Compact CX-3 SUV has pretty perfect package

It's the fastest growing area of the new car market and, while it's highly competitive, manufacturers ignore it at their peril.

Such vehicles are usually based on family hatchbacks but with off-roader style bodies (although many are two wheel drive only).

The advantages are clearly a bit more room, a higher driving position, and a higher 'hip height' on the seats for easier access and exit: like a more traditional 4x4 but with a lower price and lower running costs.

Some say the trend was inspired by Nissan's Juke, one of the current market leaders, but it may go further back than that to the introduction of what were intended as budget, two wheel drive only versions of vehicles such as the Toyota RAV4.

But unlike some trends there's a considerable element of practicality here which means it is likely to stick. Mazda expect three-quarters of CX-3 buyers to be trading up from a more mundane family hatch, while others will be motorists 'downsizing' to cut their running costs.

Prices start from £17,595 up to £24,695 and there are no less than 11 petrol and seven diesel variants from the word go, and unlike some competitors there are three flagship models which have four wheel drive.

The CX-3 is based on the Mazda2 hatchback, not a bad place to start as the new hatchback was only launched three months ago and has already won Car Dealer Power 'Car of the Year' title. But the CX-3 is longer, wider and has significantly more boot space.

Practical considerations aside, it also gets Mazda's familiar 'kodo' design treatment, with some cheeky curves and creases.

It drives well, too, something which has become a feature of Mazdas since the company perfected its 'SKYACTIV' technology, now the basis of all its cars. Essentially, it's about saving weight in the engine, chassis and body for performance and economy, while using stronger materials to make the cars stiffer and safer but more responsive.

Cornering on a test drive was quick and sure, with body roll well controlled with even the lowest-powered version (the 105bhp diesel) easily coping with the steep slopes and pulling away from the more acute bends in a pleasantly relaxed manner.

The steering is light and responsive and the six-speed gear box smooth and positive, contributing to the feeling that you're driving nothing larger or less agile than a 'warm' hatchback.

It doesn't have the outright power of the alternative two-litre petrol engines, but it does have more torque from a low 1.600rpm so it's well suited to easy, even lazy progress with a minimum of gear changes.

Straight out of the Mazda2, this 1.5 litre turbo diesel's economy, as well as keeping down your bills at the pumps, means its CO2 rating is a modest 105g/km, so your road tax (Band B) and (if it's a company car) BIK liability won't break the bank, either.

Prices for this version start at £18,940, but if you feel the need for four wheel drive the same engine also powers two of the flagship versions, one manual and one automatic, at £23,340 and £24,510 respectively.

In manual, two wheel drive only versions it's pretty nippy with a 0 to 62mph sprint time of 10.1 seconds.

There are two petrol versions, with outputs of either 120 for two-wheel drive and or 150PS for four-wheel drive from the same two-litre unit. Their figures are 0 to 62mph in 8.7 and nine seconds respectively. Official fuel and emissions figures are 47.9mpg (136g/km) and 44.1mpg (150g/km) respectively. The 150PS version's figures are impressive for a four wheel drive, since it uses a relatively light 'on demand' system to restore traction and stability only when it senses the front wheels starting to slip.

Mazda admit the new CX-3 isn't the cheapest model among a selection of rivals, but are banking on the car's premium feel and high levels of standard equipment to tip the balance in its favour.

It's the little things which make the difference and on the flagship Sport Nav versions you get a head-up display. Your speed and a basic, block diagram satnav instruction are projected onto a rectangle of perspex on top of the instrument cluster and right in the driver's eye line. To me it's a convenience and safety feature, meaning you never have to look down and take your eyes off the road.

The centre console is dominated by a colour touch screen for controlling the audio, handsfree phone and (where fitted) navigation systems, with a separate command dial between the seats as well so both driver and passenger have equal access.The multifunction trip computer in front of the driver can display a whole range of information controlled by a thumb on the steering wheel spoke buttons.

It seats five in comfort, and there's a larger, cargo area of 305 litres. With the rear seats down, that increases to 1,260 litres.

Safety is paramount for a family car so the CX-3 comes with front, side and curtain airbags for those in the front, plus curtain airbags to protect passengers in the back.

There is an array of electronic safety systems, ABS, traction and stability programs, tyre pressure monitoring and hill hold assist as standard. Higher spec versions also have smart city brake and lane departure warning devices. All versions have a stereo DAB radio, CD and MP3 audio system, with two USB inputs and Bluetooth. The base model gets manual air conditioning, with automatic climate control on higher grade versions.

Electric windows, alloy wheels and heated, folding door mirrors are also standard while further up the range you can get a whole lot more.

By the time the latest MX-5 two-seater hits our roads in the autumn, Mazda will have launched five new models in under a year.

This latest compact SUV is being sent out into the what is currently the toughest, but potentially most rewarding, section of the market. Yet Mazda has reason for a quiet confidence because it has something of a heritage: the new Mazda6, Mazda3 and Mazda2 have proved the value of its SKYACTIV design principles in creating cars which perform and handle well, yet in fuel,emissions and tax terms they won't make even the most frugal motorist wince.

Added to that, the CX-3 has the sort of sporty good looks which always seem to appeal to the British car buyer.

By John Griffiths