In 2023, the compact Mazda CX-3 SUV gets a robust revamp, with the lineup seeing an overall reduction in models from 13 to 5, but each brimming with additional standard features. The significant upgrade heralds the ninth year for Mazda's smallest SUV in the market, although no brand-new model seems to be imminent.

Pricing for the CX-3 range has risen, reflecting the extra features and a shift towards automatic transmission as standard on the base model. With on-road costs factored in, the estimated starting price is approaching $30,000. This upgraded CX-3 is expected to arrive in Australian showrooms in September 2023 as a 2023 model year vehicle.

All variants of the 2023 Mazda CX-3 are equipped with a 2.0-litre 'G20' four-cylinder petrol engine, generating 110kW and 195Nm. Paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, they all feature front-wheel drive. This indicates the elimination of the manual transmission and all-wheel-drive options from the lineup.

Models have been rebranded and upgraded with the Akari LE model being discontinued. The Neo Sport is now the Sport, Maxx Sport is the Pure, Maxx Sport LE has evolved into the Evolve, sTouring has become the Touring SP, while the Akari retains its original name.

The Sport, previously known as Neo Sport, receives enhancements like 16-inch alloy wheels, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, wireless Apple CarPlay, and auto-folding side mirrors. The newly named Pure, formerly Maxx Sport, boasts additional features like LED headlights and tail-lights, lane departure warning, driver attention alert, and a head-up display.

The revamped Evolve boasts 18-inch machined alloy wheels and front parking sensors, retaining the Maxx Sport LE's white synthetic leather-look and tan synthetic suede-look seat upholstery. Meanwhile, the Touring SP, a 2023 blacked-out model, features 18-inch black wheels, a black roof, grille, and black leather and synthetic suede-look seat trim with blue stitching. It also enjoys a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated front seats, and adaptive cruise control.

The top-of-the-range Akari sees the addition of a seven-speaker Bose premium sound system, new for the CX-3 range in 2023, and sticks with the Touring SP's black alloys.

The CX-3, having launched back in 2015, remains a popular choice in Mazda's lineup, witnessing a sales surge of 53 percent within the same period last year. There's no word on a new-generation model in the foreseeable future, but Mazda has ensured the 2023 CX-3 has plenty to offer. The updated Mazda CX-3 line-up is already on sale with the full list of features and prices available below.

2023 Mazda CX-3 Pricing (estimated drive away prices)

2023 Mazda CX-3 G20 Sport: $30,681

2023 Mazda CX-3 G20 Pure: $33,286

2023 Mazda CX-3 G20 Evolve: $35,109

2023 Mazda CX-3 G20 Touring SP: $38,496

2023 Mazda CX-3 G20 Akari: $43,647

2023 Mazda CX-3 Sport standard features include:

16-inch alloy wheels (new, replacing steel wheels)

Halogen headlights

8.0-inch 'MZD Connect' infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay (now wireless/wired, previously wired only), Android Auto, Bluetooth, and AM/FM/DAB+ digital radio

Reversing camera

Rear parking sensors

Analogue instrument dials with digital trip computer

Manual air conditioning

Black cloth seat upholstery

Six-speaker sound system

Push-button start

Remote central locking

Auto-folding side mirrors (new, previously on sTouring)

Electric parking brake with auto hold function

Power windows and door locks

Six airbags

Forward-facing autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection

Rear autonomous emergency braking

Blind-spot monitoring (new, previously on Maxx Sport)

Rear cross-traffic alert (new, previously on Maxx Sport)

Cruise control

Hill hold assist

Front and rear seatbelt reminders

Anti-lock brakes, traction control and electronic stability control

2023 Mazda CX-3 Pure adds (over Sport):

Dusk-sensing LED headlights with auto high beams (new, previously on sTouring)

LED tail-lights (new, previously on sTouring)

Lane-departure warning (new, previously on sTouring)

Driver attention alert (new, previously on sTouring)

Head-up display (new, previously on sTouring)

Rain-sensing windscreen wipers with two speeds

Leather-trimmed steering wheel and gear shifter

Automatic climate-control air conditioning

In-built satellite navigation

Auto-dimming rear-view mirror

2023 Mazda CX-3 Evolve adds (over Pure):

18-inch machined alloy wheels (new, previously 16-inch)

Front parking sensors (new, previously on sTouring)

White synthetic leather-look 'Maztex' and tan synthetic suede-look 'Grand Luxe' seat upholstery

2023 Mazda CX-3 Touring SP adds (over Evolve):

18-inch black alloy wheels (new)

Black roof, grille trim and grille insert (new)

Black leather and faux suede upholstery with blue stitching (new)

10-way power-adjustable driver's seat with two-position memory (new, previously on Akari)

Heated front seats (new, previously on Akari)

Keyless (proximity-key) entry

Traffic sign recognition

Adaptive (radar) cruise control with stop and go (new, previously on Akari)

2023 Mazda CX-3 Akari adds (over Touring SP):

18-inch black machined wheels carried over from Touring SP (new for 2023)

Seven-speaker Bose premium sound system (new)

Chrome exterior trim

Black leather upholstery

Adaptive LED headlights

Power tilt/sliding glass sunroof

360-degree surround-view camera

Available colours:

Aero Grey (new for 2023)

Soul Red Crystal metallic

Machine Grey metallic

Polymetal Grey metallic

Platinum Quartz beige metallic

Jet Black mica

Snowflake White Pearl mica