Mazda CX-3 Towing Capacity (All Years 2015-2026)

The Mazda CX-3 is a subcompact crossover SUV introduced globally in 2015 for the 2016 model year. It rides on the same SkyActiv platform as the third-generation Mazda2. The CX-3 was sold in North America from 2016 through 2021, in Canada through 2022, and continues in production for markets including Australia, Asia, and the Middle East through the 2026 model year.

Towing capacity for the Mazda CX-3 depends on the market region, engine type, and whether the vehicle is equipped with a genuine tow bar. This guide provides year-by-year towing specifications for Australian and European market vehicles, where the CX-3 carries official manufacturer tow ratings. North American models are not rated for towing by Mazda. Operating within manufacturer-specified towing limits protects the engine, transmission, and braking systems.

2026 Mazda CX-3 Towing Capacity

The 2026 Mazda CX-3 continues unchanged from the 2025 model year. Only the 2.0L SkyActiv-G petrol engine is offered. The diesel engine option remains discontinued across all markets. All variants use a six-speed automatic transmission with front-wheel drive.

The 2026 Mazda CX-3 offers a maximum braked towing capacity of 1,200 kg when equipped with the 2.0L petrol engine and a genuine Mazda tow bar. Unbraked capacity varies slightly by trim, with Akari variants rated at 675 kg and other trims at 655 kg. The diesel engine is no longer offered, eliminating the previous 800 kg diesel tow rating from earlier model years.

2025 Mazda CX-3 Towing Capacity

The 2025 Mazda CX-3 retains the same powertrain and towing specifications as the 2024 model. Towing capacity is identical across all four trim grades: Pure, Evolve, GT SP, and Akari. A genuine Mazda tow bar kit is required to achieve the rated capacity.

The 2025 Mazda CX-3 provides a maximum braked towing capacity of 1,200 kg with its 2.0L petrol engine. The unbraked rating remains 640 kg. The genuine Mazda tow bar kit, part number DKACTB1, includes the tow bar, trailer wiring harness, and chrome tow ball.

2024 Mazda CX-3 Towing Capacity

The 2024 Mazda CX-3 introduced a small adjustment to unbraked towing capacity on select trims. Braked capacity remained at 1,200 kg for petrol variants. Diesel engines were no longer available in most markets by this model year.

The 2024 Mazda CX-3 maintains a 1,200 kg braked towing capacity across all petrol variants. Unbraked capacity differs between trims, with higher-spec Akari models achieving 675 kg and base models rated at 640 kg. The genuine Mazda tow bar limits tongue weight to 50 kg.

2023 Mazda CX-3 Towing Capacity

The 2023 Mazda CX-3 continued with the 2.0L petrol engine as the sole powertrain option in most markets. Towing specifications remained consistent with the 2022 model year. All variants require the genuine Mazda tow bar kit for trailer towing.

The 2023 Mazda CX-3 delivers a maximum braked towing capacity of 1,200 kg with the petrol engine. Unbraked towing is limited to 640 kg. Trailer brakes are required on at least one axle for any trailer exceeding the unbraked limit.

2022 Mazda CX-3 Towing Capacity

The 2022 Mazda CX-3 marked the final model year for the vehicle in Canada. In other markets such as Australia, the CX-3 continued with the 2.0L petrol engine. Diesel variants were being phased out in most regions by this time.

The 2022 Mazda CX-3 offers consistent 1,200 kg braked and 640 kg unbraked towing capacity across all petrol variants. All trims including Maxx, Maxx Sport, and Akari share the same towing specifications. The towing capacity applies only when the genuine Mazda tow bar kit is installed.

2021 Mazda CX-3 Towing Capacity

The 2021 Mazda CX-3 was the final model year sold in the United States and Europe. In Australia and other continuing markets, both petrol and diesel engine options remained available. Towing capacity differs significantly between the two fuel types.

The 2021 Mazda CX-3 petrol achieves a maximum braked towing capacity of 1,200 kg, while the 1.8L diesel is restricted to 800 kg braked. The diesel towing limitation stems from thermal management constraints under sustained load. The diesel engine produces more torque at 270 Nm, but the smaller engine capacity and intercooler heat rejection limit its tow rating in hot climate conditions.

2020 Mazda CX-3 Towing Capacity

The 2020 Mazda CX-3 continued with both petrol and diesel powertrains in markets where the diesel was offered. The 1.8L diesel had fully replaced the earlier 1.5L diesel by this model year.

The 2020 Mazda CX-3 maintains a split towing capacity of 1,200 kg for petrol and 800 kg for diesel variants. The genuine Mazda tow bar kit limits download force to 50 kg on the tow ball. Mazda advises against towing during the first 1,000 km of vehicle operation to prevent drivetrain damage.

2019 Mazda CX-3 Towing Capacity

The 2019 Mazda CX-3 received a facelift that included the introduction of the 1.8L SkyActiv-D diesel engine, replacing the earlier 1.5L diesel. Towing capacity for the new diesel remained at 800 kg braked. Petrol towing capacity stayed at 1,200 kg.

The 2019 Mazda CX-3 petrol engine achieves 1,200 kg braked towing capacity. The newly introduced 1.8L diesel engine, despite producing 270 Nm of torque compared to the petrol engine’s 195 Nm, is limited to 800 kg braked. Mazda attributes this to cooling system limitations when the turbocharged diesel operates under sustained high load in hot ambient temperatures.

2018 Mazda CX-3 Towing Capacity

The 2018 Mazda CX-3 offered both the 2.0L petrol and the 1.5L diesel engine. Some variants with all-wheel drive and the diesel engine carried lower towing ratings. The facelift arriving later in 2018 brought the 1.8L diesel.

The 2018 Mazda CX-3 carries a maximum braked towing capacity of 1,200 kg for petrol variants and 800 kg for diesel variants. Some AWD diesel configurations were rated as low as 800 kg braked. The unbraked towing limit is 640 kg across all configurations. The owner’s manual specifies a maximum towing speed of 100 km/h with a trailer attached.

2017 Mazda CX-3 Towing Capacity

The 2017 Mazda CX-3 continued with the same powertrain options and towing specifications as the 2016 model year. No changes to towing capacity were introduced for this year.

The 2017 Mazda CX-3 provides a maximum braked towing capacity of 1,200 kg with the petrol engine and 800 kg with the 1.5L diesel. Trailer brakes are mandatory when the trailer weight exceeds the unbraked limit. Mazda requires that trailer lighting systems be connected through a properly isolated wiring harness, not directly to the vehicle’s lighting circuit.

2016 Mazda CX-3 Towing Capacity

The 2016 Mazda CX-3 launched globally with two engine options. Towing capacity varied by engine choice and drivetrain configuration. The vehicle was officially rated for towing in Australia, Europe, and select Asian markets from launch.

The 2016 Mazda CX-3 established the towing capacity range that carried through the entire production run. Petrol FWD variants achieve 1,200 kg braked capacity. Some petrol AWD variants with the Safety package were rated at 800 kg braked due to the additional weight of the AWD system reducing available payload and thermal margin. The 1.5L diesel is universally limited to 800 kg braked. Mazda cited Australia’s hot climate and the turbo-diesel’s cooling demands as the reason for the lower diesel rating.

2015 Mazda CX-3 Towing Capacity

The 2015 Mazda CX-3 launched in Japan and select Asian markets before rolling out globally. Initial towing ratings were published for the Australian market, where the vehicle went on sale in the first half of 2015.

The 2015 Mazda CX-3 debuted with a maximum braked towing capacity of 1,200 kg for petrol models. The 1.5L diesel was limited to 800 kg braked from the outset. Mazda stated at launch that the diesel towing restriction was due to thermal management concerns: the small-capacity turbocharged engine generates substantial heat under sustained load, and the front-mounted intercooler adds additional heat load to the cooling system.

North American Market Towing Information

Mazda sold the CX-3 in the United States from the 2016 through 2021 model years. Canadian sales ended after the 2022 model year. In both markets, Mazda officially states that the CX-3 is not designed for trailer towing.

The US-market owner’s manual contains the following warning: “Do not tow a trailer with this vehicle. Towing a trailer with this vehicle is dangerous because it has not been designed to tow a trailer and doing so will affect the drive system which could result in vehicle damage.” No factory tow bar or trailer wiring harness was offered through Mazda dealerships in North America.

Despite the manufacturer’s position, aftermarket Class I trailer hitches are available for the CX-3 from suppliers such as Curt and Draw-Tite. These hitches typically carry a 200 lb tongue weight rating and a 2,000 lb gross trailer weight rating. Some owners use these hitches to tow small utility trailers and lightweight loads. However, doing so is outside manufacturer specifications and may affect warranty coverage.

Key weight specifications for North American CX-3 models include a curb weight ranging from 2,809 lbs (1,274 kg) for FWD models to 2,952 lbs (1,339 kg) for AWD models. Gross Vehicle Weight Rating ranges from 3,840 lbs (1,742 kg) to 3,990 lbs (1,810 kg). Payload capacity ranges from 1,031 lbs (468 kg) to 1,038 lbs (471 kg). These figures are relevant for calculating whether any added hitch and trailer load would exceed the vehicle’s GVWR.

Towing Equipment and Setup Requirements

The Mazda CX-3 requires specific equipment for safe trailer towing. All rated towing capacities assume the use of a genuine Mazda tow bar and a trailer with functioning brakes on at least one axle.

Genuine Mazda Tow Bar Kit

The factory tow bar kit, part number DKACTB1 in Australia, is designed to integrate with the CX-3 chassis. It includes the tow bar assembly, trailer wiring harness, chrome tow ball, and tow ball cover. The kit limits maximum tongue weight to 50 kg. The tow bar is compatible with models from 2017 onward. Installation requires a slight modification to the rear bumper. On vehicles equipped with Smart City Brake Support, a specific tail harness is required to ensure the system deactivates appropriately when a trailer is connected.

Trailer Brake Requirements

The Mazda CX-3 owner’s manual specifies that trailer brakes are required on at least one axle when the loaded trailer weight exceeds the unbraked towing limit. For petrol models, this means any trailer over 640 kg (or 655-675 kg on later trims) must have functioning brakes. For diesel models, the unbraked limit is 640 kg. The CX-3 does not come with an integrated trailer brake controller. An aftermarket proportional brake controller must be fitted if the trailer uses electric brakes.

Trailer Wiring

The CX-3 lighting system must not be connected directly to a trailer’s wiring. A properly isolated wiring harness with a powered module is required to prevent overloading the vehicle’s electrical system. The genuine Mazda kit includes this wiring. Aftermarket solutions such as the Tekonsha Modulite system draw power directly from the battery and plug into the factory tail light connectors.

Tongue Weight

Tongue weight must not exceed 50 kg (110 lbs) with the genuine Mazda tow bar. For stable towing dynamics, tongue weight should represent approximately 10 percent of total trailer weight. This creates a practical tension between the tongue weight limit and the maximum braked capacity, as 10 percent of a 1,200 kg trailer equals 120 kg, which exceeds the 50 kg rating. Operators must load trailers carefully to keep tongue weight within the 50 kg limit while maintaining stability.

Towing Speed and Operation

Mazda specifies a maximum speed of 100 km/h when towing with the CX-3. If local speed limits for towing are lower, the legal limit takes precedence. The owner’s manual advises against towing during the first 1,000 km of the vehicle’s break-in period. Towing a trailer increases demands on the engine cooling system, transmission, and brakes. More frequent fluid checks are recommended.

Tire Pressures

Tire pressures should be increased to the maximum listed on the tire sidewall when towing at or near maximum capacity. The Tire and Loading Information label on the driver’s door jamb provides standard pressure recommendations. Under-inflated tires generate excessive heat and increase the risk of failure under the added weight of trailer towing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the maximum towing capacity of a Mazda CX-3?

The maximum braked towing capacity of the Mazda CX-3 is 1,200 kg (2,645 lbs). This rating applies to petrol 2.0L SkyActiv-G models equipped with a genuine Mazda tow bar. Diesel CX-3 variants are limited to 800 kg (1,764 lbs) braked regardless of the diesel engine size.

How much can a Mazda CX-3 tow without trailer brakes?

The Mazda CX-3 can tow 640 kg (1,411 lbs) unbraked for most model years and trim levels. Later model high-spec Akari variants from 2024 onward have an unbraked capacity of 675 kg (1,488 lbs). Any trailer exceeding the unbraked limit requires functioning brakes on at least one axle.

Can a Mazda CX-3 tow a caravan?

The Mazda CX-3 can tow a lightweight micro caravan or camper trailer weighing up to 1,200 kg when properly equipped. However, the 50 kg tongue weight limit restricts compatibility. Most caravans require tongue weight closer to 10 percent of total weight, which would be 120 kg for a 1,200 kg trailer. Operators must verify that the loaded trailer’s tongue weight stays within the 50 kg limit.

Does AWD affect Mazda CX-3 towing capacity?

In some early model years, AWD petrol variants with the Safety package had a reduced braked towing capacity of 800 kg instead of the full 1,200 kg. The additional weight of the AWD system reduced the thermal margin for towing. Later model years standardized the 1,200 kg rating across FWD and AWD petrol variants where AWD was offered.

Why does the diesel Mazda CX-3 tow less than the petrol version?

The diesel CX-3 has a lower towing capacity of 800 kg compared to the petrol’s 1,200 kg due to thermal management limitations. Mazda determined that the small-capacity turbocharged diesel engine generates excessive heat under sustained heavy load. The intercooler mounted in front of the radiator adds further heat load to the cooling system. This is particularly limiting in hot climate conditions.

Is the Mazda CX-3 rated for towing in the United States?

No. Mazda USA explicitly states in the owner’s manual that the CX-3 is not designed for towing and warns against it. The manual states that towing “will affect the drive system which could result in vehicle damage.” No factory tow package was offered for North American CX-3 models.

What is the tongue weight limit on a Mazda CX-3 tow bar?

The genuine Mazda CX-3 tow bar has a maximum tongue weight limit of 50 kg (110 lbs). Aftermarket Class I hitches available for North American models typically carry a 200 lb (91 kg) tongue weight rating, but these are not endorsed by Mazda. Exceeding the tongue weight limit compromises vehicle handling and braking stability.

Can a Mazda CX-3 tow a jet ski or small boat trailer?

Yes, the Mazda CX-3 petrol can tow a jet ski trailer or small boat trailer provided the total loaded trailer weight does not exceed 1,200 kg and tongue weight stays within 50 kg. A single personal watercraft on a lightweight trailer typically falls within this capacity. Trailer brakes are required if the loaded trailer exceeds 640 kg.

Conclusion

The Mazda CX-3 towing capacity ranges from 800 kg to 1,200 kg braked depending on engine choice. The 2.0L SkyActiv-G petrol engine achieves the maximum 1,200 kg rating across all model years from 2015 through 2026. The 1.5L and later 1.8L SkyActiv-D diesel engines are restricted to 800 kg braked due to thermal management constraints under sustained load. Unbraked towing capacity is 640 kg for most variants, increasing slightly to 655 kg or 675 kg on later high-specification trims.

Tongue weight is limited to 50 kg with the genuine Mazda tow bar, which constrains real-world trailer compatibility. The CX-3 is suitable for towing lightweight utility trailers, small boat trailers, personal watercraft, motorcycle trailers, and micro campers. It is not appropriate for towing full-size caravans, horse floats, or heavy enclosed trailers.

North American CX-3 models carry no official tow rating from Mazda. The owner’s manual explicitly warns against towing. Aftermarket hitches exist but are used outside manufacturer specifications.

Always verify towing specifications using the owner’s manual and the vehicle’s compliance label before towing. Manufacturer-rated towing limits exist to protect the engine, transmission, cooling system, and brakes. Exceeding these limits compromises vehicle control and may void warranty coverage.