2016 Mazda CX-3
As crossover utilities shrink ever smaller, they’re looking less like a blend of family car and a SUV, and more like pumped five-door hatchbacks with available all-wheel drive. Case in point, this Mazda CX-3. It’s a good looking subcompact ute. But, in its quest for popular style, is utility no longer its strongest point?
To their credit, Mazda calls the 2016 CX-3 their ultimate “urban escape vehicle”. A combination of small car attributes necessary for city-dwellers; like a Mazda3 hatchback; with enough crossover elements for weekend adventures and all-weather security.
Going up against the likes of Honda HR-V, Fiat 500X, Jeep Renegade, and Chevrolet Trax; four subcompact utes that weren’t even available here a year ago, gives you an idea of how rapidly this segment is expanding.
Built on a new SKYACTIV chassis to be shared with the next Mazda2, the CX-3 is tidy indeed. Every interior dimension is less than the Mazda3. And while outside it is certainly taller, ground clearance is the same at 6.1-inches.
Of course you can’t get all-wheel-drive in the Mazda3.
Now whether all-4 or just the front-2 wheels are in play, power comes from the MX-5’s SKYACTIV-G 2.0-liter I4. Here putting out 146-horsepower and 146 lb-ft. of torque, with a 6-speed automatic transmission your only option.
One thing is clear, and that is that the CX-3 is easily the most stylish of the new breed of cute utes. It looks long, low, lean, and much more muscular than bigger brother CX-5.
In the front, the face is familiar Mazda territory, but they seem to be pushing the boundaries of the grille ever farther. And the slanted rear roof, with tight hind quarters, doesn’t help much with convincing us that this is a crossover and not a hatchback.
At our test track, there was a snappy throttle and eagerness at launch, but the CX-3 runs out of steam fairly quickly; taking us 8.6-seconds to hit 60. To be fair, that’s on par with the Jeep Renegade we tested. And, the CX-3 gives you all it’s got down the strip sounding good while doing it.
Shifts are prompt and positive, and there was even a touch of torque steer as we worked our way to a 16.7-second ¼-mile at 83 miles-per-hour.
Throughout handling exercises, there was certainly a fun, sporty Mazda-style character. But, while still far from a sports car, there’s a nice balance and steering response is quick, putting most other tiny trucksters to shame.
We were expecting a little more from the brakes however, than a 133-foot stopping average from 60 and an overall soft feel.
Fittingly, the interior is driver-oriented, with an almost premium feel to materials and surfaces that again put it above most rivals. The control layout looks simple enough, yet still managed to befuddle some of our staffers.
Ergonomics are also not great for full-size adults; plus we found console space minimal and cup holders difficult to access easily. Moreover, it can be at times a very noisy environment.
Continuing our list of gripes, cargo space is minimal, just 10.1 cubic-ft. behind the rear seats if there’s a Bose subwoofer in place; that’s ½ the space of a Mazda3 hatchback. Folding the seats expands the space, getting the numbers closer to the Mazda3’s at 44.5 cubic-ft.
The load floor is also very high. It might not have been as noticeable had we not had an HR-V in at the same time which has a much lower load floor and double the amount of rear cargo space.
Government Fuel Economy Ratings for an all-wheel-drive CX-3 are 27-City, 32-Highway, and 29-Combined, which we almost reached at 28.8 miles-per-gallon of Regular. So the Energy Impact Score is much better than average, with oil consumption at 11.4-barrels yearly and CO2 emissions of 5.0-tons.
Pricing starts at $20,840; and since we’re doing so much comparing here, a Mazda3 starts about a grand lower, though top Grand Touring trims are priced very similar.
In the end, we know why Mazda commissioned the CX-3. Everything crossover is selling like mad while traditional car sales continue to sag. Still, when it comes to actual utility, a well done compact five-door hatchback, like a Mazda3, Ford Focus, or the new Honda Civic, beats the CX-3, and all other tiny utes, in everything except traction.
But, if you gotta hang with the crowd, then the 2016 Mazda CX-3 is one fun, city size utility, that’s rarin’ to go.
Specifications
- Engine: 2.0 liter
- Horsepower: 146
- Torque: 146 lb-ft.
- 0-60 mph: 8.6 seconds
- 1/4 mile: 16.7 seconds @ 83 mph
- EPA: 27 mpg city/ 32 mpg highway
- Energy Impact: 11.4 barrels of oil/yr
- CO2 Emissions: 5.0 tons/yr
2025 Honda Civic Si & Hybrid
More Fun, More Refinement, More Civic
If you’re looking at buying a Honda Civic Si instead of a standard Civic, chances are, you’re the kind of driver that actually enjoys being behind the wheel and wants a fun-to-drive car that injects some pure enjoyment into your daily grind. Well, good news! There’s an updated Civic Si that promises to deliver more fun and refinement than ever!
The 2025 Honda Civic Si spearheads a revised Civic lineup that also sees the return of a Hybrid to the roster, something that’s been missing since 2015. This 11th-gen Civic first arrived for 2021, and gets a slightly more aggressive look for ‘25 with an updated front fascia and grille.
And while it remains available as either a four-door sedan or five-door hatchback, the Si comes only as a sedan with a hex pattern grille, gloss black trim and aero enhancements, both up front and in the back, with a decklid spoiler. Other Si upgrades include larger brakes and 18-inch V-spoke wheels for the optional summer performance tires.
Honda claims the chassis has been stiffened and the suspension retuned for 2025; and it certainly makes for a fun driving little car, though it’s hard to call this current Civic little anymore, as dimensions and interior space are more midsize these days. Under the Si’s hood is Honda’s tiny but mighty 1.5-liter turbo-four engine, furiously spinning up its 200 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque. The Si comes exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission with a miniature shift knob and very light clutch enhancing its definitely playful vibe.
At our test track, once we got some heat in the front tires and figured out the best traction control settings, we were able to rip off consistent 6.9-second runs to 60. Not crazy quick, but the free-revving engine and manual trans made for a totally engaging experience. Our best quarter-mile, 15.1 seconds at 94 mph. But it was in our handling course where the fun really jumped up, slicing through the cones like we were in a video game. Yet it also felt well planted the entire time, grip was plentiful, and body roll minimal. Consistency, too, in braking runs, repeatedly stopping in a mere 92 feet from 60 mph.
Our handling course [is] where the fun really jumped up, slicing through the cones like we were in a video game.
No matter which Civic you choose, you’ll get plenty of standard content, including auto climate controls and illuminated steering wheel controls, plus more color choices for ’25. The funky lattice-style dash trim carries over, the Si getting racy red accents and manually-adjusted cloth seats that definitely are sporty. While over in the Hybrid, things take a classier turn with Sport Touring getting leather-trimmed seats, the 9-inch version of their touchscreen infotainment setup with Google built in, a 10.2 digital instrument cluster, 12-speaker Bose audio, and wireless phone charging.
Following Honda’s current marketing strategy, the returning Hybrid will be available in upper trims only, specifically Sport and Sport Touring. It uses a combination of naturally aspirated 2.0-liter I4 engine and Honda’s Two Motor Hybrid system for a 200-horsepower total. Yes, that’s exactly the same as the Si, and the Hybrid setup out-torques bigtime with 232 lb-ft, 40 more than the Si.
The hatchback’s Government Fuel Economy Ratings are 50 city, 45 highway, and 48 combined. We only managed to wrangle 43.5 mpg of regular in our wintertime driving loop.
The Sedan’s numbers are a little better than the hatchback’s; and while that additional fuel economy is great, with all of that torque, the new Civic throws it back to the original Accord Hybrid, having a bit of a performance bent to it, including a Sport Drive mode that heightens throttle response and tightens up steering. It also gets a unique gauge display and active sound inside the cabin. There are also four levels of regen braking with shifter-style adjustment paddles on the back of the steering wheel. And unlike the Si, you can get the Hybrid as a five-door hatchback, which most of our staff really enjoy looking at and everyone can appreciate its 24.5 cu.-ft. of cargo space and folding seatback flexibility.
Civic pricing starts at $25,400 for a base LX sedan. Hybrids start with Sport Hybrid at $30,100. The hatchback is a bit more at $31,300. Si comes in at $31,400, just below the range-topping Sport Touring Hybrid at $33,100.
While at times the Civic has been more of a blank canvas that buyers could customize to make it their own, this 11th-gen already offers something for just about everyone, whether you’re a high-revving gear shifting driving enthusiast, a luxury-minded fuel sipper or something in between. The 2025 Honda Civic is the total package. One high quality, not-so-small car that delivers more fun and more refinement than ever.
Specifications
Civic Si
- Engine: 1.5-liter turbo-four
- Transmission: 6-speed automatic
- Horsepower: 200
- Torque: 192 lb-ft
- 0-60 mph: 6.9 second
- 1/4 Mile: 15.1 seconds at 94 mph
- Braking, 60-0 (avg): 92 feet
Civic Hatchback Hybrid
- Engine: NA 2.0-liter I4
- Transmission: eCVT
- EPA: 50 City | 45 Highway | 48 Combined
- Horsepower: 200
- Torque: 232 lb-ft
- MW Fuel Economy: 43.5 mpg