• Reverse camera and Electric Parking Brake (EPB) are now standard on Mazda CX-3
• New front grille and rear combination lamp designs enhance Mazda CX-3's elegant aesthetic
• Centre console gets a major redesign, including a padded armrest
• Range-topping Akari grade gets Mazda's new 360° View Monitor and Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC) with Stop & Go
• Upgraded SKYACTIV-Vehicle Dynamics enhance new CX-3's Jinba-ittai driving experience
• Mazda CX-3's SKYACTIV-D turbo-diesel engine gets more capacity and more power 

New Mazda CX-3 defies its dimensions, packing even more style, value and power into the small SUV's latest update.

Releasing in Australia at the end of August, New Mazda CX-3 has seen design, equipment and engine upgrades to enhance its timeless appeal and the elements that make it one of the most popular small SUVs in the segment.

On the exterior, a new front grille adopts bold horizontal lines to achieve a more assertive stance, while rear combination lamps on sTouring and Akari models have been refined to give a more premium and precise look.

On Maxx Sport and above, gloss black adorns the fog lamp bezels and side pillars, sharpening the detail of the areas around the window and highlighting the flowing, floating roofline.

Inside, New Mazda CX-3 has been given a substantial makeover with a revised centre console design accommodating the newly added Electric Parking Brake (EPB), now standard on all grades.

The change from a manual park brake to an electric one has meant the Command Controller has been relocated, moving forward for easier reach. A folding padded lid has also been fitted to the console box, doubling as a comfortable central armrest for driver and front seat passenger.

Taking comfort and convenience a step further, for Maxx Sport and above, the folding rear armrest features two cup holders that can carry containers of varied sizes.

Urethane foam with a high-damping quality has been adopted for the front seat cushions to give greater ride comfort, and seat upholstery has been changed to full leather on the high grade models.

High grade sTouring and Akari also get a new anti-glare interior rear-vision mirror that automatically cuts glare, dimming the reflections of strong, bright lights.

Boosting safety, a reverse camera is now applied to all grades, joining a comprehensive suite of standard i-ACTIVSENSE safety technologies to support the driver, including Smart City Brake Support Forward and Reverse (SCBS F/R) and Emergency Brake Assistance (EBA).

The range topping Akari also adds Mazda's new 360° View Monitor and Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC) with Stop & Go, the only vehicle in its category to offer both functions.

Further still, sTouring and Akari grades adopt newly designed, bigger, 18-inch wheels with a bright metallic finish that better absorb high frequency road noise and vibration. 

Dynamics have been further advanced with suspension Electric Power Steering (EPS) revisions.

New Mazda CX-3 is available with the SKYACTIV-G 2.0L petrol engine, which has seen a range of SKYACTIV technologies applied to improve economy and promote quicker engine response, lifting power from 110kW to 111kW at 6,000rpm, and torque from 192Nm to 195Nm at 2,800rpm.

The new SKYACTIV-D 1.8L turbo-diesel engine is also offered, replacing the smaller capacity 1.5L engine in the previous model.

Combined with a host of SKYACTIV technology upgrades, including redesigned stepped egg profile combustion chamber, ultra-high piezo injectors, a new coolant control system and Natural Sound Smoother, the new engine boosts power to 85kW from 77kW at 4,000rpm, while torque remains a high 270Nm delivered between 1,600 and 2,600rpm.

Managing Director of Mazda Australia, Vinesh Bhindi, said the changes to New Mazda CX-3 enhance its appeal as an aspirational SUV.

"With its original styling, great ride and handling and impressive practicality, Mazda CX-3 was a class leader from the minute it arrived in Australia and has remained so ever since," he said.

"This latest round of upgrades enhances the winning elements of the Mazda CX-3, elevating its elegance, performance and functionality, firmly cementing its place as the small SUV of choice."

New Mazda CX-3 is available in four model grades, with Neo and Maxx variants upgraded to Neo Sport and Maxx Sport to sit alongside sTouring and the top-spec Akari models.

New Mazda CX-3 is available in both front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive guises with either the 6-speed SKYACTIV-MT manual or 6-speed SKYACTIV-Drive automatic transmission.

New Mazda CX-3 is available in a choice of eight colours, matched with five model-dependent interior colour schemes.

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