Mazda CX-3 Ground Clearance: What to Know
2017 Mazda CX-3 by Vauxford — CC BY-SA 4.0
It’s become the general consensus that you need an SUV to enjoy proper off-roading. Mazda is here to show you that isn’t necessarily the case. As you’ll learn in our guide to Mazda CX-3 ground clearance, you can get both off-road performance and capability in a hatchback.
While it might not be the perfect off-road machine, the CX-3 certainly has a place among the rough terrain. Read on to find out where Mazda’s crossover excels and where it lags behind.
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Mazda CX-3 Ground Clearance
Most competitors have moved away from naturally-aspirated powertrains, instead favoring lower-displacement turbocharged variants. But Mazda has been hesitant to follow suit. Make no mistake; the CX-3 is a mighty fine vehicle. But the lack of a turbo option will have you pining for more power.
Fortunately, Mazda makes up for it with stellar handling and snug steering. While this is great for the pavement, it does little for off-road driving. Why? Because the Mazda CX-3 ground clearance measures just 6.1 inches.
As such, you’re limited on where you can take your little hatchback. You’re certainly not going to want to take it too far over the off-road terrain, especially that which is considerably rough or jagged.
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The ground clearance is simply too short to safely navigate such landscapes. Now, with that said, if you know your limitations going in and don’t try to put the CX-3 in unnecessary danger, there is plenty of enjoyment to be had.
Case in point: sand, snow, and mud. Obviously, you’re better off on flatter surfaces. But off-road environments consisting of tree stumps, large rocks, or even low brush are going to be off-limits to the CX-3.
On areas that are more in tune with the CX-3’s capabilities, you’ll be in for a treat. The drivability of the CX-3 is seriously good, allowing you to wrap around sharp corners with relative ease and precision.
What’s more, you’re getting a well-balanced suspension that keeps you level and comfy at all times. Everything just feels snug and responsive, further enhancing off-road settings. The 2.0-liter 4-cylinder boasts 146 horses, giving it a snappy response that serves the build of the CX-3 well.
Because there are only six automatic gears to shift into, there are times when acceleration feels limited. When there is an available gear, the CX-3 feels quick and responsive. As such, the end result depends on where you’re driving and how.
It’s a shame that you’re not given more ground clearance to work with. The Mazda CX-3 really is a lot of fun to drive over muddy surfaces. As long as that mud isn’t too deep, you’ll be in good shape.
The same is true for sand and snow. Thanks to the driver-assisted features built into the CX-3, it’s a breeze to maneuver through such environments. But if you allow yourself to traverse anything deeper than 6 inches, you risk running into trouble.
We’ll explore this in more detail in a moment. But first, it’s important that we discuss Mazda’s proprietary i-ACTIV AWD system. As you will soon learn, this feature plays a significant role in the CX-3’s off-road performance.
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i-ACTIV AWD
There are plenty of predictive AWD systems out there that measure your wheel speed and engine power. Mazda wanted to deliver something better, however, so they took the smart AWD system back to the drawing board.
Engineers came up with the i-ACTIV AWD system. The results and specs speak for themselves. The i-ACTIV AWD system is comprised of 27 sensors that monitor performance 200 times a second.
Not only are wheel speed and engine dynamics analyzed, but so are G-forces, external temperature, braking, driver inputs, wiper blade activity, and steering. With so many factors regularly monitored, the CX-3 is able to more accurately predict upcoming conditions.
In doing so, you get a better driving experience than what many other AWD systems can even hope to offer. This is because the CX-3’s engine torque is better allocated to the best wheel, giving you incredible control, enhanced stability, and improved forward momentum.
What this all translates to is an AWD system that continually works to improve driving. In other vehicles, you feel slipping first, and then it gets accommodated by the AWD system. In the CX-3, accommodations are ongoing, so you never feel the adjustments take place.
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As such, you get a smoother driving experience that feels completely natural and comfortable. In off-road settings, navigating acceptable terrain is a blast. And coupled with the snug driving provided by the CX-3, you’re going to be in for a treat.
Snow seems to be especially easy to traverse, thanks to the i-ACTIV AWD system. In fact, Mazda held a demonstration in Colorado a few years ago to showcase just how nimble their system performed on snowy surfaces.
The short of the demo proved that a vehicle could be controlled on snow and ice. Not only that, but it could excel at it. Drivers drifted around sharp corners with impressive precision, showing just how capable the i-ACTIV AWD system was in inclement weather.
During the demonstration, Mazda showcased a Miata, a CX-5, and a CX-3. Not only that, but they did so against notable competitors, Honda and Subaru. While Subaru’s Forester performed well on straight-line launches, there was no comparison when it came to controlled slaloms and sweepers.
Another noteworthy mention is the fact that Mazda’s i-ACTIV AWD system resulted in zero slippage. The on-demand AWD continually makes the necessary adjustments to ensure optimal driving performance.
The fact that it can do this in hazardous conditions is nothing short of impressive. Factor in the Mazda CX-3 ground clearance, regardless of how limited, and you’re looking at a worthy contender for off-road driving.
Up to the Challenge?
The bottom line is that you need to understand the limitation of the ground clearance. As long as you don’t attempt to overstep its boundaries, you should have a safe and enjoyable driving experience.
Controlled off-roading is where the CX-3 shines. With these caveats in mind, you can invest in confidence.
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