Mazda CX-3 future in doubt as compact SUV gets the axe in Japan

The long-running Mazda CX-3 could be on its last legs, with production ending for the Japanese market.

The light crossover SUV – which was first revealed in 2014 – is currently built in Thailand for markets like Japan and Australia, as well as in Mexico for that market.

However, Mazda’s Japanese website now has a notice reading: “Production of the Mazda CX-3 for the domestic market will end at the end of February 2026.”

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"In Thailand, production of CX-3 is continuing, and we will announce future product plans at an appropriate time. In addition, CX-3 will also continue at the Mexico plant," said a Mazda Australia spokesperson when asked what the implications of this announcement are for our market.

"Going forward, Mazda will continue to optimise its product lineup and production locations based on market demand and regulatory requirements in each global market.

"Also, from Mazda Australia’s perspective, we will of course continue to offer CX-3 locally for the foreseeable future."

This could therefore simply be the latest in a staggered phase-out of the CX-3. It was axed in key markets like the US and Europe all the way back in 2021, though it lives on in markets like Mexico and various Southeast Asian nations.

Mazda did a similar thing with the Mazda 6, axing it in the US and Canada in 2021, in the UK in 2023, in China and Japan in 2024, and then in Australia in 2025. The even older mid-sizer persists in a handful of markets in Asia, including Malaysia and Thailand.

It’s unclear, then, how much longer it’ll be before Australia joins the list of markets no longer offering the CX-3.

The company teased what appeared to be design sketches of a CX-3 replacement 12 months ago, ahead of a new vehicle entering production at its Thai plant in 2027, though it subsequently revealed a very similar-looking concept vehicle at October’s Japan Mobility Show previewing what appeared to be a Mazda 2 replacement.

Despite the introduction of the CX-30 small SUV in 2019, Mazda Australia kept the CX-3 around as a smaller, more affordable alternative.

Sitting in VFACTS’ ‘Light SUV’ segment, the ageing CX-3 remains a strong seller. It even outsells the Toyota Yaris Cross, despite the fact it’s a much newer model from Australia’s number-one brand.

Mazda Australia delivered 15,429 CX-3s last year, ahead of the Yaris Cross (10,928) but down 16.4 per cent on the year before.

For 2025, Mazda Australia dropped the entry-level CX-3 variant, raising the base price by $3420. This was part of a running update that also brought more equipment across the range and detail changes like new wheel designs.

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