New Mazda CX-3 2020 detailed: Will Australia get the 1.5-litre petrol engine as a more affordable Hyundai Venue rival?

Mazda will slot a 1.5-litre petrol engine into its CX-3 light SUV, which will go on sales international in July.

Australia however, will miss out on the smaller engine CX-3, instead sticking to the sole 110kW/195Nm 2.0-litre petrol engine already on sale.

Mazda has not revealed the outputs of the 1.5-litre engine in the CX-3, but it is likely the same unit found in the Mazda2 as both models share the same platform, meaning the crossover should punch out 82kW/144Nm.

The less potent output, as well as similar fuel economy to the 2.0-litre engine (5.8-6.4 litres per 100km vs 6.3-6.7L/100km respectively), are likely factors in the decision to pass on the six-speed automatic 1.5-litre CX-3.

Last year, Mazda Australia also rationalised its CX-3 line-up, ditching the 85kW/270Nm 1.8-litre turbo-diesel due to slow sales.

In addition to the new engine, the updated CX-3 also scores a new ‘Polymetal Gray Metallic’ exterior paint option, which is more likely to come Down Under.

Mazda’s CX-3 currently kicks off at $22,710 before on-road costs and tops out at $38,450, while it has reached 4106 new registrations so far in 2020 making it the top-selling light SUV.