Mazda CX-5 gets facelift to welcome in the new and smaller CX-3

Mazda is giving its popular CX-5 SUV a mild facelift to pretty much coincide with the upcoming official appearance of the smaller CX-3. The changes only target a few elements, like the headlights, tail-lights and grille as seen in these spy photos from European agency Automedia. All seem to fall in line with the latest evolution of the Kodo design language seen on the new Mazda2 hatchback. The CX-3 is based on the platform of the Mazda2 and will launch with the lookalike language. Mazda executives have said that the CX-3 is “not that far away”, so it is likely to be unveiled at the Los Angeles motor show in November.

It will enter a segment of the market that is almost growing daily with new

additions. The Nissan Juke, Mitsubishi ASX, Ford EcoSport, Holden Trax are established players … now the Audi Q1 is in the pipeline, Toyota is readying a small SUV/crossover based on the Corolla, and Fiat has been testing its 500X, another segment contender pictured by Automedia here in disguise and as a grainy photo leaked before its unveiling in a few weeks at the Paris motor show (See below, including rare interior image). The CX-3 is expected to be around 300mm shorter than the CX-5 and packed with the carmaker’s eco-friendly SkyActiv technology – thriftier engines, lighter gearboxes, and lighter architecture.

Observers say the CX-3 will borrow from the Mazda2’s range of SkyActiv engines – in this case three 1.3-litre petrol units in different states of tune, and a 1.6-litre diesel offering 90kW or 110kW. A 1.5-litre petrol is also expected, along with front- and all-wheel drive models. There aren’t that many things that Mazda can do to the engine range of the CX-5. Almost all models are made at the Hiroshima factory for the global market, so the 2.0-litre, 2.5-litre and 2.2-litre diesel should carry over with only minor tweaks. However, small improvements to the transmission and suspension will be made for the sake of comfort and refinement. The CX-5 is Mazda’s second best-selling model worldwide, after the Mazda6 sedan and wagon.