Selwyn Times: May 08, 2019

SELWYN TIMES Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi
Wednesday May 8 2019 29
Small Mazda SUV
has further appeal
WHEN MAZDA launched
its CX-3 crossover/sport
utility vehicle in New
Zealand four years ago,
I was so smitten with it I
described it as being one
of the company’s finest
vehicles, it was certainly
one of my best drives for
2015.
Four years down the
track, not a lot has changed,
there’s now an upgraded
CX-3 and it still exudes the
feel and vigour that made
the first generation model so
memorable, only more so.
Like before, the CX-3
lands in six grades with
four-wheel-drive options
along the way. All share the
same naturally aspirated
2-litre engine, but there is
now the option of two high
grade models Limited and
Takami, the latter is a range
of high grade models that
are filtering all through
the Mazda line-up, and I
can report from previous
experience with Takami
grade it is something that
gives those models special
appeal.
All that aside, the CX-3
this evaluation focuses on is
a mid-spec front-drive GSX
and it lists at $36,695. For
the record, the entry-level
GLX sits at $31,995, while
the Takami tops the range
at $41,695.
Even in GSX form the
CX-3 wants for little, it
has all of the ingredients
that make you feel
comfortable, and there is
enough gadgetry to keep
the technophile happy.
Bear in mind that in this
specification it also gets
an i-Activesense safety
upgrade which includes
blind spot monitoring,
traffic sign recognition,
smart city brake support
reverse and radar cruise
control. Mazda’s safety
suite of technologies easily
qualifies for a five-star
Australasian New Car
Assessment program
rating.
While I consider the
CX-3 to be a true SUV, it
is small and its size won’t
appeal to everyone, it is a
bit tight in the rear seating
area but for me that’s never
been an issue, the car feels
so right to drive, and for a
small family it will easily
suffice as it makes good use
of its compact proportions.
There is also a purposeful
amount of rear cargo space
– according to Mazda –
264-litres to 1174-litres.
What I like most about
the CX-3 is its normality.
Everything is traditional,
there are no tricks with the
engine and the gearbox is a
torque converter automatic.
While it appears simple on
the surface, you also have
MAZDA CX-3: Two and four-wheel-drive options.
to take into account that
the driveline incorporates
Mazda’s SkyActive
technology which promotes
economical fuel usage
without compromise.
This has been the
direction Mazda has largely
focused on as a car maker;
it isn’t hugely into hybrids
or electric vehicles, but
it simply makes internal
combustion engines work
with amazing efficiency.
• Price – Mazda CX-3
GSX, $36,695
• Dimensions –
Length, 4275mm;
width, 1765mm;
height, 1535mm
• Configuration
– Four-cylinder,
front-wheel-drive,
1998cc, 110kW,
195Nm, six-speed
automatic.
• Performance –
0-100km/h, 9sec
• Fuel usage –
6.3l/100km
Motoring
Ross Kiddie
As a result, the CX-3 is
rated with a 6.3-litre per
100km (45mpg) combined
cycle fuel usage figure and
that is easily achievable.
Without trying, the fuel
usage reading on the
evaluation car’s digital
display was constantly
listing around 7l/100km
(40mpg). At 100km/h
the engine is relaxed
(2100rpm), sipping fuel at
the rate of just 4.5l/100km
(63mpg) instantaneously.
If you think this economy
comes at the expense of
performance you need not
be worried, Mazda claim
power outputs of 110kW
and 195Nm from the
1998cc engine.
The CX-3 is free-revving
and spirited, it’s lively to
drive, and because it isn’t
carrying too much weight
(1297kg) it feels agile and
nimble, and will return a
9sec standstill to 100km/h
acceleration time.
Along with the solid
response from under the
bonnet, the CX-3 is a hoot
when corners arrive. It
steers with beautiful feel
and feedback, it can be
driven enthusiastically
such is its poise and
composure, all of the
time the suspension
provides occupants with
a comfortable, controlled
ride as well as absorbing
the road undulations
without upsetting steering
response, nor body
balance.
If you weigh up all of
these ingredients, the CX-3
is a lot more than meets the
eye. It is built with all of the
fun factor that is Mazda’s
ideology, and that is why I
rate it so highly as a driver’s
car, it is so involving.
It is also well appointed,
and given this is the
CX-3’s second makeover
it wants for nothing inside.
GSX buyers have the choice
of a leatherette/cloth trim
or leather for an extra
$1600.
Elsewhere there is
keyless entry and ignition,
satellite navigation,
intuitive display screen
readouts, sport drive mode
and my favourite inclusion,
the standard fitment of a
CD player, which is great
for us old dinosaurs who
haven’t fully adapted to
the new digital music
technology.
I’ve written many times
in recent reviews about
the quality of product that
is coming out of Mazda
factories, the upgraded
CX-3 would be very much
a preferable choice, and if I
do get the chance to buy a
new car to see me through
my impending retirement,
then something out of
this Japanese stable will be
right at the forefront of any
decision.
Gardening
How to plant a fruit tree
NOW IS a good time
to get those fruit trees
planted.
Here are some tips:
•Dig a hole that is slightly
deeper than the root depth
and which allows for 20cm
clearance around the roots.
•Mix some compost with
the soil in the base of the
hole, then place the tree
and slow release fertiliser
in the hole so that the graft
is above soil level.
•Create a small mound at
the base of the hole and
spread the roots out carefully.
•Before back filling, position
tree stakes. Partly back
fill and firmly compact.
•Continue back filling and
compact once or twice
more.
•Water well.
LANDSCAPING IS a
wonderful pastime enjoyed
by many.
It provides a natural
beauty and needs no
ornaments or other
attractive items to help
achieve its magnificence.
However, what it does
needis a little TLC from
you and great ideas to keep
the landscape design ever
•Stake securely to ensure
root zone can’t move on
windy days.
Bare rooted trees bought
must not be left for roots
changing and up to date.
Landscape design is an
art that not only gives you
the freedom to express
yourself, but also makes
your home more beautiful
and inviting.
There are many methods
of landscape design to
explore. You can trim
your hedges or bushes in
a decorative manner. For
to dry.
•Plunge in water prior
to planting to ensure the
roots are moist prior to
planting.
Keep up with your landscape plans
Canterbury
Timber & Hardware
Timber Wood Fuel Pellets
20kg Bag for $12.30
Call in today for your free quote!
NEW ENTRANCE: 167 Manion Road, Rolleston
Jason Pester P 03 347 7465 F 03 347 7032 E jason@cthl.co.nz
Mon-Fri: 7am-5pm Saturday: 8am-12pm
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PATIOS - OUTDOOR AREAS - CAR PORTS
instance, you may want
to cut every other hedge a
foot shorter than the next
to produce a rolling effect.
You could also put a large
decorative fountain in the
middle of your yard.
If you are considering
landscape design, or have
already dabbled in it a bit,
you know the importance
of working with an expert.
We are here
Shadecraft is a locally owned company who specialise in shade and weather
protection products to enhance your homes design and use of outdoor areas.
SHADE SAILS – UMBRELLAS – ALL WEATHER CANOPIES
ShadeCraft (SI) Ltd
0800 742332 • Cell 0274 981239 • www.shadecraft.co.nz