Text and photos by Eric Tipan
In the last two years it has won a Red Dot Design Award, the Autozeitung Design Trophy, the Auto Bild Golden Steering Wheel Award, Car of the Year (Thailand and Australia), and Consumer Reports’ Top Pick for Subcompact SUV, while also getting a five-star safety rating from Euro and Australasian NCAP (New Car Assessment Program). And to think, it’s only just two years old.
As it is based on the multi-awarded Mazda 3, it’s pretty obvious where it gets its looks. It shows off the sixth iteration of the same Kodo design in crossover form that Mazda is proud to say, still devoid of any character lines. What’s there is a play of reflections and angles that display a distinct wavy lighting signature. This you have to see to believe.