Mazda CX-3

Mazda CX-3: which version to buy

If you are choosing a Mazda CX-3, the useful split is not “generation 1 versus generation 2.” The catalogue lists two production blocks of the same SUV 5-doors line: 1 generation (2014-11-01 to 2018-04-30, 9 versions) and 1 generation, restyling (from 2019-03-01, no end date in the data, 10 versions).

If you are choosing a Mazda CX-3, the useful split is not “generation 1 versus generation 2.” The catalogue lists two production blocks of the same SUV 5-doors line: 1 generation (2014-11-01 to 2018-04-30, 9 versions) and 1 generation, restyling (from 2019-03-01, no end date in the data, 10 versions). Buy on fuel, drive, gearbox, and the horsepower figure that sits next to a duplicated name — not on a second-generation story the numbers do not support.

The cheapest-running measured diesel is the pre-restyle 1.5 MT FWD (4.0 l/100 km mixed, 105 g/km CO2). The fastest measured car is the same-period 2.0 MT 150 hp AWD (8.7 s to 100 km/h, 200 km/h). After March 2019 the diesel grows from 1499 to 1759 cm³ and still makes 115 hp, so specific output falls; the 150 hp 2.0 MT AWD is 0.1 s slower and 0.6 l/100 km thirstier than its 2014–2018 twin. Ground clearance stays 155 mm on every version that uses 215/60 R16 and 215/50 R18 wheels; only 2.0L SKYACTIVE-G and 1.5 SKYACTIVE-G sit at 165 mm.

Generations: what the 2019 restyling actually changed

1 generation (November 2014 – April 2018) is nine versions in one SUV 5-doors body. Diesel is a 1499 cm³ Turbo Inline 4 at 105 hp / 270 Nm, in 1.5 MT FWD, 1.5 MT AWD, 1.5 AT AWD, and 1.5 AT FWD. Gasoline is a 1998 cm³ Inline 4, Direct injection (direct), boost No: 2.0 MT 120 hp FWD, 2.0 AT 120 hp FWD, 2.0 MT 150 hp AWD, 2.0 AT 150 hp AWD, and 2.0 AT 156 hp FWD. Tank 44 l. Rear suspension: Semi-independent, springorts hélicoïdaux, sem.

1 generation, restyling (from March 2019) keeps the same body type and the same 1998 cm³ gasoline family, but the diesel becomes 1.8 MT / 1.8 AT at 1759 cm³, still 115 hp / 270 Nm Turbo Inline 4, FWD or AWD. Gasoline adds a 121 hp pair (2.0 MT, 2.0 AT FWD), keeps the 150 hp AWD pair, and lists two Automatic FWD names that did not exist before: 2.0L SKYACTIVE-G (156 hp) and 1.5 SKYACTIVE-G (116 hp, 1496 cm³). Tank 48 l (+4 l). Two restyle versions use Independent, spring at the rear and 165 mm clearance; the other eight keep 155 mm and the semi-independent rear label.

Arithmetic on the swap: diesel displacement +260 cm³, power +10 hp, specific output 70.0 hp/l (105 / 1.499) down to 65.4 hp/l (115 / 1.759). Mixed consumption on the lightest FWD manuals: 4.0 l/100 km (1.5 MT FWD) versus 4.4 (1.8 MT FWD). CO2: 105 versus 114 g/km. The restyle diesel is not the economy win; it is a larger engine with a bigger tank.

Engine specs: every version, named as in the data

Diesel peak torque is 270 Nm from 1600–2500 rpm (1.5) or 1600–2600 rpm (1.8). Gasoline 2.0 torque is 204 Nm at 2800 rpm before restyle and 206 Nm at 2800 rpm after; 2.0L SKYACTIVE-G is 208 Nm at 2800 rpm. 1.5 SKYACTIVE-G is the torque outlier: 152 Nm at 4000 rpm — 118 Nm less than any diesel, and 52–56 Nm less than the 2.0 gasoline.

Power per litre (hp ÷ displacement in litres): 2.0 AT 156 hp = 78.1 hp/l; 1.5 SKYACTIVE-G = 77.5; 2.0 MT/2.0 AT 150 hp = 75.1; pre-restyle diesel 1.5 MT/1.5 AT = 70.0; restyle diesel 1.8 MT/1.8 AT = 65.4; 2.0 MT 121 hp = 60.6; 2.0 MT 120 hp = 60.1. The 120/121 hp gasoline is the least specific; the 156 hp 2.0 is the most.

Performance and mpg: what Automatic and AWD cost in seconds and litres

0–100 km/h (measured). Fastest: 2.0 MT 150 hp AWD, 1 generation, 8.7 s. Restyle twin: 8.8 s. Next: restyle 2.0 MT 121 hp FWD 9.0 s (same as pre-restyle 2.0 MT 120 hp FWD 9.0 s). 2.0L SKYACTIVE-G 9.1 s. 2.0 AT 150 hp AWD: 9.6 s (2014–2018) / 9.7 s (restyle). 2.0 AT 121 hp FWD and 2.0 AT 120 hp FWD: both 9.9 s. Diesel FWD manuals: 1.8 MT 9.9 s, 1.5 MT 10.1 s. Slowest measured: 1.5 AT AWD 11.9 s, then restyle 1.8 AT AWD 11.5 s. 2.0 AT 156 hp FWD (1 generation): 0–100 not measured.

Automatic versus Manual on the same engine and drive, restyle: 1.8 AT FWD is 1.1 s slower than 1.8 MT FWD (11.0 vs 9.9); 1.8 AT AWD is 1.0 s slower than 1.8 MT AWD (11.5 vs 10.5); 2.0 AT 121 hp is 0.9 s slower than 2.0 MT 121 hp (9.9 vs 9.0); 2.0 AT 150 hp is 0.9 s slower than 2.0 MT 150 hp (9.7 vs 8.8). AWD versus FWD on the restyle diesel: +0.6 s Manual, +0.5 s Automatic.

Top speed. Peak 200 km/h: both 2.0 MT 150 hp AWD cars. Restyle 2.0 AT 150 hp 195 km/h; 2.0L SKYACTIVE-G 197 km/h; 2.0 MT 121/120 hp FWD both 192 km/h. Slowest measured: 1.5 SKYACTIVE-G 170 km/h — 14 km/h below the slowest diesel Automatic AWD of the first block (1.5 AT AWD 172 km/h). 1.5 AT FWD (2014–2018) and 2.0 AT 156 hp FWD: top speed not measured.

Fuel use (l/100 km) and CO2. Lowest mixed: 1.5 MT FWD 4.0 (city 4.4 / highway 3.8), 105 g/km. Restyle diesel floor: 1.8 MT FWD 4.4 (4.8 / 4.1), 114 g/km — +0.4 mixed, +9 g/km. Highest measured mixed: restyle 2.0 MT 150 hp AWD 7.0 (8.5 / 6.1), 160 g/km. Pre-restyle same name: 6.4 (8.1 / 5.5), 150 g/km. Gasoline FWD manuals: restyle 2.0 MT 121 hp 6.2 versus pre-restyle 2.0 MT 120 hp 5.9. 2.0L SKYACTIVE-G mixed 5.8, city and highway not measured, 135 g/km — 0.3 under restyle 2.0 AT 121 hp mixed (6.1) and 5 g/km under its 140 g/km. 1.5 SKYACTIVE-G: city, highway, mixed, and CO2 all not measured. 1.5 AT FWD (2014–2018): consumption not measured; CO2 112 g/km. 2.0 AT 156 hp FWD: consumption and CO2 not measured.

Euro 6 on every version.

Dimensions and weight: kg per horsepower, tank, clearance

Kerb range with a figure: 1155 kg (2.0 MT 120 hp FWD, 1 generation) to 1355 kg (2.0L SKYACTIVE-G). 2.0 AT 156 hp FWD (1 generation): kerb and gross not measured. 1.5 SKYACTIVE-G: kerb 1315 kg, gross not measured.

kg per hp (kerb ÷ hp): 2.0 MT 150 hp AWD 2014–2018 = 8.23 (1235/150); restyle twin 8.37 (1256/150); 2.0 AT 150 hp AWD 8.43 then 8.59; 2.0L SKYACTIVE-G 8.69 (1355/156); 2.0 MT 120 hp 9.63; restyle 2.0 MT 121 hp 9.79; restyle 1.8 MT FWD 10.81; 1.5 SKYACTIVE-G 11.34; 1.5 MT AWD 12.14; 1.5 AT AWD 12.33. The 150 hp AWD manuals carry the least mass per horsepower; the early diesel Automatic AWD carries the most.

AWD diesel mass penalty, restyle: 1.8 MT AWD 1307 kg versus FWD 1243 kg (+64 kg); 1.8 AT AWD 1332 versus FWD 1261 (+71 kg). Gross: 1690 kg (2.0 MT 120 hp) to 1840 kg (1.8 AT AWD restyle).

Tank: 44 l through April 2018, 48 l from March 2019. Clearance 155 mm except 2.0L SKYACTIVE-G and 1.5 SKYACTIVE-G at 165 mm. Wheels 215/60 R16 and 215/50 R18 on every version that lists them; both SKYACTIVE-G names: wheels not measured. Front brakes Ventilated disc, rear Disc, front suspension Independent, spring, on all 19 versions.

Which version to choose

Lowest measured fuel and CO2: 1.5 MT FWD, 1 generation — 4.0 l/100 km mixed, 105 g/km, 10.1 s, 177 km/h, 1200 kg. If you need Automatic and still want a diesel FWD, 1.5 AT FWD is the only such pairing; 0–100 is 10.6 s, top speed and consumption not measured, CO2 112 g/km.

Same diesel idea after restyle: 1.8 MT FWD — 115 hp, 9.9 s (0.2 s quicker than 1.5 MT FWD), 4.4 mixed, 48 l tank. Do not pick restyle diesel AWD Automatic if economy is the reason: 1.8 AT AWD is 11.5 s, 5.2 mixed, 137 g/km, 1332 kg — 1.6 s and 0.8 l/100 km worse than 1.8 MT FWD, and 64–89 kg heavier than the FWD diesels.

Fastest / most power per kilogram: 2.0 MT 150 hp AWD. Pre-restyle is 8.7 s, 8.23 kg/hp, 6.4 mixed, 150 g/km, 44 l. Restyle is 8.8 s, 8.37 kg/hp, 7.0 mixed, 160 g/km, 48 l. Automatic equivalent 2.0 AT 150 hp AWD costs 0.9 s either side of 2019.

Gasoline FWD without AWD mass: 2.0 MT 120 hp (9.0 s, 192 km/h, 5.9 mixed, 1155 kg) or restyle 2.0 MT 121 hp (9.0 s, 192 km/h, 6.2 mixed, 1184 kg). Torque 204 versus 206 Nm. Automatic twins both 9.9 s / 187 km/h; restyle mixed 6.1 versus 5.8 pre-restyle.

Highest listed horsepower on FWD Automatic: 2.0 AT 156 hp (1 generation) — 156 hp / 204 Nm, 0–100, top speed, consumption, CO2, kerb, and gross all not measured — versus 2.0L SKYACTIVE-G at 156 hp / 208 Nm, 9.1 s, 197 km/h, mixed 5.8, 135 g/km, 1355 kg, 165 mm. If you need the numbers filled in, the restyle name is the one that has them.

Avoid if you want measured performance and mpg: 1.5 SKYACTIVE-G — 116 hp, 152 Nm, 11.2 s, 170 km/h, 1315 kg, consumption and CO2 not measured, 165 mm. It is 1.3 s slower than 1.8 MT FWD diesel and 2.5 s slower than 2.0 MT 121 hp, with 54 Nm less than the 2.0 gasoline.

AWD only when the extra kilograms buy a 150 hp gasoline, not a 105–115 hp diesel. Diesel AWD adds 64–75 kg on the 1.5 manuals/automatics and 64–71 kg on the 1.8s, for 10.5–11.9 s and mixed 4.7–5.2. Gasoline 2.0 MT 150 hp AWD is still 8.7–8.8 s at 1235–1256 kg.

There is no price field in the data, so “what the extra money buys” is what the extra hardware buys: Automatic costs about 0.9–1.1 s and 0.4–0.8 l/100 km on matched restyle pairs; AWD on diesel costs 0.5–0.6 s and 0.4–0.8 l/100 km; stepping from 120/121 hp FWD to 150 hp AWD buys 0.2–1.2 s and 0.5–0.8 l/100 km more mixed fuel; stepping from 2014–2018 to restyle buys +4 l of tank, +10 hp on diesel, +1 hp on the small 2.0, and usually +0.3 to +0.6 l/100 km mixed on like-for-like gasoline.