The 2016 Mazda CX-3 Grand Touring AWD

Mazda has succeeded, once again, in making a beautiful small crossover, this one with an extra splash of luxury. Even the interior has this premium feel to it – which is saying something about Mazda: In the past, they’ve been accused of using cheap materials to decorate their interiors.

The top-of-the-line Grand Touring featured cream colored leather seats with black suede inserts balanced with red piping. Utilizing a seven-speaker audio system from Bose certainly helped their case. You can instantly tell that Mazda put a lot of thought into their interior. It was crisp and aesthetically pleasing to the eye.

The Powertrain and Engine

Mazda did a lot more work than sprucing up their interior. All of the CX-three models will feature their direct-injection, 146-horsepower, 2 L, four-cylinder engine. For a crossover, it has competitive fuel economy, excellent acceleration and handles like a high-end luxury vehicle. It’s more agile than it appears. All in all, the small vehicle was a pleasure to drive. It even features of all-wheel-drive that keeps the wheels from spinning during early acceleration out of turns – a necessary element in snowy weather.

It was maneuverable and easy to park in tight spaces. However, on wider roads and at higher speeds, the vehicle tended not to be as stable as some of the larger, full-size SUVs that are hitting the markets in 2016.

A Few Small Drawbacks

Despite how beautiful the interior is, it does feel a little bit cramped. However, that is to be expected simply because it is a smaller crossover vehicle. If you push back the front seats to make room for taller passengers, there is next to nothing in terms of rear leg room. It was a pleasant surprise to note that the rear seats folded – which can offer substantially more space when the need arises.

I expect nothing less than an excellent audio system from Bose – and they deliver. The audio output is crisp and clear.

For a vehicle priced under $30,000, you get a lot of car and you get a lot of features. The inside is luxurious and handles like a champ within the city. It may be enough for Mazda to swipe a few new car buyers from more traditional premium brands. BMW X3 watch out!