Used 2020 Mazda CX-3 for sale 

Until 2019, the Mazda CX-3 was offered in multiple trims, with the Grand Touring model being the fully-loaded variant. To avoid overlap and to keep its own model from cannibalizing a closely priced SUV with a Mazda badge on the hood, the CX-30, Mazda decided to offer the new 2020 CX-3 in only one trim level. 

What do we recommend?

For the 2020 model year, the lineup is down to just one trim - Sport. The trim is highly packed up to the brim with creature comforts. One of the main highlights is the 7-inch infotainment touchscreen which comes with a BMW styled rotary knob for better usability while driving. In terms of safety, the 2020 Mazda CX-3 comes loaded to the gills with features like blind-spot monitoring, advanced emergency braking, etc. The front-wheel-drive version is lighter, more economical and cheaper to own and run. Only if you really need the all-weather capability, then only opt for the AWD trim. 

2020 Mazda CX-3 is powered by a 2.0L 4-cylinder engine which is a part of the Skyactiv range of engines from Mazda. The Skyactiv range of engines is supposed to be high on fuel economy without sacrificing on power. The Skyactiv G series engine has a high compression ratio of 14.0:1, which is the highest for any production gasoline engine in the world. And as a result, the engine in the Mazda CX-3 is a naturally-aspirated motor which is one of the highlights of this engine.

This engine sounds like a dream for a purist, at least on paper. It produces a potent 148 hp which is higher than most of its competitors which make use of small turbocharged engines. Under full acceleration, the engine sounds a bit too boomy and vocal inside the cabin. And that’s intentional according to the Mazda engineers as the sound gels with the sporty character of the SUV and makes it stand out of the crowd.

Engines rev-happy nature makes it feel sporty and athletic. Out on the highway, put your foot down and the transmission gives a sudden kick down and the mini SUV just picks up without any hesitation. There is no lag whatsoever as the air is sucked by the engine which is then transformed into pure firepower and is free from any kind of turbo trickery. 

The rest of the Japanese clan is let down by their CVT transmissions. Pedal to the metal action is replaced by a constant engine drone and the SUVs make a move in a relaxed manner and thus don't feel as sporty as the Mazda.

How fast is the Mazda CX-3 off the line?

The engine under the hood of the Mazda CX-3 genuinely feels up to the task when you pin the throttle. The response is almost immediate and the power is delivered in a sporty and punchy manner. As standard, the power is transferred exclusively to the front wheels but an AWD system is available as an option as well. That being said, the AWD CX-3 is heavier than the front wheel powered version and is not that much quicker off the line. 

The 2020 Mazda CX-3 totally obliterates its competitors in our outright acceleration test. That’s all down to instant response from the engine and a quick-shifting 6-speed automatic gearbox. The shifts are so crisp that it feels like a dual-clutch transmission in the way it operates. 

What’s the handling like?

The Mazda CX-3 stays true to the brand’s sporty nature. It is one of the lowest feeling ‘sport utility vehicles’. It drives more like a hatchback rather than an SUV which is a good thing. 

The chassis is lively and feels responsive to even the slightest of the inputs. The suspension has a sporty edge to it and is tuned to the stiffer side to keep the body roll in check. 

The steering is nice and direct and feels quick out on the highway. It gives a decent amount of feedback to the driver which works well with its sporty character. Its small size coupled with a light steering comes handy in the city. Visibility out of the front is fabulous, thanks to thin A-pillars and a generous glass area and a low window line. 

What about the braking performance?

2020 Mazda CX-3 comes with a superb set of anchors at the front and at the back making it a strong performer under hard braking. Emergency maneuvers don’t feel intimidating as the ESP program coupled with nicely calibrated ABS ensures that the jacked-up hatchback maintains its composure thereby inspiring confidence to the driver. That being said, during heavy braking tests, the ABS felt noisy and a bit jerky. 

The brake pedal has a nice feel to it and gives positive feedback, be it in the city or when hooning around the canyons. 

Under heavy braking, the 2020 Toyota C-HR showcased a strong performance. It stopped in the least distance and remained under control and felt stable. Even though it is the heaviest of the lot, it absolutely nailed the braking test. 

If fuel economy is what you are looking for, then the 2020 Mazda CX-3 will not disappoint you. The intelligent 2.0L Skyactiv engine is specifically tuned to extract maximum efficiency from the engine and not compromising on the performance at the same time. 

The official EPA ratings rank the Mazda CX-3 on the top of the list, be it the city or the highway. The AWD variant loses to the front wheel powered car due to mechanical losses and more weight that it needs to lug around. 

Although the Mazda CX-3 has the smallest fuel tank, it returns the highest fuel economy numbers in the segment and thus can cover more distance than the Toyota C-HR in one full tank.

The interiors of the 2020 Mazda CX-3 are as pleasant as the exteriors. The build quality and the design is just spot on. The dashboard is set nice and low and the design is clean and minimalistic. In the center sits a 7-inch infotainment display and is set up like older-gen Audi systems. The materials used on the dash and the door pads are of high quality and are soft to touch. 

The seating position reminds you that you are sitting in a jacked-up hatch. Front seats are set-up high which makes it easy to have a nice and clear front view. The seats themselves are generous on comfort and are accommodating with loads of room to move around. The driver’s side seat gets 6-way adjustability but sadly it loses out of electronic function. 

The passenger room in the rear takes a hit as it shows its hatchback traits. The room is quite limited and is good for only two adults. That being said, you do get three separate adjustable headrests for added safety. 

What features to expect on the inside?

The 2020 Mazda CX-3 comes with interior features such as:

• Push-button start
• Manual day/night rearview mirror
• Tilt and telescopic steering column
• Dual covered visor vanity mirrors
• 12-volt power outlet
• Electronic parking brake with Auto-hold
• Automatic climate control with pollen filter

How good is the infotainment system?

Lately, the MAZDA CONNECT™ Infotainment System has become one of the best systems in the segment and at this price point. Although the CX-3 is one of their entry-level cars the infotainment system is top-notch. The 2020 Mazda CX-3 gets a 7-inch touchscreen that sits right in the eye line of the driver. 

The system itself is free from any kind of lag and responds well to the user’s input. Mazda engineers have listened to customer’s feedback and introduced an additional rotary knob that sits behind the gear shifter. At low speeds, the system works as a touchscreen but at high speeds when more attention is required on the road, the system switches to the rotary knob for better usability while driving. It’s a clever solution and kudos to Mazda. 

One downside of this system is that Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are not standard fitment but can be fitted as an option.

What are the Infotainment features on offer?

• Bluetooth® hands-free phone & audio capability
• Infotainment system voice command
• Aha™ internet radio integration
• Pandora® internet radio integration
• Stitcher™ internet radio integration
• USB audio input
• Auxiliary audio input jack
• Steering wheel-mounted audio and cruise controls

What’s the cargo capacity like?

For such a small and compact footprint, the 2020 Mazda CX-3 packs a decent boot space behind the second row. But when compared head to head with its competitors, it lags behind and falls to the bottom of the stack. On the brighter side, the boot opening is nice and wide which makes it easy to access and to store bags behind the second row. The floor is height adjustable which can free up some more room if required. The rear seats get a 60:40 folding function and they fold flat which increases the room to a massive 42.7 cubic feet. 

When it comes to utility, the HR-V is riding on a different cloud altogether. The ride offers a cargo volume of more than 23 cubic feet, which is the greatest in this segment. The Mazda CX-3 falls behind the pack with the least amount of cargo space due to it being based on a small city hatchback. 

The Mazda CX-3 is basically a Mazda 2 on stilts. It shares the platform with the hatchback and that means that it has a small footprint. It surely looks small but has an excellent design all over. 

Upfront, the grille now has horizontal inserts and is finished in matte black and is surrounded by a thick chrome border which subtly merges with the headlamps. The headlamps are LED units along with the fog lamps but sadly the indicators make use of incandescent bulbs. 

Around the sides, there’s necessary black plastic cladding around the wheel arches which gives it a macho and more SUV-ish look. The compact SUV sits on a slightly raised suspension when compared to the Mazda 2 but it all just fits and doesn’t look weird. As standard, the CX-3 rolls on 16-inch wheels wrapped around in 215/60 section rubber. 

At the rear, there are subtle tweaks as well when compared to the older models. The taillamps get a nice LED surround which looks uber cool. For better aerodynamics, the CX-3 gets a roof spoiler as well. One of the highlights of the rear end is the dual exhaust tips which are 100% authentic and is unheard of in 2020. 

This baby Mazda SUV received an excellent crash test rating from NHTSA and IIHS. it comes standard with loads of driver assistance features like automated emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, etc. 

The safety features on the 2020 Mazda CX-3 include:

• Advanced front airbags with seat belt-use, passenger-weight sensors
• Front side-impact airbags and side-impact air curtains with rollover protection
• Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) with Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) & Brake Assist
• Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and Traction Control System (TCS)
• Rearview Camera
• Hill Launch Assist
• Advanced Smart City Brake Support with Pedestrian Detection
• Smart Brake Support with a collision warning
• Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop & Go
• Lane Departure Warning

Mazda CX-3 vs Toyota C-HR

Its quirky coupe-like styling will get your heart racing but that excitement factor ends right there. Behind the wheel, it lacks that flair and doesn’t live up to its exterior design. The engine is average and the gearbox makes everything worse. That being said, it gets a long list of standard features, different trims to choose from and Toyota’s solid reliability and fuss-free ownership. It can carry more luggage than the Mazda CX-3 but out on the road, the Mazda truly shines over its Japanese counterpart. 

Mazda CX-3 vs Honda HR-V

he Honda HR-V is an easy to drive, small but big on the inside compact SUV. Packed with all kinds of creature comforts one might expect at this price point, the HR-V makes a lot of sense for an average buyer. It delivers an amazing fuel economy and is easy to live with. That being said, it’s an absolute dud behind the wheel, the drive is uninspiring, to say the least. The suspension feels too harsh on rough roads. The Mazda CX-3 has a much better ride quality, is a hoot to drive when compared to the Honda. 

Mazda CX-3 vs Chevrolet Trax

The compact SUV segment is one of the most crowded segments of the market and the 2020 Chevrolet Trax is just another SUV in that segment. There is nothing special or unique about this mini SUV. The engine is not that capable, neither is the chassis. The build quality feels questionable and it feels like an old and bland car. The 2020 Mazda CX-3 can run circles around this stubby little Chevy SUV. Be it in terms of ride quality, driving dynamics or build quality, the CX-3 is a clear winner in this head to head. 

There is so much going on for this little SUV. It is genuinely sporty to look at and in the way it drives. It is the most un-SUV feeling SUV of them all. The engine upfront is nice and powerful, mated to a slick-shifting 6-speed automatic transmission that feels as good as any dual-clutch gearbox out there. The quality of the materials used is right up there with much more premium cars, infotainment is slick and easy to use and it comes packed up to the gills with class-leading features. The 2020 Mazda CX-3 screams value for money.