While some manufacturers have gone for pumped up, beefy versions of their standard models, others have decided that downright quirky or even unusual is a way to attract potential customers to downsize from the larger SUV or move up from smaller saloon cars. With Mazda, though, it is immediately clear they’ve gone for power, style and elegance with their all-new CX-3.

Based on the same KODO Soul of Motion design as the recently launched Mazda 2, the family resemblance is immediate, its swept back profile giving it a sporty coupe look, it still offers a commanding view of the road favoured by SUV drivers looking to downsize without too much of a compromise.
And to prove the adage looks are not everything, the CX-3 reveals much more than a shapely chassis, sharp lines and sweeping A pillars - It is roomy, quick and handles like a dream.
I drove the 105ps 2WD Sport Nav diesel, the 120ps 2WD SE Nav auto and the 120ps, SE-L Nav and were impressed with each of them. The Sport Nav manual diesel, with its neat head-up display system was a fine introduction to the new look CX-3 as was the auto petrol, which for its part required a more gentle foot on the gas to coax out smoother gear changes on acceleration.
The one which stood out for me above the rest was the SE-L Nav. Like the others, it feels perfectly at home in busy city centres, coping easily in traffic and is just as comfortable on dual carriageways and motorways.
But the SE-L Nav excels beyond expectation through winding country roads. With the manual gearbox and lighter feel than the diesel, 60mph arrives in nine seconds from a standing start, it comes into its own driving through tight corners and awkward cambers, effortlessly dealing with all kinds of tricky road conditions without fuss or hesitation with solid and direct steering.
From a practical point of view there is good all round visibility and the seats are exceptionally comfortable - the optional black and stone coloured leather trim of the Sport Nav model added a look and feel of luxury.
The dashboard continues the swish, yet simple lines and compliments the whole stylish appearance. Instruments are all easily at hand and a multifunction steering wheel comes as standard.
Safety, has not been forgotten, of course, with a full complement of airbags, hill hold assist as standard and a lane departure warning system and Smart City Brake Support on the SE-L and Sport Nav models.
If I was really nit-picking the centre console appears to be an afterthought, the cabin lacks cubby holes and 6ft plus rear passengers would feel a little uncomfortable over a distance due to the low sweep of the roof.
There is a variety of 11 petrol and seven diesel models offering front-wheel drive or the new generation all-wheel drive system across the SE, SE Nav, SE-L, SE-L Nav and Sports Nav grades. Combined fuel consumption is from 44.1mpg to 70.6mpg across the range.
Extras depend on the model grade, but a 7-inch colour touchscreen, DAB radio and Bluetooth come as standard in all models which range in price from £17,595 to £24,695 on the road.
For more about the CX-3 and the rest of the Mazda range go to www.mazda.co.uk