First launched by the Rover Co. in 1948, Land Rover has earned a 72-year reputation for delivering tough, durable, go-anywhere, 4-wheel-drive utility vehicles without sparing comfort or tech. Now known as Jaguar Land Rover Automotive PLC, and owned by parent Tata Motors of India, Land Rover continues to produce luxurious, safe, sturdy, high-tech and high-ticket off-roaders.

That tradition takes another step with the all-new Land Rover Defender, bringing back the badge (originally marketed from 1983-2016) with a new body structure, all-new technologies and proven hardware. Defender is a luxury four-wheel drive off-road SUV that is rugged, upmarket and re-imagined for the 21st century.

Playing on its iconic silhouette and shape, Defender is newly engineered for increased all-terrain capability and toughness. With a rugged modular interior providing comfort, capability and connectivity tech, Defender attends to its niche while remaining Land Rover luxurious and amenity packed. My test Defender 110 was outfitted with All Wheel Drive, Electronic Air Suspension, 8-speed Automatic Transmission, Auto-dimming interior rear view mirror, Garage Door Opener (HomeLink®), Wireless Device Charging, Keyless Entry, Connected Navigation Pro, 10-inch Touchscreen, Hill Launch Assist, Electric Power Assisted Steering, Dynamic Stability Control, Low Traction Launch, Electronic Traction Control, Roll Stability Control, Cornering Brake Control, Hill Descent Control and much more.

Defender’s rugged architecture employs minimal front and rear overhangs, with a purposeful upright stance and Alpine light windows in the roof, while retaining its iconic side-hinged rear tailgate and externally mounted spare wheel. That ruggedness is embodied in a package that measures 77.4 inches long, 78.6 inches high and 79.1 inches high on a 119.0-inch wheelbase, with a front overhang of 33.3 inches. Curb weight runs from 3815 to 4940 for the 110 model I tested, and some trims beef up to as much as 5165 lbs with the larger engine.

The Defender interior is an upscale, capable, comfortable, intuitive environment. Cabin features include, leather gearshift and steering wheel, carpet mats, two-zone Climate Control, cargo cover, footwell lights, rear reading lights, 40:20:40 folding rear seats, 8-way semi-powered front seats, Ebony fabric seats with Ebony/Ebony interior and such Driver Assistance tech advances as Blind Spot Assist, 3D Surround Camera

Cruise Control and Speed Limiter, Driver Condition Monitor, Lane Keep Assist, 360⁰ Parking Aid, Traffic Sign Recognition, Adaptive Speed Limiter and Wade Sensing.

With 5/6 seating or 5-plus-2 seating, Defender supplies 40.6 inches of front row headroom, 40.4 in row two and 40.7 in row three. Legroom is 39.1 inches in front, 39.1 in row two and only 20.5 in the third row, while shoulder room comes in at a spacious 60.8, 59.2 and 48.3.

U.S. customers can choose between a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, badged P300, and a 3.0-liter six-cylinder Mild-Hybrid Electric Vehicle powertrain, badged P400. The P300 powertrain, which produces 296hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, uses an advanced twin-scroll turbocharger for smooth performance and efficient power delivery, The P400 inline-six MHEV powertrain harvests energy normally lost during deceleration and redeploys it to optimize performance to provide 395hp and 406-lb ft of torque. Both engines are paired with a smooth and responsive eight-speed ZF® automatic transmission and twin-speed transfer box, to deliver a set of low-range ratios essential for towing or off-road driving when more control is required.

In tests, my 2.0-liter, estimated at 18mpg/city and 21mpg/highway, averaged 19.3mpg, and at the track, we accelerated from zero to 60mph in 8 seconds-flat (hand-timed) during a 16.3-second quarter-mile. The sturdy short, long arms (SLA) double wishbone front suspension with an integral link rear was comforting and supple, and the Electronic Power Assisted Rack and Pinion Steering was All-Terrain attentive and in-town attentive, though loose at high speed.

The 2020 Land Rover Defender starts at $49,900 for the Standard P300 110 model (296-hp), moves up to $62,250 for the P400 with 395-hp and tops out at $80,900 plus destination and delivery charges for the 110X trim.

My 2020 Defender 110S (one step up from the base model) with the base 296-hp P300 powertrain, started at $53,350 and tweaked up from Standard with 19-inch 6-spoke, Gloss Silver Finish wheels, auto high beam assist lights, Ebony Grained leather and Robust Woven Textile seat facings with Ebony interior, interactive driver display sound system and much more. Pangea Green exterior paint added $710. The $4800 Explorer Pack added front and rear classic mudflaps, matte black hood decal, wheel arch protection, raised air intake, Expedition roof rack, exterior side-mounted gear carrier and spare wheel cover. Off-road and towing packs are extra, but my ride uptweaked for comfort and convenience, adding a Meridian™ Sound System, Premium cabin lighting and front console refrigerator for $895, the Cold Climate Pack (heated windshield, washer jets, power wash and steering wheel) for $700, and Three-Zone Climate Control with Rear Cooling Assist for $1075, also adding Cabin Air Ionization ($100) and Air Quality Sensor ($75). SiriusXM Radio ($300) and WiFi Enabling with Data Plan ($360) were selected and The Driver Assist Pack was also added, with Clear Exit Monitor, Adaptive Cruise Control and rear Traffic Monitor for $1275. Adding Delivery and Destination charges of $1350, my Defender 110S stickered at $64,990.

> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>

 

How about we all just forget 2020 ever happened, ok?  Seriously, things were less than ideal.  With Fall Carlisle 2020 wrapping the season for the Carlisle Events and Carlisle Auctions teams, now is a great time to share what’s on tap for the future, specifically we’re excited to announce our car show and auction schedules for 2021. 

It all starts January 15-17 with Auto Mania within the Agri-Plex building of the Allentown Fairgrounds.  This eastern Pennsylvania event is perfectly located within a 200 mile driving radius of nearly 10,000,000 people.  Some of them even have interest in cars, making Auto Mania Pennsylvania’s LARGEST indoor and heated automotive flea market.

One month later, the heat comes from Mother Nature and the sun and fun of Florida.  Winter AutoFest runs February 19-21 and is held at the SUN ‘n FUN Expo Campus in Lakeland.  This event is another where an automotive flea market is part of the fun, but it also offers an auction (more on that soon), a car corral PLUS multiple car show options, including a general cruise-in, Mopar and Corvette Fun Fields, the NCRS and Mustang car show.  Mix in the car fun with an active runway/airport and there’s always something unique to see.

The fun in Carlisle starts with Spring Carlisle, April 21-25.  For five days in late spring, the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds come to life as throngs of car lovers converge to buy, sell and trade all things automotive.  After all, some of the best deals are found at the event and by dealing direct vs. a sight unseen online purchase from a faceless seller.  Spring Carlisle also hosts a car corral where person to person car sales are a popular aspect.  For auction enthusiasts, Carlisle Auctions presents a two-day offering, April 22-23 at the Carlisle Expo Center.  Here, attendees have a chance to find their first or next classic and ultimately, an investment that truly accelerates.

Less than a month after the spring event, specialty car show season commences with the Carlisle Import & Performance Nationals.  This international showcase of cars and trucks from around the world runs May 14-15.  Drifting, autocross and automotive competitions historically anchor this event and cars showcased from no less than eight different countries of production, with over 100 years of history available in one place.  All-new in 2021, Friday evening of the event will feature extended hours with more show specific fun, including track time and competitions.

In the final weeks of the spring season, Carlisle Events “Summer of Muscle” commences with the Carlisle Ford Nationals, Carlisle GM Nationals and Carlisle Chrysler Nationals.   Ford weekend, presented by Meguiar’s, runs June 4-6, the freshly re-branded Carlisle GM Nationals are June 25-26 and the Chrysler Nationals span July 9-11. 

Each event has its own unique personality and highlights a diverse array of cars/trucks, guests and more, especially as part of the National Parts Depot Showfield during the Ford and GM.  For Ford, guests can enjoy brands like Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Merkur, Ford Tractors and more, while GM hosts Chevrolet, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Buick, etc.  Further, Chrysler weekend sees decades of classics front and center like the Dart, Road Runner, Charger, Challenger, ‘Cuda, GTX, Duster and more, with some of the best new rides positioned all around.  Guests, competitions and anniversary displays are also a big part of all three events.

Positioned between Ford and Chrysler weekend and running in conjunction with the GM Nationals, Carlisle Auctions offers its third event of the year, the Summer Sale.  This one day classic and collector car auction takes place at the Carlisle Expo Center on June 26.

(Read More – Page 2)

After a few weeks “off,” the Carlisle Events team welcomes truck lovers to town as part of the Carlisle Truck Nationals presented by A&A Auto Stores.  This event, August 6-8, is the MOST family friendly offering of the season, combining fun exhibitions with monster truck shows, displays and more.  Kids and adults alike can enjoy in real life the trucks they play with as toys and it doesn’t matter if it’s a fire truck, big rig, cool custom van, SUV, light duty truck, etc., if it’s part of the truck family, it’s on display at Carlisle.

The last specialty, or car specific show, is Corvettes at Carlisle presented by Top Flight Automotive.  The 2021 event runs August 26-28 and aims once more to spotlight every generation of the Corvette, from 1953’s C1 to today’s modern marvel, the mid-engine C8.  Planned to return in 2021 will be the Corvette Engineers from Team Chevrolet, seminars from Paul Koerner, a 50-year display of 1971 Corvettes, Chip’s Choice with a salute to law enforcement theme, on-site installations, parts shopping within the automotive flea market, midway and more.  Also planning a return to the 2021 docket is the downtown Corvette parade and street party and NEW, a “thin blue line” flag, showing support for those who keep us safe and put their lives on the line daily.

2021 wraps with a pair of auctions and Fall Carlisle, the flagship automotive flea market event powered by Carlisle Events.  Fall Carlisle 2021 spans five days, September 29-October 3 and includes a large-scale vending field, car corral and an unrivaled Manufacture’s Midway.  Much like Spring Carlisle, the fall event is a place where car lovers from all walks of life come together to buy, sell and trade all things automotive, all while catching up with old friends or making some new ones along the way.

Fall Carlisle (like Lakeland and Spring) also hosts a two-day, 400+ lot, classic and collector car auction.  The fall auction at the Carlisle Expo Center, just blocks from the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds, takes place September 30-October 1.  Lots that cross the block range from early 1900’s era production to modern rides that will no doubt be future classics.  A best-of-show classic or show worthy daily driver can be had starting in the four-figure price range and up and auctions historically include a theme specific to a brand or style, like an all-Ford hour or all-truck hour.

The final auction of the season takes the Carlisle Auctions team back to Florida, this time Sarasota.  Sunset-Carlisle takes place November 12-13 at the Sunset Automotive Group facility on Sawyer Loop Rd., not far from I-75.  Though a slightly smaller version of the auction events in Lakeland and Carlisle, hundreds of “Florida cars” cross the block, including sports cars, exotics, well kept muscle and more. 

Involvement in all auctions yields the ability to buy, sell or simply watch as a spectator.  Bidding is offered in person, online or over the phone, making the process simple and convenient.  Auction consignments are also taken under Carlisle Auctions’ FREE UNLESS SOLD guarantee, meaning any consignment 25 years or older that doesn’t sell will see applicable fees refunded.  Finally, consigning early means more time for the Carlisle Auctions team to expertly market and promote to a hungry audience of car enthusiasts.  Full auction details are available at www.CarlisleAuctions.com or by calling 717-960-6400.

As the car shows go, many display themes and guests that will support them will be announced in the coming weeks and months through www.CarlisleEvents.com or on the show’s respective social media pages.  Those interested in becoming a vendor or learning more can call 717-243-7855.

Carlisle Events and Carlisle Auctions are committed to the health and safety of guests who attend our events.  As such, we remain COVID-19 compliant heading into the 2021 season.  Current health safety measures are available for review online at either of the aforementioned web pages.  Call or check CarlisleEvents.com and CarlisleAuctions.com to confirm dates, prices and activities.

Emphasizing a bold new look and its bumper-to-bumper, wheels-to-roof transformation, the all-new 12^th-generation, 2020 Toyota Corolla sedan continues its legacy as an economical top-selling sedan. The best-selling nameplate in the world with 46 million units sold since its introduction in 1966, Corolla is currently the ninth top-selling vehicle and third best-selling sedan in America. The new-generation Corolla follows last year’s Hatchback launch with a 52mpg-Corolla Hybrid and a trendy new dynamic look for the sedan with Toyota's New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform for improved stability, agility and comfort. The TNGA platform is new to the sedan and imparts increased rigidity, and the rear suspension has beefed up with a new, more sophisticated multilink system.

Also new for 2020 are Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (standard), a new 169-horsepower, TNGA 2.0-liter Dynamic Force Engine – available in addition to the standard 1.8-liter powerplant, available Dynamic-Shift CVT or six-speed manual transmission, standard Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa compatibility and Wi-Fi Connect. My test Corolla SE came with the larger 2.0-liter engine, normal and sport driving modes, front-wheel-drive, 18-inch alloy wheels, Dark Gray Metallic Sport Side Rocker panels and color-keyed rear spoiler, sport mesh Dark Gray Metallic front grille with LED accent lighting, 8-inch touchscreen, and sporty interior coolness with a center stack screen providing access to vehicle settings, audio controls, navigation, and audio multimedia.

From every angle, the new Corolla sedan looks lower and leaner, tauter and tighter. Powerful fender flares and generously curved fender top surfaces accent its sculpted, athletic demeanor. It’s not the econobox your parents drove in the ‘60s. The compact Corolla is shorter, wider and lower in this generation for increased stability, shortening length by 0.8 inches to 182.3 inches; gaining 0.2 inches in width to 70.1 and losing 0.8 inches in height to 56.5 inches, on the same 106.3-inch wheelbase, though the platform is brand new -- Toyota's New Global Architecture. Curbweight goes from 2910 lbs. to 3150 lbs. depending on trims and accessories, putting on from 50 to 100 lbs. Ground clearance is lower by more than an inch, at 5.1 inches.

Corolla has been known for its fuel economy and that continues this year. The 2020 Corolla offers two efficient engines, a 1.8-liter, 16-valve inline-four-cylinder engine and a direct-injection 2.0-liter Dynamic Force inline-4. The base 1.8-liter unit gains 7hp and delivers 139 horses with the same 126 lb-ft of torque as did the last generation. The 2.0-liter is good for 169hp and 151 lb-ft., where the top-tuned engine of Gen-11 put out 140hp. In keeping with the Corolla mission, Corolla’s 1.8-liter is EPA rated at 30mpg/city, 38mpg/highway and 33mpg/overall. The 2.0 is rated at 31/38/34, and one setup can get you 40mpg on the highway.

The front-wheel-drive system may not be a track star, but it did show energy and finished a zero-to-60mph sprint in 7.9 seconds (hand-timed), during a 16.2-second hand-timed quarter-mile. Showing the economical fuel consumption that first built its following, my test ride averaged 30.2mpg in mixed-use driving.

Corolla’s Independent MacPherson strut front suspension with stabilizer bar and rear multi-link with stabilizer bar smoothed out road imperfections better than old econocars did, but it isn’t quite up to lavish ride status.

With seating for five, Corolla provides the same 38.3 inches of front headroom as last year, and 37.1 inches in row two. However, legroom loses a bit from last year at 42.0 inches in the first row and a tighter 34.8 inches in the second seats. Shoulder room is comfortable at 54.0 up front and cozier at 51.7 in row two. The cabin is packed with infotainment, climate features, cool upscale lighting and instrumentation, and various informational displays that are driver-friendly. The cabin is quieter than ever thanks to the new structure, drivetrain improvements and insulation. Cabin environment is improved with Corolla sedan’s fully redesigned air conditioning system that employs smarter climate control, as its innovative twin-layer recirculation/fresh air induction unit reduces glass fogging while promoting recirculation of warm cabin air in lower areas.

From a safety perspective, the 2020 Corolla sedan features eight standard airbags and Toyota’s Star Safety System, which includes Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control, Traction Control, Electronic Brake-force Distribution, Brake Assist, Anti-lock Braking System, and Smart Stop Technology, and all Corolla sedan models come equipped with a standard backup camera. Significantly, all 2020 Toyota Corolla sedan models are equipped standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, an advanced suite of integrated active and pre-collision safety features.

Starting at under $20,000 for the base 2020 Toyota Corolla L ($19,600), Corolla comes in seven trims, including the Hybrid LE, which bases at $23,100. The top XSE trim starts at $25,550, and my test SE trim, second in the lineup, starts at $22,050. Barcelona Red exterior paint was mated to a Light Gray/Moonstone fabric interior and we added one of three SE Premium Packages available, the middle option, for $2315 that included a ton of Siri, Alexa, Apple, Verizon WiFi and remote connect capabilities, GPS, Blindspot warning, remote keyless entry, color-keyed heated outside mirrors, and much more. Bodyside moldings added $209, Door Edge Guards added $125, Mudguards added $129, and Delivery, Processing and Handling fees of $995 put the sticker-as-tested at $25,823. 

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years.

Jaguar leapt into the electric car niche last year with I-PACE, the company’s first all-electric vehicle, and an EV SUV/crossover as well. This fun-to-drive sports-ute had non-traditional electric car sportiness, luxury amenities inside and out, and 394-horsepower performance. Jaguar’s first full battery-electric vehicle has an EPA estimated range of up to 234 miles from a single full charge of its 90kWh lithium-ion battery, and a new software upgrade developed from its eTROPHY racing analysis can improve its real-world range to up to 246 miles.

The software upgrade is part of minor augmentation for 2020, as Jaguar chose to stand pat for the most part, in the second year of I-PACE’s initial run. Also new for 2020 are changes to the torque distribution between the front and rear motors in AWD to deliver greater efficiency when driving in ECO mode. Jaguar has also made refinements to thermal management control to make greater use of the active radiator vane system, closing the vanes more frequently to enhance aerodynamic performance more of the time. Additionally for 2020, changes to the predictive range calculation algorithm delivers a more accurate and consistent estimate of vehicle range, while being more reflective of an individual’s driving style. In addition, regenerative braking now harvests energy more efficiently when the battery is in a high state of charge, and the amount of energy recovery improves at lower driving speeds to maximize efficiency and range.

The all-electric SUV has also uptweaked with a complimentary 4G data plan, a 360-degree camera system, wireless charging, and an onboard app that displays where the nearest charging stations are and how long it should take to restore the battery. Regarding charging, I-PACE’s new 11.0-kW onboard charger has improved charging, and can complete a full recharge from a dead battery in 8.6 hours – last year’s system took 12.6 hours to recharge from zero.

The stylish and sporty I-PACE looks like a luxury sedan up front and your only get the SUV demeanor when looking at it from the side or rear. Definitely not a boxy sports-ute, I-PACE shows off a fixed panoramic roof, Gloss Black door claddings and valance, Gloss Black grille with Satin Chrome surround, tailgate spoiler, rain-sensing windshield wipers, heated rear window with timer, 3-flash lane change indicators, LED tail lights, rear fog lights, Automatic Headlight Leveling System and “Follow me home” lighting.

Weighing in at a robust 4784 lbs (curbweight), the sporty I-PACE fits its midsize crossover niche with dimensions of 184.3 inches long, 61.3 inches high and 79.2 inches wide on a 117.7-inch wheelbase.  Ground clearance is 5.6 inches at maximum load.

I-PACE melds Jaguar’s iconic sleekness outside and interior luxury with Big Cat muscle -- 394 horsepower and 512 lb-ft of torque while attaining an EPA-rated driving range of up to 246 miles on a full charge. When drivers do not have 8 hours for a full charge, rapid public charging from 0-80 percent can be accomplished in less than 40-minutes, with a 15-minute charge delivering a 60-mile range. Full charges can be undertaken at public sites or at home with an AC wall box (7kW).

Smooth acceleration, track-worthy handling and dynamics are part of Jaguar’s sportscar DNA, and I-PACE delivers with effortless passing at speed, easy conquering of uphill grades and auto-cross dominating steering. From a standing start, my test I-PACE accelerated to a 4.5-second hand-timed zero-to-60mpg sprint and finished off a quarter-mile in a sports sedanlike 13.1 seconds (hand-timed).

The well-appointed cabin speaks of Jaguar lavishness, from its high-quality materials, three information displays and touch-capacitive controls, to its fit, finish and infotainment. The center console’s floating-bridge design is bold, cockpit-like and well above the traditional SUV insipidness. I-PACE seats five, though front headroom is a bit tight at 39.9 inches with only 38.1 inches in row two. Legroom is relaxing in row one at 40.9, but snug at 35 inches in row two, and shoulder room is 57.6 in front and 54.6 inches in the rear seats.

As is characteristic with an electric vehicle, the cabin is quiet, though you do get some tire and road noise on the highway, and the touchscreen takes a beat to respond. Sightlines are good up front and on the sides, but the small rear window and rear shoulders create a blind zone.

The 2020 Jaguar I-PACE starts at $69,850 for the Base model (I-PACE S) and tops off at the HSE trim at $80,900. My I-PACE in SE trim based at $76,250 (about $400 higher than last year). Caesium Blue exterior paint added $710 and the trim came with 20-inch 6-spoke wheels, Ebony grained-leather sport seats with an Ebony interior, 10-way electric memory front seats, soft-grain leather sport steering wheel and 11-speaker/12-amp channel Meridian sound system. A high-res head-up information display added $970; the Driver Assist Pack with 360-degree surround camera and adaptive cruise control added $1300; the Cold Weather Pack with heated windshield, heated washer jets and heated steering wheel added $530; front fog lights were $100; a reduced section alloy spare wheel was $150; cabin air ionization added $100; power gesture tailgate added $100 and delivery and destination charges added $1150 for a sticker-as-tested of $81,360.

> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>

Mazda added the CX-3 subcompact to its crossover lineup for model-year 2016, replacing the similar Mazda2 subcompact. In a world of large and often-expensive SUVs, Mazda’s CX-3 represents a more-economic, fuel-conscious downsize that can take on urban landscapes with crowded traffic and parking challenges, camping and outdoor ventures, long highway cruises and family excursions, looking good and sporty while handling with good manners along the way.

Ready for adventure, and developed with Mazda’s striking design philosophy, athletic driving dynamics and straightforward driving position, CX-3 offers an engaging package for urbanites who don’t settle for the conventional. This unconventional presentation has earned the 2020 Mazda CX-3 subcompact crossover the attention of industry experts, and the fun-to-drive mini-ute has been awarded the title as "Best Subcompact SUV of 2020” by Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.Com while gaining a 2020 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ ranking from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

New for 2020, Mazda has eliminated the Touring and Grand Touring trims that were available last year, reducing the line-up to only the Sport trim. A treasure of advanced safety features have been added as have convenience items including standard Android Audio and Apple CarPlay. Additionally, i-Activesense driver assistance features are now standard. The standard suite of i-Activesense safety amenities includes Mazda Radar Cruise Control with stop-and-go function, Advanced Smart City Brake Support with Pedestrian Detection, Smart Brake Support with Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning, High Beam Control, Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert and a rearview camera.

The 2020 Mazda CX-3 Sport is packed with more than safety. CX-3 is augmented so fully that enhancement packages offered are non-existent. Standard interior installs include cloth door trim with Black armrests, Black center console knee pads, power windows with driver's one-touch down/up feature, power door locks with 2-stage unlocking, push button start, rear window defogger with timer, remote fuel door release, remote keyless illuminated entry system with “answer back” feature, tilt and telescopic steering column, 7-inch full-color touch screen display, Bluetooth® hands-free phone and audio capability, AM/FM audio system with Automatic Level Control and six speakers, MAZDA CONNECT™ Infotainment System, Active Driving Display, Ambient temperature and digital clock, 6-way manual driver's seat, steering wheel-mounted audio and cruise controls and a trip computer.

 

CX-3’s athletic architecture features smooth, flowing angles that designers market as “creating a sense of motion.” CX-3 Sport now features all LED exterior lighting as standard, including adaptive headlights, taillights and daytime running lights. To add function to form, the LED headlights have automatic on/off and automatic leveling capabilities. Body-colored power side mirrors with integrated turn signals complement body-colored door handles, and rain-sensing windshield wipers, complement the rear window wiper. To bring the entire package together, the CX-3 is styled with 16-inch aluminum alloy wheels, a roof spoiler, shark fin antenna, dual stainless-steel exhaust outlets and an understated black front grille design that brings greater depth and distinction.

 

Mazda CX-3 is molded in subcompact dimensions on a 101.2-inch wheelbase, with a length of 168.3 inches, width of 69.6 inches and height of 60.7 combining for a minimum ground clearance of 6.1 inches. Curb weight is 2851 lbs. for FWD and 2994 lbs. for AWD configuration.

 

Inside, with seating for five, CX-3’s stylish cabin provides full instrumentation including tachometer and fuel level gauge, Black gauges with White lettering and Silver surround, 60/40 split fold-down rear seats and front and rear outboard seat headrests. The cabin affords front headroom of 38.4 inches, with 37.2 inches in row two; legroom is 41.4 inches up front and 35.0 inches for the rear seats, and shoulder room comes in at 53.5 and 50.4.

CX-3 powers up with a 16-valve, 4-cylinder SKYACTIV®-G1 2.0-liter DOHC engine that produces 148 horsepower and 146 lb-ft of torque. In FWD, the system is EPA-rated at 29mpg/city and 34mpg/highway, and in AWD, CX-3 gets 27/32. My week of tests in the AWD averaged 30.8mpg.

The mini-crossover’s electric power-assist rack-and-pinion steering was agile and attentive, with acceptable understeer and stability, and the suspension is set for a premium riding experience, though road feel is lessened in favor of smoothness.

The 148-hp power plant and quick-shifting Skyactiv-Drive six-speed automatic transmission with manual-shift mode and Sport mode accelerated smoothly and predictably, passing at speed with some strategy, and conquering uphill grades with patience. At the track, CX-3 is econo-speeded, with a zero-to-60mph sprint accomplished in 9.6 seconds, during a tedious 17.4-second hand-timed quarter-mile.

The 2020 Mazda CX-3 is available in one trim level, the Sport, starting at $20,640 in front-wheel-drive and $22,040 in all-wheel-drive. I prefer the stability and reliability of AWD and we started there. Soul Red Crustal Metallic exterior paint added $595 and was complemented by a Black cloth interior. No full option packages were available as the CX-3 Sport is loaded with standard items, but a frameless auto-dimming rearview mirror with Homelink® added $325, all-weather floormats added $125, and rear parking sensors added $500. Affixing the $1100 destination fee put the sticker of this 2020 Mazda CX-3 Sport as-tested at $24,185.

<I> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>