The spunky CX-3, with room for up to four passengers and a total length of 168 inches, is Mazda’s smallest SUV in the manufacturer's current lineup. Hatchbacks don’t excite you? Mazda has plenty of great compact SUV options, from the CX-30 to the CX-9.

The biggest SUV isn’t always the best. In a world of expensive gas and high maintenance costs, crossovers fill the gap between midsize sedans and towering SUVs. Luckily for you, crossovers are the bread and butter of the 2021 Mazda SUV lineup. These elegantly efficient SUVs give you a top-of-the-line vehicle in a practically sized package.

Oh—and they’re a breeze to park in any garage or driveway.

Ready to learn about Mazda's smallest SUV, the CX-3? You’re in the right place.

Jerry

, the top-rated insurance super app, has a full guide to the CX-3—and some of its top competitors. We’ll cover overall size, performance, and the best ways to shrink your

car insurance

bill. We'll even help you find the lowest

Mazda car insurance costs

Let’s get moving!

What is the smallest SUV Mazda makes?

Plain and simple: The

CX-3

is Mazda’s smallest current SUV. The CX-3 is smaller than the CX-30, which is smaller than the CX-9, Mazda's largest SUV.

Practically, the CX-3 is a tall, nimble hatchback with a beefier body and more sizable cargo area than the Mazda 3. Standing at 61 inches tall, 70 inches wide, and 168 inches long, the CX-3 has 42.7 cubic feet of storage behind the front seat. That’s not much in the world in the world of SUV storage.

The CX-3 lacks space, but it more than makes up for that with speed. Thanks to a 2.0-Liter V4 engine, the base Mazda CX-3 can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in about 8.2 seconds.

This engine offers up to 148 horsepower and between 146 lb-ft and 310 lb-ft of torque, depending on the trim. The CX-3 doesn’t come with a tow hitch, but persistent driving can pull up to 2,000 lbs—enough for a small trailer, a pint-size camper, or an average jet ski.

In short, the CX-3 is a younger sibling to Mazda's more sizable SUV offerings. It’s quick, responsive, and tailored to narrow streets and parking spaces—not to mention easy on the eyes.

Looking for a compact SUV that doesn’t skimp out on performance and style? For $20,790, the Mazda CX-3 is a great option to keep your eyes on.

MORE:

Why you should consider an SUV over a sedan

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Other small Mazda SUVs

The CX-3 might be the smallest Mazda SUV out there, but it has some competition. From the CX-5 to the CX-9, the current Mazda lineup is filled with peppy crossovers. To get you on the right foot, we’ve gathered the best small-scale SUVs Mazda offers.

Smallest: 2022 Mazda CX-30

Starting price: $22,500

Wheelbase: 104.4 inches

Seating capacity: Five

With unmatched handling, standard AWD, and generous interior furnishings, the 2022

Mazda CX-30

plays above its class in price and size. However, the $31,725 turbo edition is a must-have upgrade for drivers who value performance in their compact SUV.

Small: 2021 Mazda CX-5

Starting price: $23,370

Wheelbase: 106.2 inches

Seating capacity: Five

Similar to other C-class offerings, the base 2021

CX-5

brings comfort, steering, and standard AWD—but not much power. A turbocharged model is a necessary upgrade for those wanting some quickness out of their SUV.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 is an A+ sedan for a B+ price. It has a fully loaded interior, a long-lasting warranty, and 58.1 cubic feet of storage space behind the front seat. Still, the CX-5 leans more towards the SUV side of things than the compact crossover.

Small-ish: 2022 Mazda CX-9

Starting price: $36,855

Wheelbase: 115.3 inches

Seating capacity: Seven

Handsome with a luxury-lite feel, the 2022

Mazda CX-9

is the hallmark offering of the current C-class lineup. This turbocharged SUV starts at $36,855 and moves from 0-60 in about 7.1 seconds. If you can't tell already, the 2022 Mazda CX-9 fixes the C-class’s biggest problem: Performance.

Not only is the CX-9 stylish, but its turbocharged, inter-cooled V4 engine means you’ll never feel left behind in the power department. Oh—and this midsize SUV offers a competitive 26 combined MPG. That’s some impressive efficiency for a seven-seater.

MORE:

Are Mazdas good cars?

The best alternatives to Mazda’s smallest SUV

As a compact-focused brand, Mazda has a capable selection of small-size SUVs—but Mazda isn’t the only compact brand on the market. Subaru, Honda, and Kia (among others) have plenty of great options. There’s room for a few small sheriffs in this town.

Prim and practical: 2022 Honda CR-V

Rated 9 out of 10 by Car and Driver, the 2022 Honda CR-V is a relaxing ride for its small size. This comfy SUV offers a front-motor engine, superb fuel economy (35 combined MPG), and a host of safety features. Despite a 104.7 wheelbase, the 2022 Honda CR-V is roomy—fitting 75.8 cubic feet of storage with the back seats down.

What’s not to love? For starters, the 2022

Honda CR-V

might be a little bland for some. It’s practical, sure, but the exterior stylings (and interior) aren't turning any heads. Secondly, it’s not as fast or smooth as Mazda’s lineup of AWD compact SUVs. The 2022 Honda CR-V comes with either a 1.5-liter turbocharged or a 2.0-liter hybrid engine.

Bold and boxy: 2022 Subaru Forester

With a 104.3-inch wheelbase, the 2022 Subaru Forester is just as compact as the CX-30. But this outdoor-life-oriented SUV takes a step ahead in customization, powertrain, and efficiency. The 2022

Subaru Forester

offers great fuel economy—28 combined MPG—and unique styling.

If you love Subaru, this is undoubtedly the compact SUV for you. If you’re unsure, just step inside the cockpit of a wilderness model. It’ll be hard to choose anything else.

The future of efficiency: 2023 Kia Sportage

For the 2023

Kia Sportage

, the “K” stands for kachow. This SUV offers a smooth ride, quick powertrain, and a jazzy design. And, as a compact Kia, you already know the 2023 Sportage has incredible fuel efficiency—up to 44 combined MPG.

The name implies serious speed, but that isn’t the real highlight here. Instead, the 2023 Kia Sportage outruns the pack in terms of customization, stylings, and sheer variety. This single SUV comes in 11 different packages—including a hybrid powertrain.

There’s arguably a 2023 Kia Sportage for everyone.

How to shrink your car insurance payments

Small SUVs aren’t just easier to park. They also occupy less space in your

Mazda CX-3 car insurance

bill. Still, a small car isn’t a surefire route to smaller payments. If you want to shrink your insurance payments, you’ll need to start crunching numbers, weighing pros and cons, and doing some research—or you can get

Jerry

As a

licensed broker app

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Ready to switch? Our best-in-class customer support team can help you cancel your old plan and find a new policy. Best of all, the average Jerry user saves over $800 a year on car insurance. That’s a few more bucks to put towards a new Mazda SUV!

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