Sector: Crossover  Price: £17,595–£24,695 Fuel: 44.1–70.6mpg CO2: 105–150g/km

Having revolutionised the traditional C-segment, it appears the supermini class is next on the radar for manufacturers’ crossover plans. Supermini-derived SUVs are firmly on the development plans for most carmakers in the coming years, set to double 2013’s 400,000 global sales by 2017, and the CX-3 is Mazda’s contender in this expanding market.

Around 38,000 of the 150,000 annual production will come to Europe, of which 5,500 will be sold in the UK, and it’s the latest asset in a constantly evolving product line-up. Linked by its strongest ever visual identity and underpinned by the SKYACTIV Technology package of efficient drivetrains, lightweight construction and driver-focused chassis upgrades, the brand’s rapid renewal has given a well-deserved sales uplift and this will certainly help.

The CX-3 sets out its stall as a driver’s car, based on an extended version of the Mazda2’s chassis but coming in just short of the Mazda3’s overall length. That’s perfect not only for taking on established rivals in the Juke and Mokka, but it’ll enable it to poach buyers upsizing from a supermini as well as those moving from a C-segment hatchback.

It also gives an extra dimension to Mazda’s fleet offering in the UK, though sales are expected to be retail-weighted at launch. Petrol engines, comprising 2.0-litre units with 118 and 148bhp, are forecast to take half of sales and, despite not downsizing and turbocharging like its key competitors, the CX-3 comes close enough on fuel consumption for this not to be an issue. The upside is a lack of lag at low revs.

For fleets, the 1.5-litre diesel engine is the most sensible option, available with front-wheel drive and a manual gearbox in all trim levels. It’s a derivative of the Mazda2’s drivetrain, here tuned to 103bhp, and offers the same wide spread of torque as the 2.2-litre engine used in larger models. With NVH benchmarked against the Mazda3 the CX-3 is also impressively hushed at cruising speeds, only getting gravelly when pushed hard.

Beyond that, engine options vary depending on the trim level. The CX-3 follows the same structure as the rest of the range, including SE and SE-L grades with a £600 navigation upgrade, and the top-of-the-range Sport Nav which gets the widest choice. Automatic transmission and four-wheel drive add £1,300 and £1,500, respectively, to the diesel engine.

The seats are positioned between the height of a Mazda2 and CX-5, which means the low-ish roofline hasn’t compromised rear-seat headroom too heavily and it doesn’t feel claustrophobic. Boot volume, at 350 litres, is on par with rivals but very usable with a flat floor from the tailgate to the front seats with the rear bench folded.

Where it really sets itself aside from rivals is the driving position. The dashboard is logically laid out around the driver, with central controls and a steering wheel which doesn’t obscure the instruments.

Mazda has taken real strides in fit and finish in recent years and, though there are plenty of hard plastics inside, stitched fabric or leather sections and accents of red and silver stop it feeling cheap. The only slight niggle is the gearstick, which is slightly too low to fit in with the otherwise sporty-feeling cabin.

This might be a new niche, but there’s a clear place for the CX-3 in Mazda’s growing product range, and it feels well-tuned to British tastes. Convincingly related to its driver-focused newcomers and stylish enough to stand out in a segment where design leads decisions, it’s another strong string for Mazda’s bow.

Verdict:

A stylish newcomer in a range which has become impossible to ignore in recent years, the CX-3 would have benefitted from sub-100g/km CO2 emissions but ticks all the right boxes to give Mazda real presence in this segment.