Unlike its European twin, which scored just four stars from Euro NCAP, the North American Mazda CX-3 has earned a Top Safety Pick Plus, during the latest crash test session by the IIHS.

The compact crossover was subjected to a variety of rollover and collision tests, scoring a ‘Good’ rating in the five body-structure categories, including the small overlap crash test, which, in the real world, is responsible for approximately 25 percent of traffic fatalities.

Standard features available on the Mazda CX-3 include Blind Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, joined by the Adaptive Front-lighting System, DRLs and head-up display. Customers can also go for the Grand Touring i-ActiveSense package, which adds the Smart City Brake Support, Mazda Radar Cruise Control, High Beam Control System, Lane Departure Warning, auto headlights and rain-sensing wipers.

All Mazda CX-3 models come with the brand’s infotainment system, working together with a 7-inch touchscreen display, and are powered by a 2.0-liter SkyActiv-G engine, rated at 146 HP (148 PS) and 146 pound-feet (198 Nm) of torque.  Output is channeled to either the front or all four wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. Mazda will start taking orders for the 2017 CX-3 from early July. Its starting price remains unchanged over the previous MY, at $19,960, without the $900 destination charge or additional tax and title fees.

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