Mazda’s small CX-3 SUV remains our most popular light SUV, the long-standing
model continues to grow year on year. Mazda have just refreshed the range for
2025, dropping the entry Sport model, the reshuffle seeing the most affordable
CX-3 rise by $3,420. The CX-3 Pure grade now opening the 2025 range at $30,370
plus on-road costs, a rise of $920. The CX-3 has been around in much the same
guise now for around 10 years, it’s an oldie but a goodie, a model I’ve always
highly regarded and despite its age sales last year lifted by 17 percent, and it
remains Mazda’s second-best seller. The new entry Pure grade gains some new
features – adaptive cruise control, larger 18-inch alloy wheels replacing 16’s and
new higher speed active Autonomous emergency braking. I’m David Berthon

Mazda&rsquo;s small CX-3 SUV remains our most popular light SUV, the long-standing model continues to grow year on year. Mazda have just refreshed the range for 2025, dropping the entry Sport model, the reshuffle seeing the most affordable CX-3 rise by $3,420. The CX-3 Pure grade now opening the 2025 range at $30,370 plus on-road costs, a rise of $920. The CX-3 has been around in much the same guise now for around 10 years, it&rsquo;s an oldie but a goodie, a model I&rsquo;ve always highly regarded and despite its age sales last year lifted by 17 percent, and it remains Mazda&rsquo;s second-best seller. The new entry Pure grade gains some new features &ndash; adaptive cruise control, larger 18-inch alloy wheels replacing 16&rsquo;s and new higher speed active Autonomous emergency braking. I&rsquo;m David Berthon

A weekly show with all the latest information and news in the motoring industry. Hosted by 2GB's very own motoring corespondent David Berthon. 

For more engaging content visit the 2GB website, or listen live to 2GB 873.

A weekly show with all the latest information and news in the motoring industry. Hosted by 2GB's very own motoring corespondent David Berthon.&nbsp;
For more engaging content visit the 2GB website, or listen live to 2GB 873.

Motor Torque with David Berthon

A weekly show with all the latest information and news in the motoring industry. Hosted by 2GB's very own motoring corespondent David Berthon. 

For more engaging content visit the 2GB website, or listen live to 2GB 873 

A weekly show with all the latest information and news in the motoring industry. Hosted by 2GB's very own motoring corespondent David Berthon.&nbsp;
For more engaging content visit the 2GB website, or listen live to 2GB 873&nbsp;

Mazda refreshes its popular small CX-3 SUV for 2025 but it comes at a price

Over the Xmas break I drove the top line Genesis GV80 AWD SUV with 3.5-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 linked to an 8-speed automatic and limited slip rear differential. Now at around $135,000 drive-away it jumps off the mark with strong performance despite a rather hefty weight, feels absolutely bulletproof, super quiet and despite its dimensions shrinks around you when pushed hard thanks to its road preview electronic adaptive suspension. This sophisticated suspension was refined last year to delete pitch on rough surfaces with a less figidity ride. Safety wise, 10 airbags in total but disappointingly, the head airbags don’t extend to the third-row seats. The luxury equipment extensive, a recent mid-life update saw the price climb however a previous $10,500 option pack including heated and ventilated rear seats, power rear door shades, 3 zone climate control, and a Nappa leather appointed interior is now standard. Quality and fit and finish as good if not better than the dearer top-class German SUV’s. Genesis owner support impressive - a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, five-years complimentary servicing including valet pick-up and return, 10-year 24/7 roadside assistance and 10-year map updates. The wagon version tested here was joined earlier this year by a more sporty looking Coupe. I’m David Berthon

Over the Xmas break I drove the top line Genesis GV80 AWD SUV with 3.5-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 linked to an 8-speed automatic and limited slip rear differential. Now at around $135,000 drive-away it jumps off the mark with strong performance despite a rather hefty weight, feels absolutely bulletproof, super quiet and despite its dimensions shrinks around you when pushed hard thanks to its road preview electronic adaptive suspension. This sophisticated suspension was refined last year to delete pitch on rough surfaces with a less figidity ride. Safety wise, 10 airbags in total but disappointingly, the head airbags don&rsquo;t extend to the third-row seats. The luxury equipment extensive, a recent mid-life update saw the price climb however a previous $10,500 option pack including heated and ventilated rear seats, power rear door shades, 3 zone climate control, and a Nappa leather appointed interior is now standard. Quality and fit and finish as good if not better than the dearer top-class German SUV&rsquo;s. Genesis owner support impressive - a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, five-years complimentary servicing including valet pick-up and return, 10-year 24/7 roadside assistance and 10-year map updates. The wagon version tested here was joined earlier this year by a more sporty looking Coupe. I&rsquo;m David Berthon

Genesis’s flagship GV80 SUV more than a match for the top class Germans

Talking Hyundai’s luxury brand Genesis today, the flagship GV80 SUV which
now also comes in a rather sporting looking coupe version. However, I’ve just
driven the recently updated 3.5-litre twin-turbo petrol GV80 seven-seat all-wheel-
drive SUV, at around $135,000 drive-away with an 8-speed torque automatic. The
GV80 oozes quality and refinement, the body feels bullet proof, superbly
insulated, and exquisitely detailed. Joining the upper echelon of motoring
Genesis knew they had to build something rather special, loaded with luxury
features and standout quality. I covered some long distances over the holiday
break and cruising at the open road limit achieved 8.3 L/100km – impressive for
such a large SUV. The GV80 has what Genesis call a road preview electronic
control suspension – using a forward camera to scour the road surface ahead for
undulations and potholes, it then adjusts the damping force accordingly. Genesis
may not yet match the badge cachet or sales of Mercedes and BMW’s large SUV’s
but in terms of quality, refinement and fit and finish this South Korean brand is up
there with the very best - just so impressive in all it does and offering a cost
saving over the German competition in the process. Only real disappointment –
the lack of a spare wheel. I’m David Berthon

Talking Hyundai&rsquo;s luxury brand Genesis today, the flagship GV80 SUV which now also comes in a rather sporting looking coupe version. However, I&rsquo;ve just driven the recently updated 3.5-litre twin-turbo petrol GV80 seven-seat all-wheel- drive SUV, at around $135,000 drive-away with an 8-speed torque automatic. The GV80 oozes quality and refinement, the body feels bullet proof, superbly insulated, and exquisitely detailed. Joining the upper echelon of motoring Genesis knew they had to build something rather special, loaded with luxury features and standout quality. I covered some long distances over the holiday break and cruising at the open road limit achieved 8.3 L/100km &ndash; impressive for such a large SUV. The GV80 has what Genesis call a road preview electronic control suspension &ndash; using a forward camera to scour the road surface ahead for undulations and potholes, it then adjusts the damping force accordingly. Genesis may not yet match the badge cachet or sales of Mercedes and BMW&rsquo;s large SUV&rsquo;s but in terms of quality, refinement and fit and finish this South Korean brand is up there with the very best - just so impressive in all it does and offering a cost saving over the German competition in the process. Only real disappointment &ndash; the lack of a spare wheel. I&rsquo;m David Berthon

Genesis’s 3.5-litre twin-turbo all-wheel-drive GV80 SUV flagship

As a long-standing car enthusiast, I was interested in a recent U.S. survey by the
auction house Hagerty. For some time now it has been thought the love of the
automobile evident with older generations would die off moving forward.
However, the survey found the Gen-Z generation, those born between 1997 and
2012, had a significantly greater interest in owning a classic car of example than
Baby Boomers born between 1946 and 1964. The ‘Future of Driving Survey
quizzed Americans about the role that cars play in their life, their behaviours tied
to cars and driving, the role of new cars and a lot more. Contrary to what was
previously thought, driving is alive and well, 77 percent of Gen-Z respondents
saying they either loved or liked driving, indicating a promising future for the car.
Motoring it seems is alive and well. I’m David Berthon

As a long-standing car enthusiast, I was interested in a recent U.S. survey by the auction house Hagerty. For some time now it has been thought the love of the automobile evident with older generations would die off moving forward. However, the survey found the Gen-Z generation, those born between 1997 and 2012, had a significantly greater interest in owning a classic car of example than Baby Boomers born between 1946 and 1964. The &lsquo;Future of Driving Survey quizzed Americans about the role that cars play in their life, their behaviours tied to cars and driving, the role of new cars and a lot more. Contrary to what was previously thought, driving is alive and well, 77 percent of Gen-Z respondents saying they either loved or liked driving, indicating a promising future for the car. Motoring it seems is alive and well. I&rsquo;m David Berthon

Mazda refreshes its popular small CX-3 SUV for 2025 but it comes at a price

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