2016 Mazda CX-3 Priced Up With Boosted Safety Tech

Mazda has priced up its perky 2016 CX-3 crossover, with the compact city SUV kicking off at just shy of $20k when it goes on sale in August. Announced back in November 2014 at the LA Auto Show, the CX-3 bills itself a combination of Miata-style whimsy and useful space, with room for five inside, optional all-wheel drive, and what Mazda is predicting will be class-leading economy.

The standard – indeed, only – engine is Mazda's SKYACTIV-G 2.0-liter, good for 146 HP at 6,000 rpm and 146 lb-ft of torque at 2,800 rpm. It'll be matched to a six-speed automatic transmission; there'll be no manual or diesel options in the US.

The FWD version of the CX-3 will be good for an estimated 29 mpg in the city, Mazda claims, with 35 mpg on the highway for a combined 31 mpg. Spend the $1,250 to add i-ACTIV AWD, however, and those numbers drop to 27/32/29 mpg.

Cheapest will be the 2016 CX-3 Sport, at $19,960 (plus $880 destination and handling). It'll get Mazda's 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, a reversing camera, power windows and locks, and keyless entry.

Next up comes the CX-3 Touring, priced at $21,960 (plus destination and handling). It throws in heated leatherette seats with cloth inserts, Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA), heated door mirrors, a center armrest, and leather on the steering wheel and shifter.

Mazda will also offer the Touring with a $1,410 Touring Technology Package, throwing in a power moonroof, SiriusXM and HD radio, and a rear cargo cover.

Finally, there's the CX-3 Grand Touring, $24,990 (plus destination and handling), with the moonroof as standard, navigation, Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS), a head-up display, leather and Lux Suede two-toned seats, 7-speaker Bose audio with SiriusXM satellite and HD radio, the rear cargo cover, paddle shifters, and LEDs for the headlights, fog lights, daytime running lights, and tail lights.

It'll have an optional $1,920 i-ACTIVSENSE safety package, adding radar cruise control, smart braking, lane departure warnings, auto headlamps, and rain-sensing wipers.