2025 Mazda CX-3 GT SP Review

Mazda's CX-3 has been one of the best-selling light SUVs here in Australia, with its pint-sized proportions and good looks making a lasting impression on buyers.

The CX-3 has played a massive role in the mainstream adoption of small SUVs and remains the segment's biggest volume mover well after its launch a decade ago.

Since then, however, the CX-3 remains much the same package - albeit with a facelift- that hit the road ten-plus years ago, which begs the question of just how well it's held up over this time.

To find out, we got behind the wheel of the higher-ranking CX-3 GT SP to see whether a more premium version of the CX-3 platform is worth a closer look.

Mazda CX-3 Competition

How Much Does It Cost?

Mazda offers the MY25 CX-3 range in a four-pronged lineup.

The entry-level CX-3 Pure is priced at $30,965 while the range-topping CX-3 Akari is priced at $39,485; this CX-3 GT SP review vehicle is priced at $35,925.

• CX-3 Pure - $30,965

• CX-3 Evolve - $32,695

• CX-3 GT SP - $35,925 (tested)

• CX-3 Akari - $39,485

Keep in mind that these prices are subject to change and do not include on-road costs.

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Mazda CX-3 G20 GT SP Specifications

What Features Does the Mazda CX-3 Have?

The CX-3 GT SP sits as the second-highest ranking member of the family, just below the range-topping Akari.

Features specific to the CX-3 GT SP include a set of heated, power-folding mirrors, a power-adjustable driver's seat with lumbar support, upgraded leather and faux suede upholstery and a more powerful seven-speaker Bose sound system.

You also pick up all the features you’ll find lower lower-ranking members of the CX-3 family, which adds the Evolve's 18-inch, black alloy wheels, keyless entry and LED fog lights and front-mounted parking sensors.

Of course, there’s all the kit you'll pick up in the entry-level CX-3 Pure, which bundles in automatic LED headlights with LED tail lights and daytime running lamps, adaptive cruise control, a head-up display, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, climate control, a rear-view camera with rear parking sensors, keyless start and an electric parking brake.

Connectivity & Infotainment Features

One of the main areas the CX-3 has begun to drop back from the pack is the infotainment offering.

There’s an 8.0-inch infotainment system sitting atop the dashboard which isn't trumped by its rivals on simple screen real estate; instead, it falls short on screen resolution and processing power.

It’s same display that has been fitted to the CX-3 for years now and while it does indeed get the job done, it doesn’t offer much in the way of ‘wow-factor’ for the predominantely younger age demographic it targets.

Brightness levels are okay in the midday sun, though the relatively low-resolution display is begging for an update.

Rather than touch inputs, you navigate through the CX-3's infotainment suite via a satisfying click of the rotary dial sitting on the centre console.

In our experience, while some menus - particularly Apple CarPlay & Android Auto - can be frustrating to navigate with the dial, once you’re acquainted, it's a very user-friendly setup to operate.

Mazda bundles in AM/FM and DAB+ digital radio as well as satellite navigation into its 8.0-inch infotainment system, the latter of which is a serious chore to operate.

The CX-3 GT SP also picks up an upgraded seven-speaker BOSE sound system which offers a major upgrade from the six-speaker unit you'll find in the Pure and Evolve.

The whole technology suite feels a little undercooked inside the CX-3, though, especially in the wake of new-age arrivals hitting the market from China.

Does the Mazda CX-3 Have Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto?

Interestingly, Mazda offers the CX-3 with wireless smartphone mirroring, but only for iPhone owners.

The CX-3's infotainment system can be paired wirelessly with your iOS device to access hands-free Apple CarPlay, though for now at least, Android Auto remains a wired-only affair.

This means that Android owners will need to bring their own USB cable in order to access Android Auto on the move.

In another clear sign of its age, the CX-3 has a pair of USB-A ports in the front of the cabin, which means that owners of a relatively new smartphone might need to search deep in your junk drawer to find an older cable.

Is the Mazda CX-3 Comfortable to Drive?

While we’ve already landed a few japs on the CX-3 about its age, it's arguably the best in the segment when it comes to the driving experience.

It's not particularly fast nor smooth, especially on country roads, though the CX-3 has been designed to make city driving both approachable and extremely fun and it remains a performer on the road.

It's got charisma and a certain charm about it that makes it not just a sensible A-to-B car for the urban jungle but one that welcomes a challenge in a way that few rivals do.

Under the bonnet, all CX-3 variants come powered by the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol unit that pushes out 110kW of power and 195Nm of torque to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic.

These are pretty solid figures at this end of the segment, offering a nice torque premium over the Hyundai Venue and Kia Stonic.

Thanks to its lightweight platform, acceleration off the line feels nice and motivated, though it’s an engine that doesn't offer much lower down in the rev range, meaning you really need to stretch it out to pick up the pace to highway speeds, for example.

That said, it's designed primarily to tacke the urban jungle and, as a result, the CX-3 excels as a fun and user-friendly city car.

The steering is perfectly weighted, in our opinion, remaining easy to throw around while you're parking or making a low-speed turn while offering tonnes of feedback as you pick up the pace.

The CX-3's turning circle is incredibly compact while its handling around town carves through corners and roundabouts without hesitation, making it feel particularly nimble.

You can also squeeze it into virtually any vacant car space without a problem thanks to its pint-sized footprint, ticking all the important boxes for small SUV buyers looking for a confident little city car.

Mazda has opted for a pretty firm suspension setup for the CX-3, which gives it a certain dynamism in the corners, though it can feel a little rough on sudden, sharp bumps and speed bumps.

Picking up the pace on a country road, you’ll be quick to realise that Mazda’s firm suspension system is pretty good at finding even the smallest of bumps and transmitting them into the cabin, meaning it's not the most comfortable long-distance cruiser in the segment if you frequent country roads.

That said, the trade-off here is the excellent handling package and, around town, it fits in with rivals when it comes to the ride quality.

On the highway, the CX-3 feels a little undergunned if you need a quick injection of pace, though its willing little engine will serve up the goods - eventually - once it drops down a few gears and revs through the stratosphere.

Once again, the ride errs on the firmer side and you can feel a little prone to drifting around the lane in strong crosswinds due to its size and lightweight packaging.

All up, we think the CX-3 strikes a pretty healthy blend of on-road abilities with an incredibly user-friendly temperament that makes it a leading option in the light car segment for outright accessibility and fun behind the wheel.

Is it Fuel Efficient?

While the CX-3 debuted with some frankly impressive fuel economy figures, things have changed in the segment, and it ranks somewhere in the middle of the pack these days.

Things are made even more troubling for the CX-3 when you consider its biggest rival, the Yaris Cross, is offered exclusively as a petrol-electric hybrid and sits as one of the most fuel-efficient vehicles currently on sale.

That said, Mazda's 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol is a great little unit when it comes to its willingness to rev out while keeping fuel economy figures in a pretty healthy place.

There's an engine stop/start system that tries its best at curbing fuel use, though the real efficiency is gained from the reasonably efficient engine itself, rather than this extra tech that can just get in the way, at times.

It doesn’t lead the segment but it's not the thirstiest of the bunch, either, with our mix of country, town and highway driving covering 850kms, returning figures of 7.3L per 100km.

The CX-3 is packaged with a 48L tank and is happy to drink 91 RON fuel.

• Mazda CX-3 City Consumption: 7.7L per 100km

• Mazda CX-3 Highway Consumption: 5.5L per 100km

• Mazda CX-3 Combined Cycle Consumption: 6.3L per 100km (claimed)

• Mazda CX-3 Combined Cycle Consumption: 7.3L per 100km (tested)

Is it Practical and Spacious?

Climb inside, and while it’s not a palace, the front of the CX-3’s cabin is more than up to the task, so long as you don't have a big family.

Headroom is surprisingly good for such a stout little package, with no issues for my 185cm torso, though things can be a bit tighter with the Akari's sunroof.

The driving position is fully adjustable, with both reach and rake adjustment for the steering wheel and powered mobility for the driver's seat, which includes lumbar support.

The seats themselves are pretty good for the segment, offering some decent support from the side bolsters without being too restrictive and a more premium look from the GT SP's upgraded leather and faux suede upholstery.

Forward and side visibility are also solid, though the windscreen isn't the biggest.

The CX-3 gets better marks for ergonomics, though, with the lovely leather-wrapped steering wheel sitting perfectly in hand, a nice, sturdy feel from the switchgear and a simple, easily-accessible layout for the climate control dials and infotainment controls.

Everything just falls into hand nicely without any need to stretch out.

In this more premium GT SP version, there's a soft leather insert stretching across the door sills to the dashboard, accompanied by a bronze finish for the air vents and contrast stitching that give things a more premium look.

There's also a reasonably soft finish for the inside armrest and door sills for your elbows, while your knee is treated to a plush trim piece stretching across the centre console.

The cabin layout itself is a very conventional affair, and though it certainly doesn’t look the most modern in the segment, it's a familiar and user-friendly layout, though the infotainment system shows some clear signs of its ageing platform.

Move to the rear and things go downhill, with the CX-3's pint-sized proportions offering a pretty compromised second row experience.

Climbing behind my driving position, there’s just a few inches of usable legroom behind Mazda's noticeably thin first row seats, forcing a bit of a leg spread with your outside leg forced against the door sills.

Headroom is super tight, with our head brushed up against the headliner, proving that it's no place for adults back here.

The cabin is also narrow - you can pretty much touch the far side of the cabin door with a stretch of your arm - which means that three-abreast seating in the rear isn’t a viable option, unless you're squeezing in some smaller kids.

Realistically, though, the rear seat experience is pretty much on par with the rest of the segment and is rarely a key priority for buyers in this segment.

In terms of amenities, there are no air vents, no map pockets, nor charging ports back here, just a folding armrest with cupholders and bottle holders inside the doors.

For the parents out there, there are two pairs of ISOFIX anchors and three top tether mounts hiding on the seatbacks, while the CX-3's wide-aperture rear doors provide easy access into the cabin, though space is restrictive for some of the bulkier child seats out there.

All up, Mazda has done pretty well to extract a reasonably practical front cabin experience from the Mazda2-based platform, but you'll want to keep its rear seat limitations in mind if you plan on growing the family.

How Big is the Mazda CX-3's Boot?

The CX-3 doesn't have a huge boot, lacking some of its main rivals in the light SUV segment when it comes to outright capacity.

With the rear seats standing, there's 264L worth of real estate in the boot; this expands to 1,174L with the 60/40 split rear seats folded down.

That’s notably less than you'll find in the Yaris Cross, Venue and Stonic, meaning the CX-3 is toward the back of the pack when it comes to boot space.

Is it Safe?

Mazda has given the CX-3 some safety-tech upgrades in recent years to make it more competitive, meaning it comes packaged with most of the tech you'd expect.

Notably, the entry-level CX-3 Pure and the Evolve have picked up an upgraded AEB system as well as adaptive cruise control, which was becoming a noticeable omission in the modern landscape.

As standard, the CX-3 picks up AEB with pedestrian and cyclist detection, as well as blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, rear cross-traffic alerts, lane-departure alerts, driver attention alerts, a rear-view camera with rear-mounted parking sensors and curtain airbags inside the cabin.

Upgrading to the CX-3 Evolve adds a set of front-mounted parking sensors while this GT SP picks up traffic sign recognition.

A surround-view monitor is reserved for the range-topping CX-3 Akari, though.

The CX-3 range is currently unrated by ANCAP after its previous five-star safety rating from 2015 expired.

What Warranty does the Mazda CX-3 Come With?

Mazda bundles the CX-3 with a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty with up to five years' worth of roadside assist on offer, so long as you keep it serviced on time and within the network.

Buyers also pick up capped-price servicing, though maintenance costs are comparatively steep when compared to its biggest rivals in the segment.

For example, five years’ worth of servicing for the CX-3 costs $2,200 compared to the $1,250 you'll hand over to Toyota to keep the Yaris Cross serviced.

• CX-3 Five-Year Servicing Cost: $2,200

• CX-3 Seven-Year Servicing Cost: $3,165

Service intervals for the CX-3 range stand at a very normal 12 months or 15,000 kilometres, whichever elapses first.

Our Verdict: Is the Mazda CX-3 Worth it?

The Mazda CX-3 is a great little SUV, remaining amongst the best options in the segment in spite of its age.

While the CX-3’s edge has been slowly yet consistently eaten away as more contemporary rivals hit the market, it's a solid package that remains competitive on most of the fundamentals, though this is continuing to shift as it ages.

It's a surprisingly great driving package with a willing little engine and excellent on-road dynamics for the segment, which add some serious personality in a largely unexciting, mundane segment of the market.

That said, the CX-3 is well overdue for an upgrade - not another facelift but a proper upgrade that brings primarily its technological chops well into line with its biggest rivals.

Overall, we think there is certainly a place for the CX-3 on your small SUV shortlist, more specifically, either the entry-level Pure or Evolve variants, which present a far healthier value for money proposition than premium versions of the CX-3 that are positioned alongside the more practical CX-30.

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Five Mazda CX-3 Specs You Need to Know

1. Five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty

2. 2.0-litre petrol engine produces 110kW / 195Nm

3. Six-speed automatic transmission, front-wheel drive only

4. 6.3L per 100km claimed fuel economy figures

5. 264 - 1,174L boot space