2018 Mazda CX-3

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Rating7.0

Ranked #3 in 

Subcompact SUV
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$20,110 - $26,415
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on September 26, 2023

ProsConsWhat's New

Comes well-equipped with many standard features

Not so impressive trunk space

New braking system

Engaging exterior appeal

Even small undulations can be felt because of the damped suspension

Tail Lights with a new design

Interactive interior depicts impressive quality

Relatively quick and blissful ride quality

Specs & Features

$20,110

price

146 hp @ 6000 rpm

horsepower

146 lb.-ft. @ 2800 rpm

torque

6-Speed Shiftable Automatic

transmission

2.0L 4cyl FWD 6A

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

The 2018 Mazda CX-3 SUV is a proud member of the subcompact SUV segment, locking horns with cars like the Hyundai Kona, Toyota C-HR, and the Honda HR-V. Spread across 3 trims, the 2018 Mazda CX-3 starts off at a base price of MSRP of $20,110 and carries on to $26,415. Its 2.0L Inline-4 engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission give the SUV 146 horsepower and 146 lb-ft of torque. With that, it manages a 0-60 of 8.6 seconds and boasts a payload capacity of 1,031 pounds. Moving to fuel economy, the Mazda CX-3 manages to get a combined EPA rating of 29 MPG, which is just average for the class, with most of its rivals reaching similar numbers. It also has a ground clearance of 6.2 inches.

Buying Advice

Choosing the Touring trim will add useful features over the base trim and make the CX-3 hold more value for the money. Some of the standard features in the Touring trim include faux leather-trimmed seats, heated front seats, automatic climate control, Blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert, etc.

Trims

    Sport
    $20,110 onwards
    • 16-inch silver aluminum Wheels
    • 1St row LCD monitor
    • AM/FM/Satellite-Prep
    • Cloth Seat trim
    • Manual front air conditioning
    Touring
    $22,195 onwards
    • Automatic Front air conditioning
    • Leatherette seats
    • Rain Sensing Windshield wipers
    Grand Touring
    $25,165 onwards
    • Front Fog/driving lights
    • Navigation system
    • Simulated suede/leather Seat trim

Compare to similar cars

Price

$20,110- $26,415

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

6.95

Horsepower

146 hp @ 6000 rpm

Torque

146 lb.-ft. @ 2800 rpm

Capacity

5

Read Review

$22,990- $32,100

Gasoline

6.97

138 hp @ 4900 rpm

148 lb.-ft. @ 1850 rpm

5

Read Review

$23,580- $37,230

Gasoline

6.79

170 hp @ 5600 rpm

203 lb.-ft. @ 2000 rpm

5

Read Review

$21,000- $28,795

Gasoline

6.49

138 hp @ 4900 rpm

148 lb.-ft. @ 1850 rpm

5

Read Review

$22,995- $34,895

Gasoline

5.5

173 hp @ 6000 rpm

166 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

7

Read Review

$19,995- $27,415

Gasoline

6.79

160 hp @ 5500 rpm

184 lb.-ft. @ 2500 rpm

5

Read Review

$19,995- $27,330

Gasoline

6.36

123 hp @ 6000 rpm

125 lb.-ft. @ 3500 rpm

5

Read Review

$29,315- $40,770

Gasoline

7.45

245 hp @ 5500 rpm

275 lb.-ft. @ 3000 rpm

5

Read Review

$23,940- $33,490

Gasoline

6.87

168 hp @ 6000 rpm

170 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm

5

Read Review

$32,140- $53,940

Gasoline

6.88

290 hp @ 6500 rpm

255 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

7

Read Review

2018 Mazda CX-3 vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    2018 Mazda CX-3

    Ranked #16

    8.8 sec16.6 sec-
    6.5 sec15.1 sec131 mph
    6.7 sec15.2 sec132 mph
    6.9 sec15.4 sec-
    7.1 sec15.2 sec134 mph
    7.3 sec15.7 sec118 mph

    2018 Mazda CX-3 vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      29 mpg34 mpg31 mpg12.7 gal.368.3/431.8 mi.
      52 mpg49 mpg50 mpg11.9 gal.618.8/583.1 mi.
      27 mpg33 mpg30 mpg13.2 gal.356.4/435.6 mi.
      26 mpg33 mpg29 mpg14.5 gal.377/478.5 mi.
      27 mpg31 mpg29 mpg13.2 gal.356.4/409.2 mi.
      22 mpg33 mpg28 mpg12.7 gal.317.5/419.1 mi.

      2018 Mazda CX-3 vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        2018 Mazda CX-3

        Ranked #35

        168.3 in.69.6 in.60.7 in.6.1 in.101.2 in.
        199.4 in.77.5 in.69 in.8.8 in.115.3 in.
        198.5 in.77.3 in.69.5 in.7 in.114.2 in.
        198.3 in.78.9 in.70 in.7.8 in.112.8 in.
        194.5 in.78.6 in.69.8 in.7.3 in.111 in.
        193.6 in.75.4 in.66 in.7.2 in.112.5 in.

        2018 Mazda CX-3 vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          2018 Mazda CX-3

          Ranked #33

          12.4 cu.ft.87.6 cu.ft.44.5 cu.ft.
          10.3 cu.ft.128.2 cu.ft.63.3 cu.ft.
          16.5 cu.ft.152.9 cu.ft.83.9 cu.ft.
          30.9 cu.ft.103.6 cu.ft.59.6 cu.ft.
          24.6 cu.ft.105.4 cu.ft.100.7 cu.ft.Jeep USA
          47.2 cu.ft.-89.7 cu.ft.

          2018 Mazda CX-3 vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            4.8 cu.ft.12.4 cu.ft.44.5 cu.ft.-
            14.9 cu.ft.30.7 cu.ft.60.1 cu.ft.-
            68.3 cu.ft.39.6 cu.ft.67.6 cu.ft.-
            7.6 cu.ft.39.2 cu.ft.75.8 cu.ft.-
            81.5 cu.ft.32 cu.ft.70 cu.ft.-
            83.1 cu.ft.12.2 cu.ft.50.8 cu.ft.82 ft.

            2018 Mazda CX-3 vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              8600 lbs.1031 lbs.2809 lbs.
              9300 lbs.1233 lbs.3056 lbs.Jeep USA
              6200 lbs.835 lbs.3300 lbs.
              6200 lbs.1180 lbs.4513 lbs.Jeep USA
              6000 lbs.1693 lbs.4293 lbs.
              5000 lbs.1717 lbs.4443 lbs.

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              #5

              2018 Mazda CX-3

              Horsepower : 146 hp @ 6000 rpm

              MPG Combined : 31 mpg

              0-60 : 8.8 sec

              #6