Was invited for a 'private' viewing for one of these this weekend and since the wife initially liked the look of the CX-3 from the photos we spent a lazy afternoon doing just that. Some lasting impressions:
1. It looks really odd in person. Both the wife and I had the same feeling. The overall shape with the large tires just seemed off to us. It is also very small in comparison to the say the CX-5 or Mazda 5.
2. We test drove a fully loaded GT model. First looks in the interior show an upscale vehicle. A lot of nice touches with the leather. It is a lot roomier on the inside than you would first think. (I am 6'1") The rear is a little tight but comparable or better than my Mazda 3. Ditto to the storage space. Access for a child's car seat seems better than my Mazda 3.
3. Like the majority of Mazdas, it really is a hoot to drive. And like many smaller cars, the small size seemed to encourage spirited driving. The power seemed adequate and the engine/automatic felt well meshed. I didn't recall any hunting for gears or waiting etc. The sales lady even suggested a short section of gravel road to try!
Even if we could get past the looks, (we couldn't) for our needs and wants, ie a family, this car is simply not practical. However, we were definitely impressed with the luxurious interior and fun to drive factor. As I recall the fully loaded model was 30k so not cheap either. Though it is a very well put together little car, I am curious who the intended market is.
