Mazda CX-3 2023: prices up, manual and all-wheel drive cut from trimmed lineup

---

Mazda has had a cull in its CX-3 small SUV range, going from a total of 13 variants to just five for 2023. 

Other big news is that both all-wheel drive and the manual transmission option have both been axed on CX-3 going forward. You will only be able to order a CX-3 with an automatic transmission and in front-wheel-drive guise. 

The only available engine will be Mazda’s Skyactiv-G 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol unit that produces 110kW/195Nm and is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. 

The range has also been treated to a naming shake-up, with the former Maxx Sport now called the Pure, the old Maxx Sport LE now the Evolve, and the erstwhile sTouring now branded as the Touring SP.  

In terms of pricing, the base model, which is now the G20 Sport, starts at $26,800 before on-road costs, while the flagship Akari is priced from $38,620 before on-road costs. 

Prices have risen between $1290 to as much as $2790 depending on the variant. 

Mazda Australia says the updated CX-3 range will go on sale in Australia in September 2023. 

What else has changed for the CX-3 in 2023?

Mazda says that it has focused on offering more bang for your buck, renaming the base Neo Sport trim as simply ‘Sport’ and adding 16-inch alloy wheels, blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. 

Mazda has also added wireless Apple CarPlay across the range, however Android Auto remains wired. Auto-folding side mirrors and remote window control is also now standard for all CX-3s. 

What about the other model variants?

The G20 Pure (previously known as the Maxx Sport) includes:

• LED headlights and tail lights 
• Daytime running lights 
• High beam control 
• Lane departure warning 
• Drive attention alert 
• Head-up display 

The G20 Evolve (known previously as the Maxx Sport LE), includes:

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Front parking sensors 
• Premium white leatherette and tan suede upholstery 

The Touring SP (known previously as the sTouring) includes:

• 18-inch black alloy wheels 
• Black painted roof 
• Black leather and suede interior upholstery
• Black chrome signature wing 
• Gloss black front grille 
• Two-position memory driver seat 
• 10-way power adjustment for driver seat
• Heated seats 
• Mazda radar cruise control 
• Stop & go function

The flagship Akari now includes:

• Seven-speaker Bose sound system
• 18-inch black alloy wheels 
• Power sliding glass sunroof 
• 360-degree camera
• Adaptive LED headlights 

Mazda CX-3 2023: prices in Australia

All prices listed are before on-road costs.

• G20 Sport: $26,800 (+$1290)
• G20 Pure: $29,300 (+$1790)
• G20 Evolve: $31,050 (+$2790)
• G20 Touring SP: $34,300 (+$2090)
• G20 Akari: $38,620 (+$1310)