Mazda CX-3 facelift teased by dealers – RM120k est

Mazda dealers in Malaysia have started teasing the facelifted CX-3 ahead of its launch, hinting that the updated B-segment crossover will arrive on our shores sooner rather than later.

The Mazda PJ Taman Megah Facebook page revealed an estimated pricing of around RM120,000, which would make it slightly cheaper than the current car’s RM126,775 sticker price. It’s not known, however, if that price is with or without the upcoming sales and services tax (SST), which will come into effect in September.

A small spec sheet included in the teaser post indicated that the new model will come with Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), but the rest of the i-ActivSense suite of driver assists like Smart City Braking Support (SCBS) is nowhere to be found. It is said that the outgoing model’s tilt-and-slide sunroof will also be removed from the kit list.

Revealed in New York earlier this year, the facelifted CX-3 is set apart on the outside by double chrome slats in the grille, chrome exterior accents, new CX-5-inspired tail lights, redesigned 18-inch alloy wheels, gloss black window frame and fog light surrounds and a new Soul Red Crystal paint option from the CX-5.

Inside, you’ll find a mildly revised dashboard design with suede-like trim, an electronic parking brake (with auto brake hold), a padded armrest and wider, more supportive front seats. A new centre armrest with built-in cupholders has also been fitted, while thicker door panels, tailgate glass and headliner as well as upgraded door seals make for a quieter, more refined cabin.

Power comes from a revised 2.0 litre SkyActiv-G naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine, retuned to increase torque across the entire rev range, improve fuel efficiency and reduce internal friction. This enables the engine to respond much quicker to the driver’s intentions while at the same time improving refinement. In the US, outputs are rated at 148 hp and 201 Nm of torque.

The usual six-speed automatic will be retained, along with the G-Vectoring Control (GVC) system introduced last year – which tweaks engine timing to control the car’s dynamic behaviour. Under the skin, the suspension and steering have been retuned to optimize dampening characteristics and enhance responsiveness, while new tyres better absorb shocks from road surfaces and reduce braking distances.

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