2019 Mazda CX-3 Review in UAE - Specs, Price, Photos, Videos

[Car Reviews]

2019 Mazda CX-3

The 2019 Mazda CX-3 is the Jet Li of cars. It exudes a sense of holistic balance which retains Mazda’s credibility as the enthusiast’s car brand. If you feel that a saloon or a hatchback is too fragile for your needs, this is an intelligent alternative that makes fewer compromises than similar models.

The design is striking if not pretty, with a coherent application of sharp edges and flowy panels. What used to be a design that was bland when compared to a Mini, is now in a niche of its own. The profile makes it look like a big, tough hatchback, which is a great way to diffuse the confusion of crossover styling.

On the inside you’ll see the best-designed crossover interiors. Two circular air vents are finished in red, black, and chrome. Climate control dials are finished in chrome and fall to the hand easily. A 7-inch touchscreen with Mazda Connect juts out of the dashboard, which can be controlled by another well-placed rotary dial. Audio comes from 6 speakers, with a 6-speaker Bose setup available on the higher variants. There is no Apple Car Play or Android Auto available yet, and the user-interface of the stock system takes some getting used to. However, it has a few streaming services available, along with HD radio, so the interface is the only thing you’ll miss.

Stitching at the edges of the dashboard is appropriate for the lofty GTX price tag. Overall this interior looks a bit fatter than the previous generation but is much more luxurious. Seats are properly sized and cushioned. This isn’t a car that will seat four tall, large people in comfort, but young families will fall in love with the Mazda CX-3. There is an air of agility throughout the cabin which is in rhythm with the athletic abilities of the car itself.

The engine is a 2.0-litre four cylinder which puts out 146 hp and 192 Nm of torque. Off the highway the Mazda CX-3 is decently peppy with adequate throttle input. High-speed overtakes highlight the shortcomings of this engine. It takes 8.3 seconds for the Mazda CX-3 to get to 100 kph. But if you start looking at the numbers, you’re missing the point. It takes a lot more metal to build a crossover than a hatchback - 1300 kgs of it. Where the Mazda 3 excels is in its handling. The suspension lends a flat ride with little body roll. This car is about the kind of balance that is missing from the quasi-SUV's of today.

The UAE price of the base-variant Mazda CX-3 is 70,000 AED. A standard GT model will fetch 88,000 AED. The fully-optioned GTX costs AED 96,000. Fully optioned, this is an expensive vehicle, but it feels nice like any other expensive vehicle.

AWD is good for light off-roading. It lends much-needed cornering grip on the road. We recommend upgrading to grippy tires, because this car begs you to push itself. Brakes feel very good; the stopping distance is similar to other crossovers. The 2019 Mazda CX-3 falls short of the competition when it comes to practicality, which is the only concern you’ll have when shelling out 90,000 Dirhams for one of these. But crossovers are still unconventional vehicles, and this is a good one.

Mazda CX-3 Features

• Front and curtain airbags
• ABS, EBD
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Automatic Emergency Braking
• Blind spot monitoring
• Lane-departure warning

Mazda CX-3 Price in UAE

• Mazda CX-3 - 2.0 litre GS (2WD) - 70,000 AED
• Mazda CX-3 - 2.0 litre GT (AWD)- 80,000 AED
• Mazda CX-3 - 2.0 litre GTX (AWD) - 96,000 AED

Mazda CX-3 Exterior

Mazda CX-3 Interior

Mazda CX-3 Review