2016 Mazda CX-3: Dog-Friendly Adventures Start in the Driver's Seat #DriveMazda

As you know, a few weeks ago I was given the opportunity to test-ride the redesigned 2016 Mazda CX-3 Grand Touring in Dynamic Blue Mica.  A subcompact crossover SUV, the sporty CX-3 combines the driveability of a small hatchback with the extra height of a crossover.

Adventures Start in the Driver’s Seat

The first thing we noticed was the new contrasting interior which gives the CX-3 both a sporty and sophisticated feel.

We really liked the sleek, sophisticated design aesthetic of the dashboard which is accented with three circular vents and an ingenious slat vent hidden within the chrome piece that slashes across the passenger side of the dash.  The two-tone seats and the red and metallic interior accents give the impression of being in a sports car rather than a subcompact crossover.

The CX-3 Grand Touring has a large central tachometer and integrated digital speedometer that are easy to read.  Although it took some getting used to, we really enjoyed the head-up pop-up display that comes up on the dashboard behind the steering wheel when you start the car.  It displays current speed as well as the distance to the car in front of you.  The head-up pop-up display is also part of the blind-spot and lane change safety systems.

And speaking of things that took some getting used to, the CX-3’s 7-inch touchscreen interface (which includes the navigation, AM/FM and Satellite radio) is only a touchscreen when the vehicle is not moving.  There is a toggle control knob on the center console below the gear shift which we found eliminates what we call “passenger radio limbo” – reaching for the touchscreen and missing due to hitting a bump in the road, etc.  Both Ma and Daddy-dog toggled easily while in the passenger seat but found it definitely takes some practice if you are the driver.

Mazda CX-3 Has You Covered

The 2016 Mazda CX-3 comes standard with antilock brakes, stability and traction control, front side airbags, side curtain airbags and a rearview camera.  The Grand Touring package adds the blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert as well as a collision mitigation system with automatic braking and the Lane Departure Warning system.

We love the blind-spot monitoring system and we thought we would love the Lane Departure Warning as well.  The Lane Departure Warning System is designed to detect the lane markings on the road and will warn the driver of unintentional lane departures.  It does recognize a lane change as intentional if you use the turn signal. 

We did not realize there were two settings for the Lane Departure Warning, which can be found, along with settings for the other safety systems, in the Touchscreen interface.  Our recommendation: do not have it set to “Before” (like we did) because if you do, the alarm will sound quite often as the system is sensitive to lane lines and curbs/dividers along the road.  I believe if we had it set to the slightly less sensitive setting, we would have appreciated this safety system more.

The other new safety feature we liked was the Radar Cruise Control with Close Proximity Warning.  This safety feature is so cool.  You set the Cruise Control to your desired speed and then you set whether you would like to stay 1, 2, or 3 car lengths behind the vehicle in front of you.  The CX-3 does the rest for you by adjusting your cruise control speed to stay within the desired distance. 

Tour 2016 Mazda CX-3

The 2016 Mazda CX-3 is a pawesome, stylish and well-equipped vehicle that is super fun to drive.  If you are looking for a smaller SUV crossover that feels like a very sporty car, the Mazda CX-3 is for you!  You can check out some of the fun, sophisticated and sporty features in my video:

Oz the Terrier would like to thank friends at Drive Shop and Mazda for the opportunity to test-ride the new, redesigned 2016 Mazda CX-3. 
Zoom-Zoom!  Drive Mazda.  Driving Matters.