Mazda CX-3 review

You'll be hard pressed to find a better-looking small SUV than the Mazda CX-3. The Japanese manufacturer has designed a car that oozes class in a segment that has historically been a touch short on elegance. Yet in 2018, the CX-3 was still given a (very) light styling refresh to keep it contemporary, with some further changes made beneath the skin.

For a start, Mazda tweaked the CX-3's suspension, aiming to emulate the tidy handling and comfort of its bigger brother, the CX-5. Plus, to keep technophiles happy, it added up-to-date features such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring.

Meanwhile, the range continues to offer buyers plenty of choice, with two 2.0-litre petrol engines and a 1.8-litre diesel. A manual or automatic gearbox is available, and, to prove the CX-3’s not just a ‘soft-roader’, it’s one of the few small SUVs that can be ordered with four-wheel drive.

But should you choose a CX-3 over its talented rivals, which include the Citroën C3 Aircross, Renault Captur and Seat Arona? And if you’re taken by it, which version should you plump for? Read on to find out all, and be sure to head over to New Car Buying for the latest and very best deals on any small SUV.