Mazda CX-3 and 3rd Generation Atenza - 2019 minor change

The CX-3 compact crossover and the third-generation Atenza sedan and wagon, two of Mazda's popular models known for their edgy styling, driver-focused interior, blend of performance and ecology, and trademark Mazda quality that made them the talk of the town, are on their 2019 model year and they've gained some minor changes to keep them fresh for more to come with these popular picks from the Mazda lineup. Let's examine what's new with these cars.

2019 Mazda CX-3

2019 Mazda CX-3 interior

Beginning on the CX-3, the 2019 minor change features a new front grille, new chrome accents, new taillights, and new 18-inch wheels on the exterior while on the inside, the CX-3 has new front seats, redesigned center console and armrests, electronic parking brake in place of the handbrake lever, and a few changes around on the passenger side to make it more accommodating for the passengers.

Under the hood, the CX-3 minor change adds a brand new SKYACTIV-D 1.8L engine with Natural Sound Smoother. As the smoothest, quietest, and cleanest SKYACTIV-D engine Mazda has ever made, this brand new diesel engine produces 116PS of power and 270Nm of torque. Fuel economy, based on WLTC Mode standards, is around 20 to 23.2km/L for front wheel drive variants while 4WD variants get about 19-21.2km/L.

Of course, if you are not a diesel fan, Mazda can offer you a CX-3 with a SKYACTIV-G 2.0L engine, which is now revamped to produce 150PS of power and 195Nm of torque. Fuel economy can get up to 16.2km/L for front wheel drive variants and 15.2 for 4WD variants.

The CX-3 features G-VECTORING CONTROL which uses engine timing to control chassis dynamics and when coupled with the i-ACTIV AWD system which adapts control of the driving force distribution between the front and rear wheels, it works like a charm if you know how to tread this carefully. Besides, it won't be it without Mazda's i-ACTIVSENSE suite of safety systems such as Smart Brake Support, Mazda Radar Cruise Control, Smart City Brake Support, Hi-Beam Control System, Lane Departure Warning System, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and Blind Spot Monitoring.

The new CX-3 starts at 2,127,600 Japanese Yen.

2019 Mazda Atenza

2019 Mazda Atenza Wagon

2019 Mazda Atenza interior

Let's move on to the third-generation Mazda Atenza range and for the second minor change, it's now the best-looking Atenza yet to offer for executive car buyers, probably because the front face has been revamped to make it look mature, which is great for an executive saloon and wagon of that size, and the rear view has been revamped dramatically so that the body color extends to the lower bumper section.

Inside, the dashboard's heavily revised to make it more luxurious because they've added some wooden trim for a touch of class and then, there's the new Active Driving Display on the windscreen, which is very good but that could just spoil the driver-focused interior with the premium feel into it.

The SKYACTIV-G 2.0L and 2.5L petrol engines and the SKYACTIV-D 2.2L diesel engine has been revamped to meet WLTC Mode standards. Petrol engines are mated exclusively with a SKYACTIV-DRIVE 6AT while the diesel engine is mated with either this or the 6-speed SKYACTIV-MT. Little did you know that the SKYACTIV-G 2.5L petrol engine now employs a new cylinder deactivation system for better fuel efficiency while delivering 190PS of power and 252Nm of torque? Anyway, since these engines are revamped to meet such new standards, petrol variants can get up from 14.2 - 15.0km/L of fuel efficiency while the best-seller diesel variant can get up to 19.6km/L.

With G-Vectoring Control and i-ACTIV AWD at hand, in addition to Mazda's i-ACTIVSENSE suite of safety systems, not only the new Atenza feels good to drive full stop but it's reliable and safer to drive on the journey home from another day at the office.

The new Atenza range starts at 2,829,600 Yen for sedan and wagon variants.

Photo: Mazda Motor Corporation

Upcoming CX-3 petrol variant first for new WTLC Mode standards

Mazda CX-3

After being available only with a diesel engine in the Japanese market, Mazda decided to bring the long-awaited petrol variant of their CX-3 compact crossover this summer. The petrol engine will be offered on the CX-3 is a 2.0L SKYACTIV-G petrol engine and it will be the first time this engine will undergo the new WTLC Mode standards.

What is WTLC Mode? Good question, ladies and gentlemen, because the WTLC (Worldwide harmonized light duty driving test cycle) or Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure, whatever you may call it, is a chassis dynamometer test calculate vehicles' fuel efficiency in urban areas (WLTC-L), residential areas (WLTC-M) and highways (WLTC-H), just like the EPA-estimated mileage or the EU combined fuel-efficiency cycle in so many ways and this is their new and proper way to determine how fuel-efficient a car should be. It will replace the JC08 Mode test cycle in October of next year and the next time you'll ask how fuel efficient a Japanese car will be, just remember that it will now be measured in WTLC Mode standards instead of obsolete ones like the 10-15 Mode or the JC08 Mode.

The petrol-variant CX-3 will be the first under this new fuel economy test cycle. In a 2.0L petrol variant with front-wheel drive, fuel efficiency will go by this; 122.km/L WLTC-L, 16.8km/L WLTC-M, and 18.0km/L WLTC-H. Overall, fuel efficiency will be 16km/L, WLTC Mode standard.

Any questions?

URL: http://autoc-one.jp/news/3356200/

Mazda CX-3

2016 Mazda CX-3

As Mazda's SKYACTIV revolution continues by providing exciting products that combine fuel efficiency and enjoyable performance at the same time, with the exception of Mazda's Axela Hybrid which feels like not a Mazda at all due to its hybrid powertrain and CVT nonsense, looks like the whole family's keep expanding with their newborn crossover, the CX-3.

Ah yes, another compact crossover in the stable but for this newcomer, the CX-3 is Mazda's ace-in-the-hole because of its performance and efficiency that stands out from the rest like all Mazda SKYACTIV cars do and if this car picks a fight against Europe, looks like this will have a fighting chance.

2016 Mazda CX-3

The CX-3 looks more of a Demio with some added ground clearance in and by the looks of it, the CX-3 looks very similar to the latest Demio especially when it inherits the signature Kodo -Soul in Motion- design philosophy. Although it's not half bad to look at for a Mazda, there are some loopholes on the exterior design and I believe that it's the side view that looks like a discarded mess. But it doesn't even matter to those who are trying to own one for daily use.

2016 Mazda CX-3 interior

2016 Mazda CX-3 interior

Yes, it's all typical Mazda interior and it's been made to be more driver-focused thanks to its new Human Machine Interface, allowing them to concentrate on their driving while dealing with chunks of info around them. There's also this new Mazda Connect where you can stream internet radio, access navigation, and so much more, which is nice. The seating position is not half bad and although it looks small, its roominess is pretty decent. What's more boggling is the rear seats that are positioned higher than the first row so they can get a clear view of the road ahead.

The boot space isn't so bad and with the capacity of 350 liters with all seats present, you can fit most of your grocery shopping in it, which is nice and best of all, the rear seats can be folded down for more space.

2016 Mazda CX-3

The only engine available for the CX-3 is the revolutionary SKYACTIV-D 1.5L engine and the reason why it's available in diesel only is because of its Demio cousin due to its success with the diesel variant. For this new crossover, this SKYACTIV-D 1.5L engine is much more different than the Demio because of its world's first "Natural Sound Smoother" which suppresses the diesel knock sound while on the standstill or slow acceleration, for a much refined feel unlike any other clean diesels known to mankind. This engine produces 105PS of power and 270Nm of torque. It can be mated with either a 6-speed SKYACTIV-DRIVE automatic (with 23.2km/L fuel economy) or a more enjoyable 6-speed SKYACTIV-MT gearbox (with 25.0km/L fuel economy).

Thanks to its cleverly unique SKYACTIV-CHASSIS, the CX-3 feels more enjoyable to drive without the drama included and for 4WD models, it comes with Mazda's brand new i-ACTIV AWD system which adapts control of the driving force distribution between the front and rear wheels. It's kinda similar to the ALLGRIP from the Suzuki SX4 S-Cross in so many ways and this clever feature adapts through any kind of road situations, be it dry, wet, frozen, or dirty.

No CX-3 will be complete without Mazda's i-ACTIVSENSE suite of safety systems such as Smart Brake Support, Mazda Radar Cruise Control, Smart City Brake Support, Hi-Beam Control System, Lane Departure Warning System, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and Blind Spot Monitoring.

The new CX-3 starts at 2,376,000 Japanese Yen, which is over 300,000 more than the recently launched Suzuki SX4 S-Cross but this is more affordable to own than the Peugeot 2008 or the Renault Captur.

So, what to like about the new CX-3? It's performance, it's value for money, its quality, and overall, its capability as an all-rounder. What's not to like is the stale interior that we can expect on future Mazdas and the idea of offering it as a diesel-only car. Nevertheless, clean diesel is Mazda's way forward because this powertrain championed the Japanese carmaker and so does the CX-3.

Available Colors: Ceramic Metallic, Soul Red Premium Metallic, Crystal White Pearl Mica, Jet Black Mica, Meteor Grey Mica, Deep Crystal Blue Mica, Titanium Flash Mica, and Dynamic Blue Mica.

Photo: Mazda Motor Corporation