Hands up if you're a member of that dwindling proportion of the population still slumming it in a low slung hatchback or saloon. What no one?

Probably just as well because here we have the Mazda MX-30, another competitor in the increasingly congested compact suv segment. its name might suggest that it sits above the medium-sized CX-5 but it is, in fact, based on the Mazda 3 which means it's perfectly proportioned for urban life.

So let's find out exactly how well it does cope with life in the city and beyond.

There's plenty of adjustment in the seat and steering wheel which means that drivers of any size should have no trouble getting comfortable behind the wheel. There's even a tilt adjustment for the front seat bases which helps provide under thigh support.

Adjustable lumbar support is only available on the top two trim levels and, if you're looking for a car with the SUV-typical raised driving position prepare to be disappointed, you’ll struggle to notice the difference between the CX-30 and the 3.

The A-pillars are on the thick side and obscure the view a little when you're trying to exit junctions. The rear pillars are a little more forgiving but the relatively small rear windscreen and rear side windows impair the view out the back and over your shoulder.

Rear parking sensors are standard across the range, while front sensors and a rear view camera are fitted on all but the entry level trim. On top-of-the-range models a bird’s eye view camera, which gives you a top down view of the car, is available to give you a better picture of your surroundings while manoeuvring.

The instrument binnacle is home to part digital dials. The limited in their flexibility compared to fully digital displays but are crisp clear and easy to read. More beneficial is the head up display that puts useful information like speed and sat nav instructions directly in your line of sight.

The 8.8in infotainment display is not, I repeat not, a touch screen. Instead there's a Rotary controller mounted on the tunnel between the seats. There are handy shortcut buttons flanking it. The screen itself sits in a small recess right on top of the dashboard meaning that you don't have to divert your gaze too far from the straight ahead to read it.

The Rotary controller makes using the infotainment system a doddle to use on the move and the software is intuitive and responsive.

All models are equipped with DAB radio, Bluetooth, sat NAV as well as apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring. An eight-speaker sound system is included as standard, and is more than adequate, but in higher trims a more powerful 12 speaker Bose system is available.

Where the CX-30 does score well is its inclusion of manual controls for both adjusting the air conditioning and audio system which means you'll rarely have to take your eyes off the road to use either.

Where the CX-30 scores exceptionally well is in the best quality of its interior. There are soft, squishy, tactile materials in evidence everywhere. There’s lots of faux leather, too, that's available in a choice or two colours. You also get splashes of attractive Chrome trim dotted around giving the cabin a classy feel.

All the switchgear, stalks and knobs operate with a satisfying action and feel well made and expertly assembled. It's only, perhaps, the top of the infotainment controller that looks a little cheap but it is still satisfying to use.

There's lots of room in the front and, thanks to seats that slide along way back, even very tall people will be happy with the space on offer. There's plenty of elbow room as well.

Those same passengers won't be as happy in the back however, particularly if they're sitting behind a tall driver when leg room will be in short supply. The car is wide enough to squeeze 3 adults in across the rear bench in reasonable comfort but the two outermost passengers might find their heads brushing the roof lining. On the plus side the middle passenger isn't forced to straddle a big hump in the centre of the floor.

The small rear windows can make things feel a little claustrophobic in the back too.

there's a reasonable amount of storage with a pair of cup holders in front of the gear selector, a small cubby in front of that for your loose change [for those few of us still wandering around with cash in our pockets] and good sized door pockets with bottle holders. There's also a decent-sized space underneath the front central armrest.

Boot space it is slightly disappointing 430 litres which is below class average. Offering just a 60/40 split, there’s not a great deal a flexibility when you want to increase luggage capacity. You do though get a variable height boot floor as standard on SE-L trim and above, while a powered tailgate is standard on Sport Lux trim and above.

Rather than downsizing and fitting turbochargers Mazda are sticking with naturally-aspirated 2.0-litre petrol units. They come in two flavours – Skyactiv-G and Skyactiv-X – and it’s the latter version that’s powering my all-wheel-drive Mazda3.

It features a technology that Mazda calls Spark Controlled Compression Ignition and it allows the engine to switch seamlessly between conventional spark compression and combustion ignition. It allows the engine to run a lean fuel mixture under a light load – and therefore improving both fuel economy and emissions – but still deliver plenty of power when needed.

Efficiency should be further improved thanks to the integration of a 24v mild hybrid system that stores energy harvested under braking and uses that to drive an electric motor to assist the engine during heavy loads.

The absence of a turbocharger is telling, particularly low down where the Mazda lacks the flexibility of its forced induction-engined rivals however, thanks to the mild hybrid system which gives you a little boost from standstill, the CX-30 doesn't suffer from any sluggishness in its response to a press of the accelerator.

The suspension is quite firm, so if you’re after a supple, cosseting ride you would be better served looking elsewhere. It doesn’t isolate passengers from sharp edges and broken surfaces as well as the best of its rivals but in return you get a welcome level of composure along undulating roads.

The firm set-up should, in theory, also translate into sweeter handling and recent history tells us that Mazda certainly possess the wherewithal, and the desire, to put their cars close to the top of the class in this particular category.

In the dry you’ll find a decent level of grip at the front as you turn in and sweeping through a series of bends reveals a good degree of agility and well-contained body roll. It doesn’t require much prompting, however, for the front end to start to run wide, even with the benefits that sending drive through all four wheels brings.

The steering has some vagueness about the centre that shows itself when you’re trying to keep the car on the straight and narrow along motorways and dual carriageways, and there’s a lethargy when start to turn the wheel. Once you’ve escaped that brief phase, however, it feels precise and nicely-weighted.

It’s quiet inside, even at motorway speeds, with both wind and road noise very well suppressed. The Skyactiv-X engine can be a little coarse when pressed, with a patter that’s reminiscent of a diesel but, that’s not a surprise, given the technology behind it.

The clutch and accelerator have a consistent weight to them and the short-throw six-speed manual gearbox is an absolute gem. It is slick, precise and has a satisfying click when you select a new ratio.

The CX-30 is well built, handles well and boasts low CO2 emissions. The rear seats are cramped, the boot is small and the lack of a turbocharger means that the engines need to be worked hard to extract maximum performance. What it does do is offer a premium product at a not so premium price.

Mazda CX-30 2.0 186ps AWD GT Sport Tech