The Mazda CX-3 comes with generous standard equipment throughout its five level structure spanning SE, SE Nav, SE-L, SE-L Nav and Sport Nav.

With the SE-L Nav on test, that includes lane departure warning, autonomous emergency braking and, with winter approaching, the welcome addition of heated front seats.

SE models feature 16-inch alloy wheels, plus heated and power-folding mirrors, while SE-L models add rear privacy glass, front LED fog lights, automatic climate control and rain-sensing wipers. At the top of the range, the Sport Nav also comes with LED headlights.

Inside, there is a seven-inch colour touchscreen, DAB radio, Bluetooth and a multifunction steering wheel across all models, while Sport Nav ups the technology tally with navigation, Bose surround sound, smart keyless entry and, in a first for the sector, Mazda’s head-up display system.

The CX-3 also boasts impressive active safety equipment, with hill hold assist, tyre pressure monitoring system and dynamic stability control as standard across the range, while SE-L and Sport Nav models feature Mazda’s lane departure warning system and Smart City Brake Support.