Hey guys,

I've been denying for a while that a change of circumstances means a bigger car (but I don't want a huge car). I've driven the Mazda CX-3 on several occasions and quite like the manual Maxx model (in Australia). I kind of (wrongly) assumed the 500X was a bigger vehicle but it's actually 2mm shorter (260m wider though). The 500X isn't due for release in Australia until toward the end of the year though and I'm wondering if anyone else had tossed up between the two? Or was currently looking at both?

We don't currently have pricing so I can't make a comparison there at this stage. I know if I was being purely strategic and logical about it the Mazda is probably the way to go, but I adore my little Fiat 500 and feel maybe the association will push me towards the 500X.

Cheers,
Tee

I will be looking at the 500X and the CX-3, when my Bravo is ready for replacement.
Here in Denmark, the Mazda is a bit cheaper, has more equipment (at least in the top version) but slightly less powerfull engines.
I'm looking at either a 500X 1.4 Multiair with DCT in Lounge with all the extras or a CX-3 with a 2.0 automatic with all the extras.
One other difference is the 3 year or 100,000 km warranty on the Mazda and the optional 7 year waaranty on the Fiat (normal is 2 year, but we can buy extra years of warranty, up to 7 years or 150,000 km).
I actually like the current Mazda designs (I haven't driven the CX-3 yet), but I'm also a Fiat man (I have driven a 500X but only with a manual transmission), so it's a tough choice ;-)

The Fiat is nippier in the 1.4 turbo, but the Mazda is more comfortable although no raised road position

the auto 2.0 petrol was what i test drove and I liked it a lot, the sport nav is brilliantly equipped and comes with some great toys

3 downsides for me though
the low driving position
the plastics inside are hard, tacky and a bit nasty
for the car to look nice you have to add about £1K in body kit parts which are not shown on the site!!

go take one out the mazda is a great drive but not high enough!!!

Just test drove the CX-3 (twice actually) and it's really great.
I actually love the 120HP 2.0 NA engine, compared to the 1.4 Tjet in my Bravo.
I could without trouble, reach the stated mpg during the test drives.
And I love the gagdets in the Optimum version (top spec in Denmark), most of all the radar cruise control

The instrument cluster is a bit old fashioned; no colour TFT screen, but old style trip computer. And there's no temp. reading for the coolant.
But the Head-Up-Display makes up for the lacking instruments.

Seats are quite good, side mirrors are huge and transmission was perfect (manual, I haven't been able to try the automatic).

So all in all, the wife and me are looking into getting a CX-3 instead of a 500X.

CX3 is good car, I havent drive it, but I think price dfirence is too big compared to 500X. So I would choice 500x. 500X is really nice car.

danijel said:

CX3 is good car, I havent drive it, but I think price dfirence is too big compared to 500X. So I would choice 500x. 500X is really nice car.

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It's the complete opposite here in Denmark.
Here the CX-3 is cheaper than the 500X and it's better equipped.

I also really like the 500X but the differences are just tipping in favour of the CX-3.
And to top it, my wife (who is very short) actually sits perfectly in the CX-3, but she has trouble reaching the clutch in the 500X.

Just to finish this 500X vs. CX-3 discussion:

The wife and me, has just ordered a Mazda CX-3 2.0 120HP Optimum (highest level). We will know tomorrow or tuesday if we get an automatic or a manual.
We would prefer an automatic, but we don't want to wait 6 month for a new car, so it's all up to which cars are coming to Denmark in november and if the dealer can highjack an automatic for us

It has all the electronic gadgets and we really love the head-up display and radar cruise control

So I'm sorry to be leaving Fiat behind, but I suspect I will get one in a few years (at least I hope so).

I didn't like the manual handbrake in the cx3,like the auto one in the fiat.

Don't be sorry for leaving the 500x. probably you will have less stress with mazda..and manual handbrake is better than auto one..
Yes after few years when fiat lean with their mistakes on this car. just i had all problems earlier than everyone..

Well I am extremely happy with my 500x and think it's a brilliant vehicle. One rogue car does not make all of the 500x's bad.

maybe you right but after all faults i wouldn't recommend 500x but its only my experience and luck..

twobigdogs said:

Well I am extremely happy with my 500x and think it's a brilliant vehicle. One rogue car does not make all of the 500x's bad.

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I totally agree.
I believe the 500X is a good car, in my situation it's just more expensive than the CX-3 and doesn't offer more for the extra money.
The CX-3 wins hands down on specs, but there is a few things where I favour the 500X, but just not enough
I would have to pay a third more for the 500X with close to the same specs (and I would still miss out on a few cool features like radar cruise control) compared to the CX-3.

Maybe all 500x is bad but they are start to give some problems.. Maybe yours is ok but not all of them. I think main problem is they didn't check proper before putting market(they seen some problem before coming out)And most of them has brakes/radio/and some electrical problems and some problems reported to FIAT and they start to fix them..

Santa: how much of a price difference are we talking about?

-Tazio

Tazio said:

Santa: how much of a price difference are we talking about?

-Tazio

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Remember this is in Denmark (with our huge taxes on cars), so it may not be the same in other countries.

A 2.0 120HP Optimum (top spec version) with automatic transmission is 304,990 DKK (ca. 41,000 Euro).
A 500X Multiair 140HP DCT Lounge with extra packs (to compare with the Mazda) is 357,000 (48,000 Euro).
The 500X still misses out on radar cruise control and Head-Up Display.
Navigation is not included in those prices; Mazda take 6000 DKK (800 Euro), Fiat take 15,000 DKK (2000 Euro).

I know the engine is more powerfull in the Fiat, but there's not that much difference in reality.

^
Thanks!

-Tazio

I too am considering CX-3 and 500X.
Does CX-3 have the following options:

- Tire Pressure Monitoring (standard on all trim levels in 500X)

- Lane Assist (standard on Lounge, Cross and Cross Plus levels)

- Bi-Xenon (Lounge, Cross Plus)

- Keyless Entry/Go (Lounge, Cross, Cross Plus)

- Blind Spot Assist (optional Safety Pack)

- Heated Steering Wheel (optional Winter Pack)?

italianoleone said:

I too am considering CX-3 and 500X.
Does CX-3 have the following options:

- Tire Pressure Monitoring (standard on all trim levels in 500X)

- Lane Assist (standard on Lounge, Cross and Cross Plus levels)

- Bi-Xenon (Lounge, Cross Plus)

- Keyless Entry/Go (Lounge, Cross, Cross Plus)

- Blind Spot Assist (optional Safety Pack)

- Heated Steering Wheel (optional Winter Pack)?

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Hi I think lane assist is an option on the cross plus model,as I have ordered one.

Lane Assist is standard on the Cross Plus model here in Italy. Even more, it's standard on Pop Star model (N/A with 1,6 E-Torque models).

All new cars sold in the UK must now have tyre presume monitoring as standard.