Mazda announces second-generation CX-3 launch for 2027.
Production at Mazda-Ford plant in Thailand confirmed.
Sales planned for Japan and Southeast Asia.

Enthusiasts awaiting a fresh Miata may need to wait longer, as Mazda prioritizes updating its long-serving compact crossover. The smallest SUV in the lineup, the CX-3, will receive its second generation in 2027. This detail emerged in Mazda's recent fiscal year report from Japan, referencing a new entry-level crossover.

Launched in late 2014, the existing CX-3 feels dated. Mazda phased it out in the U.S. and Europe in 2021 to introduce the CX-30, yet it persists in select markets. Now, a successor heads to production in Thailand.

The Rayong facility, Auto Alliance Thailand (AAT), a Mazda-Ford partnership operational since 1995, has assembled over four million vehicles. The new CX-3 will serve beyond Thailand, with exports targeted at Japan and neighboring Southeast Asian nations.

Photo by: Mazda

Specifics on the upcoming CX-3 are limited, though Mazda promises an electrified variant without detailing the hybrid system. The platform question lingers, given the current one's age. A mild refresh seems plausible, mirroring the CX-5's 2026 update.

No official images accompany the news, but last year's Japan Mobility Show featured the Vision X-Compact concept. This tiny hatchback hinted at future small vehicles like the next Mazda2, and a crossover version aligns closely with CX-3 expectations.

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The 2027 CX-3 positions Mazda to dominate the mass-market segment, though global availability appears unlikely. The CX-30 should anchor SUV entries elsewhere, with the CX-3 tailored for Asia.

Mazda sticks with the CX-3 badge over rumors of a CX-20 rename seen in Japanese media. Critics suggest CX-20 fits the naming convention better, but plans indicate continuity unless a distinct model emerges elsewhere.

2025 Mazda Vision X-Compact concept

24 images

Source: Mazda

Our Perspective: SUV fatigue affects many, but Mazda sees value in a CX-3 revival next to the CX-30. Business-wise, it targets budget-conscious buyers avoiding the CX-30's higher price.