- Mazda updates the Flair Crossover in Japan with fresh styling and tech.
- The Suzuki Hustler twin gets Mazda emblems of two different sizes.
- Certain trims get a redesigned face, all benefit from improved safety.
Mazda has rolled out a batch of styling and technology changes for the Flair Crossover in Japan, closing the safety gap that had separated it from rivals in the segment. The little Mazda will be unfamiliar to anyone outside the Japanese market, where it lives as a rebadged Suzuki Hustler. That Suzuki went through a near-identical refresh not long ago, which is why the two now move in step.
The dimensions tell you how little space this thing takes up. At 3,395 mm (133.7 in) long, the Flair Crossover is shorter than a Mazda MX-5 Miata (3,915 mm / 154.1 in). It measures 1,475 mm (58.1 in) wide and 1,680 mm (66.1 in) tall, with 2,460 mm (96.9 in) between the axles, dimensions dictated by Japan’s kei car rules.
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The clearest visual change to the tiny crossover sits at the front. On the XG, XS, and XT trims, a far larger grille and Mazda emblem now fill the space between the carry-over round headlights, with a redesigned bumper intake running across to the fog light garnish and the plastic fender extensions.
The more rugged ZS and ZT variants retain the slimmer grille and unpainted plastic bumpers with aluminum-style inserts of the outgoing model, mirroring the Suzuki Hustler Tough Wild. However, they get a much smaller Mazda emblem on the nose, most likely dictated by the new ADAS sensors.
Beyond the badge adjustments, the exterior updates introduce a tough new Woodland Khaki Metallic paint option and fresh two-tone setups. Buyers can pair the Woodland Khaki or the Soft Beige with a brown roof on the XG, XG, an XT trims, or a black roof on the rugged ZS and ZT grades.
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The interior is largely carried over as the focus was the mandatory update of the safety kit. The Mazda Flair Crossover benefits from Suzuki’s upgraded Dual Sensor Brake Support II system as standard, pairing a monocular camera with a millimeter-wave radar. This is said to offer better pedestrian and motorcycle detection, expanding the scope to busy intersections.
The safety net grows further with low-speed forward braking support, front parking sensors, lane-keep assist, a blind-spot monitor, and an adaptive cruise control system with a stop-hold function for heavy traffic.
Other equipment upgrades include the addition of standard folding mirrors with LED indicators, and an electronic parking brake with an auto-hold function, and USB-C ports. Furthermore, all variants besides the entry-level XG come standard with a 9-inch infotainment display with navigation.
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The lineup continues to rely on carry-over mild-hybrid 660cc three-cylinder engines, exclusively paired with a CVT that sends power to the front or all four wheels. The naturally aspirated unit makes 48 hp (36 kW / 49 PS), while the turbocharged version hits the kei ceiling of 63 hp (47 kW / 64 PS).
How Much Does It Cost?
The Mazda Flair Crossover is now available to order in Japan. Pricing opens at ¥1,610,400 (around $9,950 at current rates) for the 2WD XG and tops out at ¥2,275,900 ($14,050) for the turbocharged 4WD ZT. That makes it Mazda’s cheapest crossover or SUV, and alongside its Suzuki sibling, one of the most affordable new cars on sale in the country. It does sit above the Hustler twin across the board though, as the Suzuki runs from ¥1,599,400 to ¥2,097,700 ($9,850 to $12,950).
