Mazda CX-3 Akari diesel AWD road test review

Australia has an appetite for SUVs that seems to know no bounds.

We like big ones, medium ones, small ones, ones that think they're coupes and the latest to rise from the swamp, light-sized SUVs like the Mazda CX-3 on this page.

God knows where the car makers will turn next to feed our addiction because there aren't many SUV segments left to create.  Or perhaps we're about to see an uprising of two-seat SUV roadsters.

WHAT DO YOU GET?

Mazda has brought out the shotgun to give the CX-3 the upper hand against Ford's EcoSport, Holden's Trax, Honda's HR-V, Renault's Captur and other light-sized SUVs.

Unlike some of these options, which might offer just two trim variations and maybe a choice of transmissions, the CX-3 range spans 24 different flavours from its competitive $19,990 base to its $37,690 ceiling.

The choice covers petrol/diesel, manual/auto and front-wheel-drive/all-wheel-drive possibilities, plus four trims (Neo, Maxx, sTouring, Akari), or seven if you include the 'safety' versions of the first three.

We're sampling the CX-3 that sits at the very top of the tree, the $37,690 (plus on-road costs) Akari diesel. Unlike Akari petrols, which offer a choice of AWD/FWD and manual/auto transmission, the Akari diesel is an exclusively AWD/auto deal.

The basic specification isn't all that different to the third-tier sTouring ? six airbags, stability control, rear parking sensors, reversing camera, keyless entry/start, head-up display and 18-inch alloys, plus a feature-packed seven-inch infotainment system (sat-nav, CD/MP3 stereo, Bluetooth, apps and traffic info) with both mouse and touch-screen operation. But Akari models go further with a power sunroof and black leather/suede cabin trim that can be substituted by an eye-catching white leather/black suede combo at no extra cost.

They also get every electronic safety trick in the CX-3 book. Some are shared with safety versions of cheaper models (low-speed autonomous emergency braking, blindspot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert) but auto high beams and lane-departure warning system are exclusive to Akari models. All they are missing is an official stamp from the ANCAP crash-test regime.

The top CX-3 is covered by Mazda's Service Select flexible capped-price servicing regime with yearly/10,000km intervals. If you clock up the average 20,000km annually you'll be forking out as much as $2459 over a three-year period but if you keep it below 10,000km per annum over that same timeframe you could be up for as little as $1029. Coverage is provided for up to 16 years or 160,000km.

WHAT'S INSIDE?

The CX-3 backs up its handsome exterior with one of the nicest looking cabins in the class. While there isn't much in the way of soft-touch plastics, attractive design and top-notch material choice/matching add up to a classy, high-quality ambience. Flashes of colour and the white leather/black suede trim really enhance the upmarket feel.

Mazda hasn't dropped the ball on general functionality or user-friendliness, at least up front. The driver enjoys easy access, two-way steering adjustment and supportive, usefully adjustable seating. The instruments, switchgear and infotainment system are generally easy to understand and master.

But the CX-3 does without the added comfort and storage of a front centre-console armrest bin. Indeed, there isn't a whole lot in the way of small-item storage once the door pockets, glovebox and cup/bottle holders are exhausted.

Rear occupants aren't especially well looked-after. While the bench is quite plush it's also noticeably short on leg and head space for adult-sized frames. We wouldn't feel comfortable asking anyone but kids and shorties to cop it on a long-stint basis.

The boot plays to the same form guide with a mediocre 264-litre capacity that really doesn't take much to fill. It does, though, have a false floor for extra versatility and expands to a useful 1174-litre box-shaped space with the 60/40 split-fold seats brought into play.

UNDER THE BONNET

77kW of power pushing 1368kg doesn't sound like a recipe for enthralling performance and this mediocre power-to-weight ratio delivers the top CX-3 diesel just a single point on the Drive scoring system.

But it's nothing like as bad as such a score suggests in the real world. Like all small-capacity turbodiesels it can take a while to gather its skirts in standing-start or low-speed rolling scenarios. The acceleration it delivers when asked to sprint for all its worth certainly isn't staggering. In between these extremes, though, is a flexible supply of low-rev grunt that propels it along with more than reasonable verve.

The six-speed auto does a smooth and effective job of keeping the little turbodiesel humming away in its happy zone.

Unlike petrol models, which are bit raucous when extended, the diesel generally does its work quietly and smoothly once warmed up. So as well as being a flexible and relaxed performer, it endows the CX-3 with a greater feeling of refinement than petrol models.

The diesel also clocks a very frugal 5.1L/100km official economy rating. We weren't a million miles off that with a 6.1L/100km result on our combined urban/highway loop.

ON THE ROAD

The Akari diesel is nearly 200kg heavier than the lightest CX-3s. Jumping into it from a Maxx petrol FWD manual its responses feel a little more measured, a little less playful.

That feeling soon fades, though, and the over-riding impression of the Mazda remains ? it's an athletic and enjoyable car to drive, with responsive, faithful steering and a confidence-inspiring poise through the bends that isn't unduly upset by lumps and bumps.

The Akari, on its big 18-inch rolling stock, transfers small, low-speed bumps to the occupants more faithfully than smaller wheeled models but otherwise delivers more than decent ride comfort, soaking up most surface imperfections and even lumpy rural tarmac with surprisingly little fuss.

Like many Mazdas, though, the CX-3 transfers more road roar than some cars on coarse-chip surfaces. It's not raucous, just not remarkably hushed.

VERDICT

Alluring presentation, engaging driving characteristics, benchmark technology, strong safety/economy/ownership credentials, unmatched choice. It's assets like these that ensure the CX-3 is not just a walk-up starter on any light-SUV shortlist but probably the class' most talented all-rounder.

That is unless you're seeking to maximise back-seat and boot space, in which case it suddenly looks rather less compelling. And if you're not tied to the idea of a light SUV, well, you don't have to look far to find cars that deliver more functionality, more performance and even more enjoyable driving than an Akari for $40k-odd, if not all its toys.

Mazda's 3 small car and its bigger SUV, the CX-5, are just two we'd sooner spend that kind of money on.

MAZDA CX-3 AKARI DIESEL AWD price and specifications

HOW MUCH? From $37,690 (plus on-road costs)

ENGINE: 1.5-litre turbodiesel four-cylinder

POWER: 77kW/270Nm

ANCAP RATING: No rating

FUEL USE: 5.1L/100km

OUR SCORE: 6.3/10

THE COMPETITION

Mitsubishi ASX XLS diesel

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Peugeot 2008 Outdoor

Skoda Yeti 103 TDI