Update for Mazda CX-3 finally on the way

It might be one of Japanese brand Mazda’s most long in the tooth models, but the CX-3 has had surprising sticking power as one of its best-selling nameplates in New Zealand. And now, it looks like a new model is set to be revealed next year. 

Mazda recently published its mid-year financial report. In it, it confirmed that a next-gen CX-3 is going to be unveiled in 2027. Actual local release timing remains unknown. 

It is expected that the CX-3 will be built on Mazda’s own architecture, as opposed to the likes of the fully electric 6e sedan. International reports suggest that the model will most likely come with pure petrol and hybrid powertrains in its arsenal. 

The current CX-3 has been in production since 2014, and has been a staple for Mazda’s New Zealand arm. 

Despite its age, the CX-3 is one of Mazda’s best-performing models in New Zealand. 

Year-to-date, a total of 291 CX-3s have been registered locally. This makes it the brand’s third most popular model here behind the CX-5 and the CX-30, which have notched up 749 and 360 registrations, respectively. 

The current CX-3 is currently offered in three trim levels; the $33,890 GLX, the $38,940 GSX, and the $42,190 SP20 range topper. 

All three models are powered by Mazda’s 2.0-litre SkyActiv-G 4-cylinder petrol engine, which produces 110kW of power, 195Nm of torque, and has a claimed combined fuel economy figure of 7.0L/100km. 

The segment in which the CX-3 sits is a totally different beast these days, compared to how it looked back in 2014 when the model first arrived. 

The class has been inundated with new rivals, including the Chery Tiggo 4, Haval Jolion, Omoda C5, Jaecoo J5, and more. This is on top of the existing field of rivals that have all been updated in relatively recent times, including the Honda HR-V and Toyota Yaris Cross.

Note that each of these nameplates, barring the C5, is available with a hybrid powertrain. 

There is also a growing number of similarly sized pure electric competitors, like the Dongfeng Vigo, ArcFox T1, BYD Atto 2, Omoda E5, and Jaecoo J5 EV.

Out of these nameplates, the Yaris Cross and Tiggo 4 have been the strongest sellers this year, with 951 and 748 registrations year-to-date.