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2016 Mazda CX-3 First Drive

If there's any doubt in your mind about the importance of B-segment crossovers, consider this: our review of the 2016 Mazda CX-3 arrives on your screen less than 24 hours after our first test of the 2016 Honda HR-V. Both of these vehicles are hugely important entries for their respective automakers. And while they take a similar shape and will compete head to head, the truth is, they're very different products. The HR-V is a knockout because of its excellent packaging and added versatility over Honda's own Fit and Civic. It's a wholly competent product, and we imagine it'll be one of, if not the best-selling vehicle in the class. In terms of being desirable for customers, it checks all the necessary boxes: frugal, functional, efficient, and affordable. Mazda takes a similar approach, but focuses instead on its key strength of offering cars that are great to drive, and look damn good. What's more, the CX-3 won't have to share showroom space as the HR-V does with the Fit – the all-new Mazda2 isn't slated for the US right now. Instead, the new CUV will serve as an entry point into the brand. Because of this, Mazda is betting big on the CX-3. That all starts with a product that's appealing to the eye. Design director Derek Jenkins says Mazda "didn't want to do the funky route" with its compact CUV – a nudge to the Nissan Juke and Fiat 500X, right there. Instead, the CX-3 uses the Kodo design language that Mazda has perfected since its production debut on the CX-5 in 2012. Across the board, the company's products look incredible, and the CX-3 is right at home amongst Mazda's latest beauties. Notice the long hood with a flowing character line that runs over the front fender and down the body side, chiseled off at the end with tight rear proportions and a small overhang. Huge arches draw focus to the premium 18-inch wheels found on our Grand Touring CX-3, but swallow up the 16-inch rollers used on lesser models. The glass area is kept to a minimum, but visibility from inside is still quite good. Details like the LED accents in the head- and taillamps look premium and aggressive. From all angles, this is an attractive crossover. It's a bold, dynamic entry in a class filled with cutesy, oddball, and bland designs. Underneath the CX-3 is the Skyactiv chassis found in the new Mazda2. At 168.3 inches long, 69.6 inches wide, and 60.7 inches tall, the CX-3 is smaller than the Mazda3 in every dimension except height.

2021 Mazda Miata rocks new white leather interior

Mazda has announced changes for the 2021 MX-5 Miata, and while the model year is mostly a quiet one for the enthusiast-favorite sports car, there is one striking new addition: a White Nappa leather option. Sure to be the bane of Miata restorers years hence, the White Nappa leather is exclusive to the Grand Touring trim level, where it carries a $300 upcharge. Sadly, where Mazda giveth, it also taketh away, as last year's Red Nappa leather option has been dropped, and Tan Leather also falls by the wayside. That leaves black as your only other leather color choice. You may want to pair your white leather interior with the Miata's new Deep Crystal Blue exterior hue, as shown above. Deep Crystal Blue replaces 2020's Eternal Blue. The white interior also can be paired with any other exterior color with the exception of Snowflake White Pearl — that would be a little too '76 Eldo. Once again, soft top colors are black or gray, the latter for an extra $200. (The red soft top that was exclusive to the 100th Anniversary model has departed with that limited edition.) Equipment-wise, the only changes for 2021 have to do with smartphone mirroring. The base Miata Sport roadster adds Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (they were already standard on the upper trims). The Grand Touring, meanwhile, upgrades to wireless CarPlay. Prices for the base Miata Sport rise by $250, to $27,775 (including the $945 destination charge) for the roadster with a six-speed manual, with the automatic adding $1,350. The tariff for the Miata Club roadster and the RF is unchanged, with the soft top at $31,235 and the hardtop stickering for $33,990. Pricing for the Club's Brembo/BBS/Recaro option package is also unchanged at $4,470 (soft top) or $4,670 (RF). The news is even better with the top-spec Miata Grand Touring, which actually sees its base price drop — albeit only by $100, but still. The Grand Touring roadster is now $32,715, with the Retractable Fastback at $35,570. The 2021 Mazda Miata should arrive in showrooms this month. Related video:

2020 Mazda CX-30 shows off new appearance package at Tokyo Auto Salon

Following its introduction at the Geneva Motor Show last year, the 2020 Mazda CX-30 has appeared at the Tokyo Auto Salon wearing some new duds. The automaker developed a body kit for the compact crossover that's going on sale in Japan. The complete kit includes a front splitter, side skirts, rear diffuser panel, rear spoiler, wheels and mirror caps. The body kit is stylish and subtle. The silver accents help it stand out against the plastic body cladding of the stock CX-30. It also has some faux aluminum "skid plate" sections on the front and rear so that people still recognize it as a crossover, even though it looks lower and sportier. Although the kit has only been announced in Japan for now, we expect it will eventually be available in the U.S. just as the Mazda3 appearance package did. The complete kit is priced at $3,147 at current exchange rates, and it's discounted over the price if you were to buy each part individually. That price could change for the American market if or when it's offered here. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.