Compare: Mazda CX-3 vs Mazda CX-5

So, you’ve got a compact crossover in mind for your next vehicle. And you want one that’s both fun to drive AND great on gas, affordable AND packed with today’s top features. Yeah, that’s a pretty stringent set of criteria, but you’re on the right track if you’re thinking Mazda’s got a solution for you! The winning lineup from Mazda, thanks in large part to Skyactiv technology, has everything you need — now the question is: Which model is right for you? Whether you’re looking for a family hauler or something to suit your personal cargo needs, you may want to compare the Mazda CX-3 to the Mazda CX-5. And we’ll help you do just that! 

The Mazda CX-5 is a well-established, multiple award-winning crossover that’s on par with many of today’s most well-known crossovers (check out this comparison we did contrasting the Mazda CX-5 vs Toyota Rav4 as an example of what we mean). The Mazda CX-3, a newcomer to the scene and a much-welcomed addition not only to the Mazda line-up but to the crossover segment as a whole, bursts onto the scene this year prepared to gain its own loyal following. So how are they different?

Size Matters

Overall, the CX-3 is a smaller vehicle than the CX-5. It’s about eleven inches shorter from front to back, four inches shorter in height, and has about three less inches of width. Seating capacity stays in line with the five seats you see offered on the CX-5, but you can expect a little less space overall, in line with the overall difference in dimensions.

Power & Efficiency

You won’t see a huge difference in power between these two models when both are equipped with the 2.0-liter 4-cylinder Skyactiv-G engine (the CX-5 has the option of a larger 2.5-liter while the CX-3, for the time being, has only the one choice): The CX-3 is rated at 146 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque, while the CX-5 gets 155 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque.

The CX-3 will only come with a 6-speed automatic transmission, so a comparison between the two for fuel economy will center on each model’s automatic transmission with the standard front-wheel drive (both have an AWD option). Those ratings are 26 city/33 highway for the Mazda CX-5 and 29 city/35 highway for the CX-3.

Features

As far as standard and available features, you can expect a lot of these elements to be quite similar for the two crossover models. The new CX-3 will offer an available bundle called I-Activesense that includes lane departure, rear cross-traffic alerts, automatic braking, adaptive cruise control, and rain-sensing wipers. These options are available on the CX-5 as well.

To learn more about these two Mazda models, or to be among the first to test drive and own the new 2016 Mazda CX-3, give us a call here at Holiday Mazda in Fond du Lac!