2026 Mazda CX-3 Evolve review

If you're in the market for a new car but the automotive industry is moving too quickly for you, then the Mazda CX-3 might be the antidote you’re looking for.

Having entered production 12 years ago, the Mazda CX-3 is at least a generation older than some of its small SUV counterparts – or up to four generations old, compared to the lifecycles of some models from Chinese automakers.

However, while prices have continued to surge, the CX-3 has remained relatively cheap – offering great value for those after a city-friendly SUV from a legacy brand.

Despite its age, the little Mazda remains the most popular model in its segment, outselling the likes of the Toyota Yaris Cross and Hyundai Venue by a good margin in 2025, according to VFACTS data.

But while sales remain strong, the writing is on the wall for this generation, with the current CX-3 having been axed in its home market of Japan.

There are green shoots, though. In May 2026, Mazda confirmed a new-generation CX-3 was on the way – this time, with production moving to Thailand.

So, as the sun sets on the current generation, we wanted to know – does the ageing Mazda CX-3 still have a place in the market?

How much does the Mazda CX-3 cost?

The entry-level 2026 Mazda CX-3 Pure is available from $30,990 drive-away, with the Evolve variant on test here being one rung up the ladder, at $34,625 drive-away.

When the CX-3 was first released, it was possible to purchase one for less than $20,000. However, that was for a manual – a transmission that was axed from the range back in 2023 – making the old entry-level CX-3 Neo auto the closest equivalent to the current CX-3 Pure, priced at $21,990 before on-roads in 2015 money.

With inflation and on-road costs, it actually means the current CX-3 Pure is a little cheaper than the Neo was when it was first released, but it comes with a lot more standard equipment and improved safety systems.

Its main segment competitors are the aforementioned Yaris Cross and Venue, as well as the Suzuki Jimny and Kia Stonic.

To see how the Mazda CX-3 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

What is the Mazda CX-3 like on the inside?

Not much has changed inside the Mazda CX-3 since it was launched all those years ago, which can be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on where you’re coming from.

For those of us lucky enough to jump in and out of new cars regularly, the CX-3 feels like stepping back in time. The infotainment system is small and antiquated, the head-up display is an early version of the technology, and some of the styling is from another era.

But that doesn’t necessarily mean the CX-3 should be wiped from your shortlist – particularly if you find yourself bamboozled by the latest wave of new cars hitting the market.

The Mazda still has a traditional automatic PRND shifter, real (and legible) buttons on the steering wheel, typical indicator and wiper stalks, an analogue rev counter, and dials for the climate control.

Those dials don’t exactly feel high-end, but it’s a joy to be able to change the temperature or fan speed without taking your eyes off the road, or being forced to dive into menus on the screen.

A big plus, too, are the shortcut buttons for the engine idle-stop function and some of the Advanced Driver Assist Systems (ADAS), such as the lane-departure warning.

Don’t expect a wireless phone charger though, let alone USB-C outlets, with the CX-3 still rocking the old-school USB-A ports down front, next to a 12V outlet.

There are a few items to remind you this is a brand-new car, like the electric handbrake button, the digital information displays next to the tachometer, and wireless Apple CarPlay.

After spending an annoyingly long time connecting my phone on the first day, I was getting frustrated with the infotainment on day two, thinking that the touchscreen had stopped working.

That was until my younger colleagues reminded me that the old Mazda system locks out the touchscreen functionality when the car is in motion, forcing you to use the selector wheel down next to the cupholders. Naturally, I cancelled their annual leave.

The thing is, the selector thingy doesn’t actually improve safety, because it scrolls through the icons on the screen in a way that doesn’t seem intuitive, and you have to pay attention to where it is and where it’s going. So rather than just glancing across to the screen and hitting the 15-second fast-forward button to skip the ads in the podcast, you’re now chasing the ‘pointer’ around the screen.

Having a reversing camera is always appreciated during parking, but the quality of the camera was only slightly better than the one on my Nokia in high school.

The plastics are also cheap – but so is the car, by today’s standards. Having said that, the interior feels pretty well bolted together, which I’d take over fancy materials any day of the week.

The Evolve grade does get Maztex, which is a faux leather upholstery with a lovely grey fabric backing on the seats, and either leather or something approximating leather wrapping the steering wheel.

It’s not a ballroom inside, but the front of the cabin is still a comfortable place for one or two people, with a good seating position and controls that are all exactly where you expect they’ll be.

The second row of seats and the boot are quite compact, with the design of the car clearly favouring the comfort of the driver and front passenger over rear occupants.

Which meant we almost got into trouble after getting a little overzealous during a visit to Ikea one night, after we decided, on a whim, to replace the rug in the dining room.

The boot was already filled with a couple of large bags of clothes to be donated, but thankfully the length of the cabin from the tailgate to the dashboard was exactly the same as a rolled-up rug. Nice.

To see how the Mazda CX-3 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

What's under the bonnet?

The Mazda CX-3 is powered by a 2.0-litre non-turbo four-cylinder petrol engine, sending 110kW of power and 195Nm of torque to the front wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission.

To see how the Mazda CX-3 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

How does the Mazda CX-3 drive?

Our Mazda CX-3 Evolve was used for commuting to the city, a trip down the Mornington Peninsula, and errands around the suburbs.

For bouncing around the city and suburban shops, it’s a pretty useful car.

However, like the cabin, the way it drives also feels a bit out of date – which is both a good thing and a bad thing.

Those who are stepping out of a car from the late 1990s or 2000s will find the Mazda relatively familiar. Small, easy to handle, and nothing overly artificial.

But if you’re looking for the latest and greatest, the engine and transmission are outclassed by basically everything else in the light SUV segment today.

Find yourself approaching a hill on the freeway, and you’ll naturally start squeezing the throttle to maintain your momentum. Nothing will happen, forcing you to add pressure with your right foot, until eventually the car wakes up, drops two gears, and the engine starts screaming.

That doesn’t mean you’ll be going faster, because the engine doesn’t much power – but the noise at least tells you it’s trying.

Typically, a lack of power means excellent fuel economy. And though Mazda claims combined fuel consumption of 6.3L/100km, the average we saw was 7.9L/100km. Or roughly the same as some Toyota HiLux and Ford Everest ute variants.

Compare that to the Yaris Cross we had recently, driven on the exact same roads by the exact same driver, which recorded 4.5L/100km from its hybrid powertrain.

While the CX-3 is not about to win any awards for its fuel-efficiency, it’s also not a hybrid, which means there’s less weight and, in theory, less to go wrong.

Again, the CX-3 suffers from being born in another era, with many of its contemporaries adopting turbochargers and electrification to boost performance. But readjust your expectations, and there is an element of fun to the little Mazda – particularly if you’re buzzing around the city every day, and don’t mind a little bit of steering weight.

A distinct advantage of its long toothiness is the fact that it has real gear ratios in its automatic transmission, instead of the whiny CVT found in the Toyota and others. Sure, it’s not as efficient, but it acts the way you expect an auto to.

On the road, its ADAS has all the right features, but thankfully doesn’t browbeat you at every opportunity – leaving you to just drive the car.

The CX-3 does beep inexplicably every time a door was closed, which is more annoying when coming home late or leaving early.

To see how the Mazda CX-3 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

What do you get?

Mazda has four variants available in the CX-3 lineup, and while the model isn't as feature-packed as some from Chinese brands, there's a good list of standard equipment across the range.

2026 Mazda CX-3 Pure equipment highlights:

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Automatic LED headlights
• Automatic high-beam
• LED daytime running lights
• LED tail-lights
• Power-folding exterior mirrors
• Head-up display
• 8.0-inch infotainment screen
• Wired Android Auto
• Wireless and wired Apple CarPlay
• Satellite navigation
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Climate control air-conditioning
• Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
• Six-speaker sound system
• DAB+ digital radio
• Tilt and telescopic steering column adjustment
• Cloth seat upholstery
• Electric parking brake with auto hold
• Keyless start

The Evolve adds:

• 18-inch black machined alloy wheels
• LED front fog lights
• Keyless entry
• Black leatherette upholstery, including seats, centre console and door trims

The GT SP adds:

• Heated power-folding exterior mirrors
• Heated front seats
• Leather/Grand Luxe synthetic suede upholstery
• Power driver’s seat with lumbar adjustment
• 7-speaker Bose sound system

The Akari adds:

• Single-pane sunroof
• Adaptive LED headlights
• Leather upholstery
• 360-degree camera

To see how the Mazda CX-3 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

Is the Mazda CX-3 safe?

The Mazda CX-3's previous five-star score from ANCAP has now expired, leaving the model 'unrated' by the independent auto safety watchdog.

Standard safety equipment includes:

• Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
  • Pedestrian detection
• Adaptive cruise control
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Driver attention alert
• Lane departure warning
• Front, front-side and curtain airbags
• Reversing camera
• Rear parking sensors

Evolve variants and above gain front parking sensors, while the GT SP and up receive traffic sign recognition.

To see how the Mazda CX-3 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

How much does the Mazda CX-3 cost to run?

Mazda offers a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty for the CX-3, with roadside assistance available for the duration of the warranty period.

Mazda offers up to seven years of estimated service costs, based on intervals of 12 months or 15,000km.

To see how the Mazda CX-3 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

CarExpert's Take on the Mazda CX-3 Evolve

The Mazda CX-3 is quickly being overtaken by its competition in the light SUV segment – not that its sales figures reflect that, showing there's still an obvious desire out there for uncomplicated cars.

On the road, it seemed to find itself out of its depth in anything other than city driving – but for that exact thing, it’s a handy companion. The traditional automatic works well in traffic, it’s a breeze to park, and it’s, frankly, not embarrassing to drive.

It’s also pretty comfortable, built well, and has bulletproof reliability.

In an age of digital and electric everything, the Mazda CX-3 comes across as a bit of an antidote. Its non-turbo ‘big-block’ engine produces so little power and, as a result, is so under-stressed that there’s a better chance Mad Max will be driving a CX-3 than a V8 Falcon after the apocalypse comes.

It’s not perfect, with an infotainment system created back when Mel Gibson still had a career, less engine power than my electric toothbrush, and some basic tech missing (like a wireless phone charger) despite being all but standard across the industry at this point.

I also wasn’t quite as enamoured with the CX-3’s driving dynamics as Josh was in late 2025, but while ‘character’ feels like too generous a word to describe it, I can’t deny the Mazda does have a little something about it that's endearing. Let’s just say I wouldn’t be mad if the rental-car desk handed me the keys to one after a long flight.

Clearly, the Mazda CX-3 has some mojo, given how many Australians have put down – and continue to put down – their hard-earned to park one in their driveway.

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MORE: Explore the Mazda CX-3 showroom