News: Mazda to debut CX-3 crossover at LA motor show next month

ANY MANUFACTURER worth its salt knows it needs a compact crossover or small SUV in its line-up. After the runaway success of the Nissan Juke, it’s surprising Mazda has taken so long to put its own model into the ring, particularly when its CX-5 mid-size SUV is doing so well in the class above.

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The Japanese car maker aims to set things right by launching its own compact SUV next month at the Los Angeles motor show. What’s more, the car is being fast-tracked: Mazda has elected to skip the concept phase and is pulling the sheets from what it says is the finished product.

The CX-3 is a chunky, city-friendly soft-roader with strong hints of Mazda’s Kodo design philosophy, which attempts to convey motion in a stationary vehicle through sharp lines, sweeping flanks and bulging wheelarches.

The CX-3 will be the little brother to the CX-5 and will boast “the full range of Skyactiv technology”, according to Mazda. It will probably be offered with a similar engine line-up to that found in the new Mazda2, namely a 1.5-litre petrol producing 113bhp and a 104bhp diesel of the same capacity.

Mazda’s newest baby will enter a fiercely contested market segment, going toe to toe with the Nissan Juke, Renault Captur, Kia Soul and Skoda Yeti.

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