MAZDA's CX-3 has always been priced a little premium locally. With the introduction of a new 1.5L 2WD Core variant however, it has now has become more competitive.
Retailing at RM107,870 on-the-road without insurance, the introduction of the 1.5 variant is part of 2022 model year update for the CX-3.
The compact sports utility vehicle (SUV) is now available in three variants. On top of the 1.5L 2WD Core, there's 2.0L 2WD Core and 2.0L 2WD High, each priced at RM118,159 and RM131,159 respectively.
All three models are still fully-imported (CBU) from Thailand.
Mazda says that the Core variants are for those who desire a stylish SUV with fuel efficiency and an ideal package as an entry level SUV model for a more enjoyable Jinba-Ittai driving experience.
To the oily bits first, obviously there are two engine choices, the 1.5-litre is a SkyActive-G four-cylinder petrol engine, naturally-aspirated, and it makes 114hp at 6,000rpm and 149Nm of torque at 4,000rpm.
The 2.0-litre engine is the one that we're familiar with, a four-cylinder unit with 154hp at 6,000rpm and 206Nm of torque at 2,800rpm.
Regardless of the engine type, you would get a six-speed automatic SkyActive-Drive transmission across the board, chanelling power to the front wheels, and comes with manual shift mode.
The 1.5-litre – thanks to its smaller size – is rated at 5.7 litre per 100km, while the bigger 2.0 is penalised at 6.3 litre per 100km.
In terms of equipment, the 1.5L 2WD Core and 2.0L 2WD Core come with halogen headlights, bulb tail lights, keyless entry, power mirrors, electronic parking brake, cruise control, fabric seats and manual air-conditioning system.
Meanwhile, the specifications for the 2.0L 2WD High is pretty much unchanged, where it gets LED headlights and tail lights, parking sensors, auto-dimming mirrors, leather seats, wireless charger and automatic air-conditioning.
The rest are pretty much similar, where the new CX-3 gets an 8-inch infotainment touch screen with Apple CarPlay (2.0 High gets wireless Apple CarPlay), start/stop idling, G-Vectoring Control (GVC) and the usual safety features including Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Traction Control (TCS), and Emergency Stop Signal (ESS).
But the more advanced safety kits like the High Beam Control (HBC), Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS) and Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) are unique to the High variant.
The colour line-up for the new Mazda CX-3 includes Snowflake White Pearl, Soul Red Crystal, Jet Black, Machine Gray, Polymetal Gray and Platinum Quartz.
The car is now officially open for booking and comes warranty and maintenance package for five-years or 100,000km, whichever comes first.
