ogling it and asking what it is. I have only driven it about 200 miles so far, so I cannot rate its reliability. If you want an eye-catching vehicle that begs to be driven, this one might be for you. So far, I am loving every minute with this car and often go outside just to look at it.
Critical Review
3,500 miles-new transmission. 15,000 miles-corrosive conductor-no air conditioner. 23,000 miles-check engine and airbag lights are on. This car is a big disappointment!
Showing 8 of 38 reviews.
Styling, performance, safety and reliability
None
The CX-3 debuted in 2015 along with the MX-5 ND and they were both nominated for car of the year. Most people are unaware that the CX-3 is still being produced in 2026. Although 2026 will be its last year of production. Anyway I bought my 2019 CX-3 GT AWD new in 2019. It’s been a great experience, it currently has approx 52k miles and it’s been paid off since 2023! and it still feels like a new car. I’m actually having a really tough time even thinking about trading it in or selling it because it’s always been there for me and my spouse willing and ready whenever we needed it. I think most newer cars are largely built to be disposable. But Mazda’s are different they’ll last forever if you change the oil and perform basic maintenance. Mazda didn’t cheap out on the CX-3, it looks and feels premium. My CX-3 has the LED lighting pkg and it’s amazing, at night when you’re turning on a dark street the headlights turn when you turn the wheel. The (auto-brights) function was a pleasant surprise to me, and works flawlessly. The AWD system is very intuitive and yet barely noticeable, it uses sensors to detect whether or not you need it to activate and then it goes off on its own. The parchment leather seats are super comfortable and heat quickly along w the steering wheel. The 7 speaker Bose stereo has its advantages and disadvantages but it sounds great, the subwoofer is located in the center of the spare tire, below the false floor. There’s a total of 8 cup holders. And the (AUTO) climate control works great. But one of my favorite features is the Cruise Control System w auto stop and go, all I can say is that you have to try it to understand it. I get 29.1 mpg highway and 27.8 mpg city. So if you’re looking for a good looking reliable car that’s safe, and good on gas. check out the Mazda CX-3 GT
Performance, solid, and lil designed interior, lots of tech - style
Mazda’s round knob control for the infotainment isn’t the best human machine interface
Great handling, better than advertised fuel economy, comfortable and very well appointed. This still feels like a newer car than it is with is excellent acceleration and great tech for it’s category.
I've owned most brands of car and would say a Mazda purchased from the Mazda Dealership itself (when not too many years old) is highly recommended here. They themselves seem to know this car in particular needs nearly nothing done ever. Love it. I drive highways, city, and dirt roads equally and now at 250,000km I still have yet to do brakes or anything besides an oil change! I did do the recommended differential maintenance this year as it's 7 years old. The only thing I'd change is the backseat legroom. You can't really fit 3 adults let alone 3 kids. 1 dog and 1 teen yes.
Sleek looking (friends thought it looked like a Po
Stay away from mountains! Lol. Cargo snug.
Bought during covid before prices were out of range for most folk. It's sleek and fun on curves. The interior I love (Grand Touring) White leather and black retro with red leather accents. The back is a little snug, but we did do a 4 person road trip for 7 days and we got it in there. The back seat area surprisingly is roomy brother is 6'1 and said he was fine everytime I asked. We did a part mountain trip. It seemed as we were doing a very curvy climb she shifted funny and tach would hit 4, it felt like she might explode, but only a 4cyl. so you know can only do what she can do. But she survived and drove the same she always does everywhere else. Probably next time will take a V6. The whole trip 33mpg.
Ease of use, good performance, and comfortable.
lack of space in areas/ armrest unreliable.
This car performs wonderfully if maintained and treated properly. I get about 31 miles to the gallon overall and hasn't given me a single problem as of yet in reliability. The center armrest is ridiculously positioned and makes me nervous when I try to use it. It simply gets in the way of the center cupholders and sounds like you are about to break it off when touched. The front seats are extremely comfortable and I have plenty of space (I'm 5'11). Driving this is simple and when put into Sports mode, it packs a decent kick. It can keep up as my daily driver easily. The back seats are inaccessible to an adult with where I have to position my seat. I pretty much don't ever have more than 1 other person in the car with me for that reason. It has plenty of bells and whistles that I need and some more. It'll let me know if I'm safe to change lanes, shows me what's behind me clearly when in reverse, and performs reasonably for my life although I wouldn't dare trying to take this off road or try to race someone with. It good for the everyday use but not for the person wanting to take this on a crazy adventure.
Back leg room
The car excellent on gas great in all weather. Better the 4x4 I had. Best car all wheel drive for money. All the extras.
Comfortable and Reliable
Storage Space, Cupholders, Console Controls
Bought this car used in 2018, and was immediately impressed with the amount of power this thing has for a 4 cylinder. I wanted an AWD that gets excellent gas mileage, which isn't something you can find with traditional SUVs, so I opted for the CX-3. It has not disappointed on the MPG. It handles very well in all conditions, and hasn't left me stranded anywhere yet. The front seats are THE most comfortable seats I have ever experienced, and I can drive for 10 hours without the usual resulting backaches, neck stiffness, and sore rear end, etc., that I have always gotten from every other car I have ever owned. The seat fits me like a glove. I'm 5'4", so whether or not that would be true for someone taller I don't know, but it works for me. Everything about that seat is ergonomically perfect. Having radio controls etc. in a knob down by my right side took a little getting used to, and while I have the hang of it now, I really wish they would put everything back up on the dash, because the layout where the cupholders are, well. . . . . . .quite frankly, sucks, AND, having to look DOWN to see what I am doing is not particularly safe. I HATE not having a console inbetween the seats to store things, like charger cords, etc. I had thought it wouldn't be a big deal, but it is, because the developers really didn't provide much in the way of any other good storage space within the car. The door pockets are not optimal. Yeah, you can put things in there, never to be able to get to them again, unless the car door is open, and you are squatting on the ground trying to jam your arm back in the recesses to reach what has slid back there. Additionally, the positioning of the cupholders UNDER the armrest makes no sense. So I can't drink my coffee AND use the armrest at the same time (and I ALWAYS have something to drink with me when I drive anywhere). Plus the cupholders are so far back you can only realistically use the front one, since your elbow smacks into the raised armrest if you are trying to get to any cup in the 2nd cupholder. Additionally, the armrest is flimsy. Anyone putting any appreciable weight on it is going to break it. While the car overall has held up well, bits and pieces of non-essential cosmetic plastic parts started falling off of it pretty quickly, which was a tad disheartening. And I noticed the other day that the silver logo in the middle of the steering wheel is flaking off as well. I would expect that on a 10 year old car, not on one that is now 5 years old. So if you are considering this vehicle for getting you somewhere you need to be, and actually getting you there, this is a good car, but be prepared for annoying things to go with it.
Yes
No
Superior car. Easy to drive. Good steering. Comfortable drive. Quiet engine. Confutable seats. Easy to read car panel. Good radio convenient back lift. Easy on gas gas. Good brakes