The attractive and fun to drive 2018 Mazda CX-3 stands out in the compact crossover segment

At Colonial Mazda have watched the compact crossover segment rapidly grow and it's not surprising. Many drivers want vehicles that are a little larger than a sedan, but not as a big as an SUV, and this segment has catered to them quite nicely. Our contender in the compact crossover arena is the Mazda CX-3, a relatively new model that was first available for the 2016 model year.

 This segment is surprisingly diverse, though, and the models stand out in different ways. Some are known for surprising cargo-hauling capabilities, notable ground clearance, or a slew of advanced safety features. The 2018 Mazda CX-3 has a reputation for sleek design, performance, and technology. It's truly an eye-catcher in the segment and has an enthusiastic drive quality, which we cannot say is common amongst the rivals! To show you why the 2018 Mazda CX-3 is a compact crossover you need to have on your radar, we're going to looking at the vehicle's standard equipment, safety features, and technology, as well as touch on the three available trims.

Standard Equipment, Safety, and Technology

All Mazda CX-3 models are powered by a 2.0L 4-cylinder SKYACTIV® engine. It has 146 horsepower and 146 lb-ft of torque. As we mentioned earlier, owners enjoy driving this vehicle and the efficient engine returns promising fuel ratings for city and highway. Other standard design elements that help the Mazda CX-3 stand out are a rear roofline spoiler, shark fin antennae, and dual exhaust outlets. It's worth noting that like other vehicles in the new Mazda lineup, the Mazda CX-3 was also built under the Mazda KODO design principle of "Soul in Motion"- a build ethos that gives the vehicles a fast appearance, even when they're standing still.

For safety features all Mazda CX-3 crossovers have a rearview camera for confident reversing and parallel parking, the E911 automatic emergency notification, and Smart City Brake Support (new for 2018) that operates under some conditions when the vehicle is going anywhere from 2-18 miles per hour.  More advanced safety features you can get on the higher trims include Blind Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

In terms of convenience technology, the Mazda CX-3 stands out with a sleek and standard 7-inch touchscreen that features MAZDA CONNECT™. There's also a standard push button start, Bluetooth handsfree call and music streaming, voice command, and SMS text delivery and reply. Technology on the higher trims gets flashier, of course. There's navigation, a beautiful-sounded Bose® premium 7-speaker system, a SiriusXM subscription, and an Active driving display that projects information like speed limit on the windshield so you're always in the know.

Looking at the trims

Shopping for the 2018 Mazda CX-3 is delightfully straightforward, thanks to three, well-rounded selections for shoppers to decide between. The three choices are: Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring.

We'll work our way up and start with the Sport trim. If you're on a budget, or looking for the most attractive leasing price, the Sport trim is your best bet and for a base it's well-equipped. We already touched on some of the standard features, like rearview camera, push button start, and Smart City Brake Support. There's also cloth-trimmed seats that can be manually adjusted 6 ways and auto-off headlights so you won't come out to a dead battery because you forgot to switch the lights. The Sport has an automatic transmission.

The next option is Touring and it's one of the more popular trims. The Touring has leatherette-trimmed sports seats. They give a more premium look to the car and they're heated, which is always appreciated during the cold months. There's also a leather-trimmed steering wheel and shift knob. The wheels also grow from 16-inches to 18-inches for a sharper look. On the technology side, Touring drivers will have Advanced Blind Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Traffic Alert, as well as the keyless entry that pairs nicely with the push button start.

Last up is the Grand Touring and it has all the bells and whistles. In place of leatherette seats drivers will have leather-trimmed seats with Lux Suede® inserts. The steering wheel has paddle shifters for a little more control driving around the Danbury, Norwalk, Milford, Stamford, and Waterbury CT areas we serve. We think you'll love the moonroof and booming Bose® system as well! On the Grand Touring you'll also find the Active driving display and LED lights for all-around better visibility.  Lastly, there's an integrated navigation system so you won't get lost driving to Point B.  

Come see us at Colonial Mazda

With its sharp exterior looks and interior vibes that have a class-above meets sporty feel, the 2018 Mazda CX-3 is an appealing choice for the driver who appreciates good design and drive quality. We have a fine selection to choose from and our friendly-staff are excited to help you find the right trim for your driving needs and budget. Stop in this week to get the process started!