WATCH: Frugal Mazda has CX appeal

RATHER oddly, Mazda claims that its new CX3 has no natural rivals.

Mazda CX3PH

New Mazda CX3

But given that the small crossover sector has been booming of late, with everything from the Nissan Juke and the Renault Captur to the Peugeot 2008, the reality is that this car probably has more rivals than most.

In fact the combination of car and off-roader majoring on image and personalisation is so popular that even more vehicles will join the class before too long.

With that in mind it’s imperative to look distinctive.

Thankfully this CX3 is based on the stylish new Mazda 2 supermini and looks anything but ordinary.

To our eyes it is a handsome vehicle, recognisable as a Mazda and with well-judged sporting intent.

As with all the latest Mazdas the CX3 receives the Skyactiv range of technologies, which reduces weight to extract further efficiency from petrol and turbo-diesel engines.

Instead of the current trend for downsizing and turbo-charging, Mazda prefers a choice of 2.0-litre petrol engines with 120bhp or 150bhp, the former returning a 0 to 60mph time of 9.0 seconds and a top speed of 119mph while boasting 47.9mpg and emissions of 137g/km.

As well as the standard six-speed manual gearbox the 120bhp is also available with a six-speed automatic gearbox, while the 150bhp version comes with an on-demand four-wheel drive system.

This adds 11 stone to the weight of the car but provides an obvious increase in the traction.

Mazda CX3

Mazda CX3 PH

The price range for the new Mazda is £17,595-£24,695

There is also a 105bhp 1.5-litre turbo-diesel, available with manual or automatic gearbox and two or four-wheel drive.

In its lightest and quickest form that means an entirely adequate 0 to 60mph sprint of 10.1 seconds.

Boasting 70.6mpg (and emissions of 105g/ km) this is undoubtedly the most frugal CX3 and is expected to account for a third of UK sales.

On the road the CX3 is a surprisingly enjoyable drive, some way beyond most of its rivals.

The light, accurate steering works well with a suspension that resists roll and possesses car-like manners.

The trade-off is that you do feel more of the bumps in the road, although it’s never uncomfortable.

The petrol engines pull with decent vigour but they can become rather noisy if you let the revs rise too much so it’s wise to select the next gear earlier than usual.

This isn’t a chore, though, as the precise, enjoyable gearshift has more in common with Mazda’s own MX5 sports car than most crossovers.

That said, the automatic gearbox is a perfectly reasonable alternative.

All in, the CX3 is an appealing car to drive, helped enormously by a cabin that might just surprise in its fit, finish and design.

Mazda has clearly worked hard to justify its ambitious pricing for the CX3 and with contrasting stitching for the leather and tactile materials the impression is of an upmarket product.

Mazda’s MZD infotainment system is smartly integrated and with crisp graphics it dominates the driving environment in a positive way.

The driving position is obviously higher than in a normal car (something often sought after with this type of vehicle) but not so lofty that you feel perched on top of the car.

There’s respectable room in the rear seats too although tall passengers may find headroom is marginal.

At 350 litres the luggage area is fairly average for this class of car, with a load floor that can be positioned either for maximum depth or to line up with the loading lip.

A split rear bench means the boot can be increased to 1,260 litres.

But that is not the only thing that has increased.

With a £17,595 entry-level price Mazda has consciously elected to ignore the base models in the Captur, Juke and Vauxhall Mokka ranges.

However you do get more performance and goodies for your money.

Even the entry-level SE gets an infotainment system with a 7in colour touchscreen, alloy wheels, Bluetooth connectivity, a DAB digital radio and cruise control.

There are five trim levels in total: SE, SE Nav, SE-L, SE-L Nav and Sport Nav, the latter bringing upmarket features such as LED headlamps and a head-up display that projects information into the driver’s line of sight.

At the top end of the pricing structure a Sport Nav four-wheel drive automatic costs £24,695.

Yes, it is a lot of money but the CX3 feels like a car that can justify that level.

Higher spec models also get the latest generation of active safety technology, such as a lane departure system and Mazda’s Smart City Brake Support that can automatically apply the brakes in stop-start traffic.

The CX3 might be pricey before its specification is taken into consideration but this is an impressive new entry into the class.

It is style and the feel-good factor that will sell this car (and it has plenty of that) but it is reassuring for potential buyers that there is genuine substance beneath the fashionable exterior.

Mazda CX3 PH

The Mazda CX3 has a standard six-speed manual gearbox

LOGBOOK LOWDOWN

Model: Mazda CX3

On sale: June

Price range: £17,595-£24,695

Engine range: Petrol – 2.0, 2.0-litre

150bhp. Turbo-diesel – 1.5-litre

Power: 0 to 60mph in 8.7 seconds,

124mph top speed (2.0 150bhp)

Fuel economy: 70.6mpg (1.5TD)

C02 emissions range: 105-15 0 g /km

Rivals : Nissan Juke, Peugeot 2008,

Renault Captur, Vauxhall Mokka

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