Road tests

Mazda CX-3 GT Sport 2017 review

The updated Mazda CX-3 gains a new GT Sport trim with plenty of extra kit, but is it worth the extra money?

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7 Aug 2017

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4.0

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While the Mazda CX-3 GT Sport gets a sportier look, leather interior and free metallic paint, it costs over £2,000 more than the standard Sport Nav car. It’ll only be worth it for some, but the CX-3 is a handsome, good-to-drive crossover regardless of spec and trim.

Mazda recently made a few small tweaks to its CX-3 crossover, adding some extra tech as well as a new limited-run model called the GT Sport.

Only 500 will be made, each benefitting from a special body kit and new leather trim, while a set of 18-inch alloy wheels are also included. The CX-3 was already a handsome car, but this GT Sport looks great with its extra bells and whistles.

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It still has the ability to match its enhanced looks, too, since the CX-3 is already one of the best-handling cars in its class. The steering could do with a bit more feel but it’s quick and responsive, which complements the grippy and engaging chassis.

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New G-Vectoring tech has been added to the CX-3 range, which subtly helps turn-in by optimising engine torque sent to the wheels. It’s also designed to reduce the need for small steering inputs on straight roads, which helps make long journeys more comfortable.

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We spent almost 1,000 miles behind the wheel of the CX-3 GT Sport and found that it was admirably comfy on longer trips. In fact, after most of the day on the road the hard seat bottoms were the only real source of discomfort.

While the ride isn’t as soft as on rivals such as Citroen’s C4 Cactus, the CX-3 is still smooth enough on the motorway. Even on these larger wheels the CX-3 is a comfortable car, though the lower-profile tyres mean there is a bit more road noise.

Mazda has added extra sound deadening with this latest update, but it’s not enough to keep things completely hushed at speed. The six-speed manual gearbox is also excellent, with a slick action and relatively short throw.

The 118bhp 2.0-litre engine doesn’t have the torquey power delivery found in turbocharged rivals, making it a more relaxed performer. The naturally-aspirated unit is powerful enough if you give it some revs, however. It also stayed remarkably close to its claimed economy figures on our long trip.

For comparison, Mazda says the CX-3 will do 47.9mpg combined, while Audi claims its entry-level Q2 1.0 TFSI will return 55.4mpg.