The Mazda CX-3 Carbon Edition is too little car for too much money

I remember having the Mazda CX-30 on test last year and feeling like it was the perfect sporty crossover from the brand that encompassed that sporty feeling both inside and outside its vehicles. No matter how low the driver’s seat, it provided that feeling and had sufficient space to carry the family around with no issues. This year, I jumped into the Mazda CX-3 Carbon Edition, which is sort of a baby version of the CX-30.

I had my reservations from the start. The CX-30 did not need to get any smaller. The CX-3 is compact, to the extreme.

On a short trip from Sandton to Pretoria, we struggled with space for four adults and a child. That’s when I began to wonder why the CX-3 exists in the space between the Mazda 3 and the Mazda CX-30. Now, don’t get me wrong, while space is an issue, the vehicle’s styling is attractive.

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The CX-3 Carbon Edition is characterised by a bold, sporty design highlighted by a black roof, black mirrors and 18-inch black metallic alloy wheels. The “Carbon Kit” includes a contrasting black roof and matching black side mirrors for a modern aesthetic. It’s a mixed bag on the inside.

Mazda always provides comfortable seats but this vehicle lacked room. I didn’t have an issue with the 8-inch infotainment system even though it felt small compared to what you get in other vehicles nowadays. I’m a huge fan of Mazda’s commander dial that exists in the centre console, allowing the driver to control the screen effortlessly without having to touch it. However, as seen in the new Mazda CX-5, the feature will no longer be available as Mazda has moved to the world of touchscreens.

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