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MAZDA CX-3

SUV Eruption: 2018 Hyundai Kona

May 24, 2018 by admin 14 Comments

Hyundai’s smallest SUV is big on surprises.

2018 Hyundai Kona
The 2018 Hyundai Kona brings sportiness to the small SUV range.

Let it be known that Hyundai arrived late to the subcompact SUV game. Let it also be known that despite its late entry, the 2018 Kona ranks up there with the very best models available.

Indeed, the 2018 Hyundai Kona may have been a long time coming, but the result is a model that matches well against the competition. And not only that, the all-new Kona is stylish, relatively affordable and offers available fun-to-drive characteristics.

2018 Hyundai Kona

Hyundai offers the 2018 Kona in four trims: SE ($19,500), SEL ($21,150), Limited ($24,700) and Ultimate ($27,400). Add $980 for the destination charge. Front-wheel drive is standard; all-wheel drive (with a multi-link rear suspension) is a $1,300 option. Hyundai offers two engine choices and two transmission options.

The Kona arrives as Hyundai shakes up its utility vehicle offerings. Slotting beneath the compact Tucson, the Kona is joined by a pair of midsize models: Santa Fe Sport (5 passengers) and Santa Fe (7 passengers). Beginning in 2019, the two models will be known respectively as the Santa Fe (5 passengers) and Santa Fe XL (7 passengers).

2018 Hyundai Kona

From Kona, With Love

As implied, the little Hyundai is named for the Kona community on the west side of the Big Island. Interestingly, the Kona’s arrival to the market coincides with the eruption of the Kilauea volcano, which resulted in Hawaii’s most powerful earthquake in decades, never mind the intense lava flow and the destruction it has caused.

Pele is mad and maybe offering a Hyundai Kona sacrifice will appease it. Is it worth a shot?

Stylish, Modern Exterior

As for the model at hand, it has an unmistakable sporty flair in its design. Its front fascia reminds me of the previous-generation Jeep Cherokee with its narrow LED daytime lights at the top with separate headlamps and fog lights below. The Hyundai grille has a distinct crown shape and the hood offers multiple creases.

Along the sides, you will find deep sculpting, contrasting wheel wells and an upswept belt line. I especially like the touch at the rear roof pillar with the ribbed design meeting the liftgate spoiler. At the rear, you will find narrow wraparound tail lamps and puzzle-like combination lamps.

Standard equipment includes automatic headlights, LED lights, 16-inch alloy wheels and a rear spoiler. Among the upgrades, you will find LED headlights and taillights, front fog lights, cornering lights, roof side rails, a power tilt-and-slide sunroof, power heated side mirrors, and 17- and 18-inch alloy wheels. You can also order a contrasting roof color — light gray or black — on select trims.

2018 Hyundai Kona

A Playful Cabin

Small SUVs mean correspondingly tiny cabins. But at least with this Hyundai, space is used wisely. It also makes for a usable rear seat, something the Ford EcoSport barely offers. I found the driver’s seat quite comfortable and very good sight lines present.

On paper, Hyundai shows room for five. Four is more like it. Cargo space measures 19.2 behind the second-row 60/40 split bench seat. Fold the seat down and you will find 45.8 cubic feet. That’s less than what the Honda HR-V and Mazda CX-3 offer, an arrangement that benefits seating room in the Kona. Hyundai supplies a temporary spare and a storage compartment under the floor starting with the SEL trim.

I will describe the Kona’s interior as “playful,” as in fun. My test model came with eye candy in the form of lime accents circling the vents and ignition button and the transmission shifter. Lime piping graces the seats as well. You will also find an instrument scoop, a large open area at the base of the center stack and ample in-door storage areas. The Kona is definitely geared toward youth who might toss camping gear inside or fit a surfboard on top.

Standard equipment includes power windows and door locks, cloth seats, a tilt-and-telescopic steering column and air conditioning. Options include a power driver’s seat with lumbar support, leather-trimmed seats, heated front seats, illuminated vanity mirrors and an automatic dimming rearview mirror.

2018 Hyundai Kona

Safety & Technology Highlights

Customers want tech features and Hyundai is very accommodating. The standard audio package includes six speakers, USB ports, an auxiliary audio jack, a seven-inch touch-screen display, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, and Siri and Google Now support. The connectivity features are at the top of their game — some luxury manufacturers still do not offer them or, as in the case of BMW, charge extra for them.

Options include HD Radio, satellite radio, wireless phone charging and an eight-speaker Infinity audio system. Blue Link connected car services come with the Ultimate trim exclusively.

On the safety front, all models have a rearview camera. Blind spot collision warning with rear cross-traffic assist is standard on all but the base trim. An available SEL Tech package adds Hyundai Smart Sense with forward collision avoidance assist with pedestrian detection, lane keeping assist and driver attention warning. The Ultimate model adds a head-up display, high beam assist and reverse parking distance warning.

2018 Hyundai Kona

A Matter of Performance

Hyundai supplies two engine choices with the 2018 Kona. The first engine is a 2.0-liter inline-four with 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque. This one is also found in the Elantra and works with a six-speed automatic transmission.

The Limited and Ultimate models have a turbocharged 1.6-liter inline-four cylinder engine, generating 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. Hyundai pairs this engine with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

My test Ultimate came with the hotted-up engine. I’ll reserve my comments about the base engine, which I’ve experienced in the Elantra. Suffice to say, it will get you where you’re going, but not with much excitement.

As for the turbo…oh, yeah! Once you get past the attendant turbo lag, the engine takes over with authority. Step-off acceleration is decent, but full-on power is a blast. My test model had all-wheel-drive and a multi-link independent rear suspension. This combination means the Kona is playful and tossable — take it on a twisty road and you may forget you are driving a utility vehicle. That the Kona sits relatively close to the ground is a benefit too — body roll was virtually non-existent. The transmission shifts gears with precision, serving up the right gear for the moment.

The last time I had as much fun with a tiny SUV as I did with this Hyundai Kona was five years ago. That is when my youngest son and I made the trek through the Appalachians in a Nissan Juke with a manual transmission. The little SUV bobbed and weaved, but it held its own.

I’m thinking the Kona would have performed just as well on that trek, especially when pulling out of switchbacks. It acquitted itself nicely when cornering, something not a lot of small cars are able to do. Mark my words: the turbo all-wheel-drive Kona will make a name for itself.

2018 Hyundai Kona

Parting Thoughts: 2018 Hyundai Kona

The 2018 Kona is more than it has to be, going beyond simply filling a hole in Hyundai’s product line. The new model provides an affordable entry point to the brand and supplies a performance-oriented model when combining the turbo engine with all-wheel drive.

A Kona EV joins the lineup this fall, supplying approximately 250 miles of range on one charge. That’s about 100 miles further than the Nissan Leaf I recently drove and should appeal to consumers in markets where the charging network is strong and the incentives generous.

You will pay about $27,000 for the Kona Limited with all-wheel drive, reflecting the higher price point for utility vehicles. The smaller storage compartment may be its most significant demerit, but that is partially offset by a larger passenger seating area. In all, the Hyundai Kona does more than the new Nissan Kicks and makes the Chevrolet Trax seem downright dated.



2018 Hyundai Kona Specifications

Hyundai 2018 Kona
Segment Subcompact Crossover SUV
Base Sticker Price $20,480 (including $980 destination fee)
Price as tested $29,805 (Ultimate AWD)
Standard Engine 2.0-liter, inline-four
Horsepower 147 @ 6,000 RPMs
Torque (lb.-ft.) 132 @ 4,500 RPMs
Transmission Six-speed automatic
Optional Engine 1.6-liter, turbo I4
Horsepower 175 @ 5,500 RPMs
Torque (lb.-ft.) 195 @ 1,500 to 4,500 RPMs
Transmission Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
Seating 2+3
Curb Weight (pounds) 2,890 (SE FWD); 3,344 (Limited AWD)
Wheelbase (inches) 102.4
Length (inches) 164.0
Width (inches) 70.9 (without mirrors)
Height (inches) 61.0
Headroom (f,r — inches) 39.6, 37.8
Legroom (f,r — inches) 41.5, 34.6
Shoulder room (f,r — inches) 55.5, 54.5
Hip room (f,r — inches) 53.3, 52.2
Storage (cubic feet) 19.2, 45.8
Gross vehicle weight (pounds) NR
Towing (pounds) Not recommended
Payload (pounds) 915/930
Fuel regular
Fuel Tank (gallons) 13.2
EPA Fuel MPG (city/highway) 25/30 (2.0L AWD); 28/32 (1.6L FWD)(
Manufacturing Plant Ulsan, Korea

See Also — Premium Compact: 2018 Hyundai Elantra Limited

Photos copyright Auto Trends Magazine. All rights reserved.

Filed Under: New Car Reviews Tagged With: 2018 SUVs, all-wheel drive, dual-clutch transmission, Hawaii, HONDA HR-V, Hyundai Kona, HYUNDAI TUCSON, MAZDA CX-3, turbo

Sport Ute: 2016 Mazda CX-3

January 18, 2016 by admin 21 Comments

Mazda does it again, serving up a new model with its fun-to-drive characteristics in place. The CX-3 is the smallest of its three SUVs, a crossover that might be mistaken for a hatchback.

2016 Mazda CX-3

The Mazda CX-3 makes for yet another entry in the small crossover SUV segment. This emerging class, blazed by the Nissan JUKE five years earlier, now includes models from Honda, Jeep, Chevrolet, Fiat, as well as Mazda. America’s love affair with all things elevated seating continues to grow unabated and shows no signs of easing. Thank you sub-two dollar per gallon fuel!

The Look of a Hatchback

While the other SUVs in this segment sport more of an SUV appearance, the argument can be made that this Mazda CX-3 is a tall hatchback. Such is the layout of this handsome little model with its curving belt line suggesting something other than an SUV.

Otherwise, the Mazda CX-3 offers an entirely familiar countenance, with the brand’s now familiar gaping upper grille and sporty lower grille marking its front fascia. This model’s presentation is further amplified with its sleek headlamps and slash embrasures housing available fog lamps.

Besides its curvilinear belt line, this SUV features hood indentations running from the grille to the windshield line. The side view reveals unusual dipping character lines and pronounced rocker panel molding. Additional molding surrounds the wheel wells.

From the rear, an oversized liftgate spoiler is present, offering a fitting accent to the clamshell door. The blacked out rear pillars give this model a unique “floating roof” look. Sleek, wraparound rear combination lamps with LED accents are present as are reflector lights and dual exhaust ports.

2016 Mazda CX-3

A Cleanly Arranged Cabin

Inside, the cabin is surprisingly uncluttered. A tilt and telescopic steering column is present with secondary driver controls on the face of the wheel. The instrument panel is punctuated by a large speedometer in its own housing and is presented right in the middle of the layout. To the left is the tachometer, to the right is a digital display with the requisite driver information controlled by switches located on the steering column.

Part of the CX-3’s clean look is achieved by placing the color display on top of the dashboard, just above the center console. Canted to the driver, the display features the expected telematics system with audio, navigation and phone connectivity possible. Its part of a “head up” cockpit design Mazda crafted in a bid to ensure that the information is easily accessible while mitigating distraction.

As for the rest of the center stack, it is composed chiefly of oversized switches for the climate control system and also features the expected connectivity points — USB and auxiliary audio. At the base of the stack is the transmission shifter and a switch to activate sport mode. If you’re looking for audio controls, they’re placed between the seats just ahead of the two cup holders. Those cup holders sit beneath a folding armrest.

Small as it is, the Mazda CX-3 offers average storage, including in-door storage pockets with bottle holders. The cargo area is small, measuring 12.4 cubic feet, expandable to 44.5 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. This model has supportive bucket seats up front and a 60-40 split folding, fold-flat rear seat.

2016 Mazda CX-3

Three Trim Levels

Mazda offers the five-seat CX-3 in standard front-wheel drive and available all-wheel drive configurations. Three trim levels are available — Sport, Touring and Grand Touring. The base price comes in at $19,960 for the Sport front-wheel drive model. Fully equipped, a Grand Touring AWD model should come in below $28,000.

As tested, Mazda delivered a Touring AWD model, priced from $23,210 and $26,150 delivered. Mazda Mobile Start ($550) and a Premium Package ($1,410) pushed up the final price. That package includes such amenities as a power sliding moonroof with an interior sunshade and a 7-speaker Bose audio system.

Standard equipment for the CX-3 includes halogen headlights, alloy wheels, power accessories, air conditioning, Bluetooth connectivity, and a rear view camera. The Touring edition brings in keyless entry, heated side mirrors, heated front seats, a front armrest, imitation leather seats (cloth is standard), and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. You also get a blind spot monitoring system with rear cross traffic alert.

The top-end Grand Touring edition brings in larger wheels, steering wheel paddle shifters, automatic climate control, navigation, a Bose audio system, LED headlights along with LED daytime running lights, LED rear combination lights, and LED tail lights. You also get a tonneau cover and leather-trimmed seats with this model.

The smallest of all SUVs may be a bit too small for your family. Yes, you can fit five, but the rear seat is more comfortable for two. Even then, you may desire a bit more legroom — that’s where the larger Mazda CX-5 or CX-9 come in.

What the CX-3 does deliver is a worthy entry-point for people who want the best combination of affordability and utility. A first time car buyer may desire this model for that reason, folding down the rear seat to gain much-needed cargo space. Unlike the similar-sized Mazda3, this model offers all-wheel drive, an attractive feature that enhances handling.

2016 Mazda CX-3

One Powertrain Combination

All CX-3 models are powered by a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine. This high compression ratio engine makes an even 146 horsepower and 146 foot-pounds of torque, adequate power for most drivers. All models come with a 6-speed automatic transmission.

The CX-3’s engine is peppy, although not super powerful. Mazda geared this model toward attaining higher fuel economy, borne out with its 35 mpg rating for the front-wheel drive model. That’s quite an attainment. Although fuel prices are currently the lowest we’ve seen this century, its an advantage that will be most welcome when fuel prices rise once again.

2016 Mazda CX-3
2016 Mazda CX-3

On the Road

Small cars tend to wear me out eventually as my near 6-foot frame tires of the limited room. Happily, the driver’s seat is sufficiently supportive and bolstered, so no issue there. I could imagine this model serving as someone’s commuter car, providing them with the higher driving profile and superior fuel economy during the week, and serving as their utility vehicle for the weekend. And it does all this without breaking the bank.

So, besides its sinuous styling, how does the CX-3 drive? Well, its handling is composed, especially noticeable when tackling twisty roads. Flick the sport mode switch and you’ll also notice a change in shift points with the transmission moving up and down each gear in rhythm. A certain amount of feistiness jumps out — shades of the Mazda3.

2016 Mazda CX-3

A Subcompact SUV Among Many

So far, I’ve driven the Nissan JUKE, Fiat 500X, and the Honda HR-V in this segment, along with the Mazda. The JUKE is a hoot, especially the front-wheel drive model paired with a 6-speed manual transmission. A June 2013 drive up and down the serpentine hills of Appalachia demonstrated to me what that model was all about.

I found the 500X the best Fiat model to date and the HR-V offering the coolest seating system in a vehicle for its size. All four models have much to offer, although the JUKE is the oldest of them all and needs to be updated — we’re expecting a new one in 2017.

In all, the new Mazda shines in its segment and does so by upholding the brand’s fun-to-drive characteristics. Negotiate carefully and you should come away with a well-equipped all-wheel drive model for about $25,000, a very fair price point in this emerging segment.


2016 Mazda CX-3 AWD

  • Sticker price from $23,210
  • Price as tested: from $26,150
  • Seats 5 occupants
  • 2.0-liter 16-valve four-cylinder gasoline engine
  • 146 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
  • 146 foot-pounds of torque @ 2,800 rpm
  • 3.29 inches bore by 3.59 inches stroke
  • Engine compression ratio: 13.0-to-1
  • 6-speed automatic transmission
  • Wheelbase: 101.2 inches
  • Length: 168.3 inches
  • Width: 69.6 inches
  • Height: 60.7 inches
  • Passenger volume: 86.3/87.6 cubic feet
  • Storage volume: 12.4/44.5 cubic feet
  • Towing capacity: NR
  • EPA: 27 mpg city, 32 mpg highway
  • Regular grade gasoline
  • Fuel tank: 11.9 gallons
  • Curb weight: From 2,952 pounds
  • IIHS safety rating: Not Yet Rated
  • Limited vehicle warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles
  • Powertrain warranty: 5 years/60,000 miles
  • Corrosion warranty: 5 years/unlimited miles
  • Vehicle assembly: Hiroshima, Japan

2016 Mazda CX-3 photos copyright Auto Trends Magazine.


2016 Mazda CX-3

Filed Under: New Car Reviews Tagged With: 2016 cars, all-wheel drive, crossover, front-wheel drive, MAZDA CX-3, SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY, SUV

Mazda Has the Zoom-Zoom in its Product Line

August 10, 2015 by admin Leave a Comment

We need to give the Mazda North American Operations team a lot of credit. Not too long ago Mazda’s position in the United States was tenuous at best, with some analysts, including this one openly wondering if the company would exit, stage right, ala Suzuki, Isuzu and Daihatsu.

Instead of retreating, Mazda is following in the footsteps or the smoothly paved road of another smaller Japanese competitor: Subaru. Unlike Toyota, Honda and Nissan, both of the lesser manufacturers have had to become innovative and creative in order to survive a tough market. Subaru has won people over with its mostly all-wheel drive product line and high quality, while Mazda operates in a variety of segments, always desiring to advance its zoom-zoom mantra wherever it goes.

Mazda CX-3

This CX-3 is one of two new models released by Mazda this year.


Because Mazda is so small — the company sells half as many vehicles as Ford builds F-Series pickup trucks in a year — the automaker has to work vigorously. Thus, getting one new model to the market in a given year takes much effort. And introducing two new models within a few months is simply astonishing.

But that is what Mazda has done with its Miata MX-5 sports car and its all-new CX-3 crossover. No, this writer has yet to drive either model, but the press coverage from my colleagues has been nothing short of overwhelmingly positive.

Toyota to the Rescue

For Mazda to survive in what is arguably the toughest automotive market in the world, it needs to show much ingenuity as well as pluck and determination. It also must maintain pressure on its existing product line, to ensure that its deep-pocketed competitors never get the upper hand.

However, one deep-pocketed competitor has chosen to look at Mazda more as an ally instead of as a threat.

Specifically, Toyota is working with Mazda to plug some of the inconsistencies in its own lineup. An example of this can be found in the Scion iA, a subcompact model based on the Mazda2. Mazda no longer directly sells its smallest model in the US, but in the body of the diminutive Scion it still does. That stipulation yielded an undisclosed amount of money for Mazda, funds it sorely needs and can use elsewhere in the Mazda cosmos. Mazda will also lend Toyota its expertise with all things SKYACTIV, specifically its fuel efficient engines and transmissions. About Toyota can you say, “cash cow?”

Product Line Changes

For its remaining product line, Mazda is not sitting still. Indeed, its best selling Mazda3 line will experience several updates for 2016, including the addition of rear view cameras and new sport and touring equipment packages. Those Sport and Touring packages will also find a way to the Mazda6, its beautiful midsize sedan. Look for new color screen options, LED lighting updates and a sport mode button, among other changes of note.

Where the Mazda CX-3 now competes with the smallest crossovers, including the Fiat 500X, the Jeep Renegade, Honda’s CR-V and the Nissan Juke among others, its compact CX-5 gains a larger and more powerful 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. Moreover, this model receives a new cloth seat design, a standard rear view camera, and offers three new packages. For example, the GT technology package brings in LED lighting , radar cruise control, smart brake support with collision warning, lane departure warning and high beam control. You should know that not every package is available across the product line.

Mazda Koeru Concept

Just as Mazda has added two models it is also discontinuing one model, the Mazda5. That multi-purpose vehicle is essentially a minivan and operates in a segment that continues to shrink. At the same time, Mazda is looking at a replacement for its largest SUV, the CX-9. Indeed, the Koeru concept will bow at the Frankfurt Motor Show, pointing to a possible replacement model yet more proof that Mazda intends to remain competitive.

Photo courtesy of Mazda North American Operations. 

Filed Under: Automotive News Tagged With: KOERU CONCEPT, MAZDA, MAZDA CX-3, MAZDA2, SCION IA, Subaru, Toyota, ZOOM-ZOOM

Tiny Crossover Segment Poised to Explode

June 16, 2015 by admin 2 Comments

It wasn’t all that long ago when Nissan introduced its Juke crossover, what had some analysts scratching their heads in wonder. Sure, the styling itself was polarizing, but the segment the diminutive Nissan occupied was virtually nonexistent. Until now.

Nissan Juke Crossover SUV

Nissan got the subcompact SUV segment growing,
but now it needs an updating to compete against multiple newcomers.

One year after the Juke’s 2011 arrival, Chevrolet introduced the fleet-only Captiva. You could rent it, but you could not buy it. At least not new.

The following year, an upscale Buick Encore rolled out and was quickly embraced by consumers. As interest in the smallest of all crossovers grew, other manufacturers were paying close attention and began planning their own responses.

The subcompact SUV segment is now poised to explode as more manufacturers have jumped in and others are expected to follow. Indeed, just this spring we saw the introduction of the Jeep Renegade, Fiat 500X and the Honda HR-V. These three models will soon be joined by the Mazda CX-3 and the Chevrolet Trax, but the market expansion won’t end there.

New Crossover Models on the Way

Screen Shot 2015-06-15 at 1.02.00 PMIn particular, two additional manufacturers have models that may yet be rolled out. Yesterday, Auto Trends mentioned one such model as a possible entrant — the Ford EcoSport — a vehicle currently built in India and under consideration for US export by fall 2016. Yet another model, the Hyundai Creta, is also under consideration with the Korean manufacturer providing a sketch recently to show what it might look like.

Absent in all this is Toyota, but not for long. Quite frankly, the world’s largest automaker simply won’t sit on the sidelines for much longer. Except for sport coupes such as the Dodge Challenger, Toyota competes in every segment.

And with Nissan readying an all-new Juke set to arrive sometime in 2016, Toyota’s absence should come to an end sooner rather than later. As of this publication, Toyota is mum about its plans. With this in mind, keep an eye on the auto show circuit come fall — will it be a Toyota-derived product or will the automaker tap its Mazda partner to supply a new model?

Value in the Tiny Crossover Segment

Chevrolet TraxThere is a good reason why the subcompact crossover SUV market is booming. These vehicles are built on car platforms that normally retail for $15,000 on up. At prices that begin just below $20,000 and push up to $25,000, manufacturers are able to squeeze more profits from them. And as consumers continue to switch from cars to SUVs, the more expensive crossovers simply are replacing lower profit volume models lost elsewhere.

Likely, the segment is no flash in the pan either. May 2015 sales of the aged Nissan Juke came in at 2,625 units, down 31 percent for the month. However, sales of the new models got off to a strong start. For instance, 6,381 units of the Honda HR-V were delivered in its first month of availability. Furthermore, Jeep sold 4,416 Renegades and Chevrolet sold 5,707 of its Trax models according to Good Car Bad Car.

Honda seems poised to control the segment as it currently does with its compact CR-V. The new HR-V is priced from $19,115 and puts a big emphasis on versatility and technology. All models come with LED brake lights, heated side mirrors, roof rails and keyless entry.

A long list of comfort and convenience features are included, such as: power accessories, cruise control, a tilt and telescopic steering column, map lights, an LED pocket light, two 12-volt, and a cargo area light. All HR-V models come with Bluetooth and a USB audio interface. Both the EX and EX-L editions add a 180-watt, 6-speaker audio system with Pandora. the EX-L NAVI edition brings in navigation, SiriusXM satellite radio and HD radio.

Equipped, Not Stripped

honda-hr-vCompeting models are also generous with amenities, ensuring that all such vehicles come equipped, not stripped. Moreover, interior room is large enough to hold five and storage capacity is upwards of 60 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. These models are likely to be perceived as relative bargains and in a market where the average cost of a new car is approaching $33,000, the segment has its share of bargains.

One important factor that isn’t getting much attention in these days of lower fuel prices is gas mileage. For instance, the Mazda CX-3 with two-wheel drive is EPA-rated at 29 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway. That number compares favorably with the small cars that consumers have long favored and could very well ensure this segment’s success once gas prices return to the previous highs experienced just a few years ago.


See Also — Compact Performance: 2017 Nissan Sentra NISMO

Chevrolet Trax, Honda HR-V and Hyundai Creta crossover photos and sketch copyright the respective manufacturer.

Filed Under: Commentary Tagged With: BUICK ENCORE, CHEVROLET TRAX, crossover, FIAT 500X, FORD ECOSPORT, HONDA HR-V, JEEP RENEGADE, MAZDA CX-3, NISSAN JUKE, SUV, Toyota

No Mazda2 Planned for the US Market

May 26, 2015 by admin Leave a Comment

Lack of consumer demand for the smallest of all cars is due in large part to low gas prices. As a result, no Mazda2 model is planned for the US market. Meanwhile, an all-new CX-3 crossover arrives this fall.

The smallest of all cars sold in the US occupy the A- and B-Segments, respectively. Also known as mini cars and subcompacts, these two segments have long suffered from tepid demand, due in large part to consumer interest in anything larger, beginning with compact models of all kinds — sedans, hatchbacks and crossovers.

Over the past year, low gas prices have also contributed to a shift away from A-Segment and B-Segment models. Moreover, for those consumers still placing a priority on fuel efficiency, models such as Chevrolet Cruze Eco are getting 42 mpg on the highway, offering more interior room and a wider selection of amenities in the process. Quite frankly, there is little reason for consumers to shop at the bottom end of the market.

Mazda2: Four-Year Model Run

Mazda, long a leader in small car innovation and fuel economy, no longer offers a car smaller than the Mazda3 in the US. Its previous Mazda2 model, introduced in 2011, had a four-year run before it was canceled following the 2014 model year. Mazda2 US sales came in at just 13,615 units in 2014, up 15.8 percent over the previous year, but well below the near 105,000 units for the compact Mazda3 line.

Last July, Mazda took the wraps off of the fourth-generation Mazda2, a model based on the Hazumi concept shown at the Geneva Motor Show the previous March. Notably, the Mazda2 is the best-selling car in Japan and has found its way into 2.4 million homes since its 1996 introduction.

Mazda CX-3

2016 Mazda CX-3

Plans to bring the new model — built in Salamanca, Mexico — to the United States have been canceled, according to a story published in Automotive News over the weekend. The publication spoke with Robert Davis, senior vice president of Mazda’s US operations about its plans. Davis explained that the combination of low gas prices and weak demand will keep the Mazda2 out of the US market, although it will be sold in Puerto Rico. That means the PR-bound model complies with the same environmental and safety standards required in the states. Theoretically, Mazda could change its mind and import its smallest model to the continental US in short order.

Strong Global Demand

Another matter is also playing out — global demand for the Mazda2. Whereas the Mazda2 is receiving scant interest in the US, consumers elsewhere are drawn to it. Indeed, instead of diverting much-needed inventory to the US, Mazda can fulfill strong demand for its smallest product elsewhere.

American consumers fixated on the latest generation Mazda2 don’t have to go to Puerto Rico to buy one. A four-door hatchback, badged as a Scion iA, will hit the market this September. It represents just one part of an expanding agreement between Toyota and Mazda whereby the two Japanese automakers are collaborating on a number of projects, including engines and transmissions.

Mazda CX-3 Crossover

Despite the paucity of interest in its smallest model, Mazda is going with another type of vehicle — a subcompact crossover utility vehicle — to expand its US product lineup. That model is the five-passenger Mazda CX-3, based on the Mazda2 platform and advancing the same KODO-Soul of Motion design language of four other Mazda models, including the CX-5 compact CUV.

Available this fall, the CX-3 arrives just as the segment is gaining strength, a model that will compete with the Nissan Juke, Kia Soul, Jeep Renegade, Fiat 500X, Chevrolet Trax and Honda HR-V for customers. Notwithstanding its small size, the Mazda CX-3 offers the high profile and roomy cabin evidential in this emerging segment and a more profitable price point for that. Thus, instead of placing a slow-selling model such as the Mazda2 in dealer showrooms, Mazda has chosen a more profitable vehicle line that dealers should have little trouble selling.


See Also — Sport Ute: 2016 Mazda CX-3
Photos courtesy of Mazda Motors.

Filed Under: Automotive News Tagged With: crossover, CUV, KODO, MAZDA CX-3, MAZDA2, SCION IA

Fiat 500X Marks the Spot

November 21, 2014 by admin 4 Comments

Third Fiat model arrives stateside next year.

Fiat 500X

The Fiat brand is slowly taking hold in the US with two 500 variants currently serving the market. First, we had the tiny 500 and its multiple model lines, then the larger 500L followed. A third line, the Fiat 500X, was introduced this week at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show. It represents an all-new crossover for the 2016 model year.

2016 Fiat 500X

The Fiat 500X was introduced just one day after Mazda took the wraps off of its own compact utility vehicle, the CX-3. Fiat and Mazda will compete with the Nissan Juke, a model that has been credited with getting the segment going when it emerged on the scene in 2011.

“The Fiat 500X will significantly expand the reach of the FIAT brand in North America,” said Jason Stoicevich, Head of FIAT Brand North America, Chrysler Group LLC. “The all-new 500X delivers the Italian design and personality that we are known for, along with an unprecedented level of equipment and technology. In addition, it will be the first vehicle in our portfolio to offer an advanced all-wheel-drive system that will provide customers with peace of mind in all driving conditions.”

The standard engine for the Fiat 500X is a 1.4-liter turbocharged four cylinder rated 160 horsepower and 184 foot-pounds of torque. It is the same engine found in other Fiat models.

Customers can also choose a 2.4-liter four cylinder naturally-aspirated engine making 180 horsepower and 175 foot-pounds of torque. The base engine is paired with a six-speed manual transmission; the larger engine gets a nine-speed automatic transmission. It is with the larger engine where customers can opt for all-wheel drive.

Fiat 500X

Roomy Interior

Fiat is making a big deal about passenger room with the 500X, saying that it comes “with comfortable setting for five.” That may or may not be a slap at the Juke, a crossover best suited for two or with two little ones in the back seat. Likely, the Mazda CX-5 will offer comparable seating room to the Fiat — let’s see how Nissan responds when the next generation Juke comes out in a year or two.

Fiat also says that the the 500X comes with up to 70 standard and available safety and security features. Stability control, hill-start assist, electronic roll mitigation and seven airbags are included with all models. Also available is forward collision warning, lane sense departure warning, blind spot warning and rear cross path detection.

This model makes available Fiat Chrysler’s UConnect infotainment system, including a 6.5-inch touchscreen color display, navigation, Bluetooth streaming audio, keyless entry, heated front seats and a heated steering wheel.

Fiat 500X

Trim Levels and Packages

Five trim levels will be offered, including the familiar Pop, Easy and Lounge editions. Trekking and Trekking Plus are new to the brand and come with unique front and rear fascias, along with satin silver accents.

Other features available will include: automatic headlamps, fog and cornering lights, a power sunroof, tinted glass, a rear wiper, dual-zone climate control, cloth or leather seats, ambient lighting, audio system packages, a power driver’s seat, tire upgrades and wheel choices.

Fiat will also offer at least 20 package upgrades, with most corresponding to the trim level selected. For example, the Trekking Plus Collection 1 package brings in a dual-pane sunroof and an eight-speaker Beats audio system.

Anticipated Release Date

Fiat Chrysler says that the 500X, built in Melfi, Italy, will go on sale in the first half of 2015. It will be marketed in more than 100 countries worldwide. Pricing and other details will be provided closer to its release date.

Photos courtesy of Fiat Chrysler.


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Filed Under: Auto Shows Tagged With: 2016 cars, all-wheel drive, CROSSOVER UTILITY VEHICLE, FIAT 500X, LOS ANGELES AUTO SHOW, MAZDA CX-3, NISSAN JUKE, UCONNECT

Juked: 2016 Mazda CX-3

November 19, 2014 by admin 3 Comments

Finally, the Nissan Juke has some competition.

2016 Mazda CX-3

Nissan Juke alternative: 2016 Mazda CX-3

The compact utility vehicle segment will soon be populated by a new model — the 2016 Mazda CX-3 — what is making its global debut today at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show. Where the ugly, but fun Juke polarized the masses, the CX-3 presents a more desirable persona, one that also advances Mazda’s attractive KODO-Soul of Motion design language.

The all-new Mazda CX-3 should serve as a signal to all that Mazda intends to stay in the US market and that its product line is one of the more stylish ones in the business.

2016 Mazda CX-3

2016 Mazda CX-3

That Mazda’s newest model is a utility vehicle should surprise no one. The crossover utility vehicle market continues to grow and the bottom end of the market is woefully under-represented. Nissan has largely had the market to itself since it introduced the Juke in 2011, now shoppers have a choice in what most likely will become a red-hot segment as manufacturers ready competing models.

Of the 2016 Mazda CX-3, Jim O’Sullivan, president and CEO of Mazda North American Operations said, “CX-3 complements the Mazda lineup, as it perfectly hits the target in a rapidly growing segment in the industry. Customers are shopping for vehicles that are fun to drive, great to look at, fit their busy lifestyles and are an outstanding value, both at purchase and when it comes time to trade it in, making every Mazda a smart choice.” Yes, take that Nissan: Mazda thinks your Juke is, well, too freaking ugly.

2016 Mazda CX-3

Gas Engine Only, No Manual Transmission

The 2016 Mazda CX-3 has been designed for global release. In the US, it will be powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Sorry, unlike the Nissan Juke, there is no manual transmission for the states.

Other markets will see a 1.5-liter diesel engine — imagine such a model available in the US. Well, keep on dreaming as Mazda has no plans to bring diesel clatter stateside, at least not for the CX-3.

The Mazda CX-3 will offer standard front-wheel drive and available all-wheel drive with active torque control for improved handling. Seating five, the CX-3 measures 101.2 inches between the wheels and is 168.3 inches long, 69.5 inches wide and 61 inches tall.

2016 Mazda CX-3

KODO Design Language

From the outside, the Mazda CX-3 advances the brand’s now-familiar face. The headlamp design has the turn signals located outside of the main headlamp unit for a narrow, sharp design. Those lights connect seamlessly with the grille and are integrated with the LED daytime running lights. The front fascia is sporty and displays an aggressive look.

This model has strong shoulders, a powerful stance and its body lines suggest a vehicle in motion, hence the KODO look. Dramatically arched wheels, strong profile characteristics, rocker panel trim and a sports car like roofline enhance its muscular persona. To the rear the Mazda CX-3 is outfitted with a spoiler, wraparound tail lamps and twin chrome exhaust pipes.

Inside, the design flair includes a driver-oriented cockpit, generous use of soft-touch materials and special accents across the door, on the seats and across the dashboard. Cloth seating is standard, parchment leather and suede are available.

Mazda’s SKYACTIV thinking extends to the body that offers a more rigid design for better handling, improved safety and weight reduction. In the CX-3, Mazda makes greater use of high-tensile steel and ultra-high tensile steel throughout the body.

2016 Mazda CX-3

Japan First, Then the World

You’ll have to wait a while for the Mazda CX-3 to show up at US Mazda dealers. Mazda says that it will go on sale first in Japan next spring, then roll out to other markets as the year advances. Pricing, trim levels and other details will be shared closer to its release date.

2016 Mazda CX-3

Photos courtesy of Mazda North American Operations.


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