Are there too many crossovers ? Doesn’t look like it, that’s sure. Customers continue to shout for practicality and something nearly affordable, avoiding to purchase a minivan. Its unavoidable that the crossover pie gets sliced thinner and thinner. It has bew part sizes that seems like are coming every day.

The CX-3 runs on Mazda’s B-segment platform

There is sort of a tweener class between the fastest-growing parts, not too big, not too small, with the likes of the Fiat 500X, Nissan Juke, and Honda HR-V. Mazda dived into the clash two years ago with its roomy and stylish CX-3. Since then t’s been going gangbusters. Mazda sold about 20,000 this year till now, which is 5 times (!) more than  the first year.

The CX-3 runs on Mazda’s B-segment platform. It also supports the Mazda 2, sharing the 2’s 101.2-inch wheelbase. The CX-3 begins in the low $20,000s, . It offers both front- and all-wheel-drive configurations. The outside tails Mazda’s Kodo design language’s flowing shapes, insensibly weaving edges and relatively small greenhouse. Likening to some rivals the Mazda is a an art-work. Interior is a big part of the appeal. It’s comfortable and easygoing without causing claustrophobia. People can ride in back. Thanks to the 2.0-liter four, the CX-3 claims 29 mpg city and 35 mpg on the highway.

And that figure is going to be improved. Mazda Motor Corp. boss Masamichi Kogai says his company is on a hard work with an EV (possibly as early as 2019) and plug-in hybrid in 2021. He also  said the company finally has  the diesel code, and it offers performance Mazda buyers expect while meeting U.S. emissions standards. Mazda portend a diesel version of its best-selling CX-5 crossover at the LA auto show. The EPA doesn’t want to give the CX-5 diesel an official fuel economy rating but Kogai said the remodeled 2.2-liter Skyactiv-D would make it between the most fuel-efficient crossovers, with hybrids also.

The diesel’s torque may be match for the CX-5 and we foretell more of the same about the CX-3.