Mazda’s small CX-3 SUV has been with us a long time, in fact nearly 10 years, yet it represents a 1/3 rd of the light SUV sales against a number of newer models. It’s a model that’s always appealed, a five-door bob tailed SUV that’s aged well. I’m driving the higher spec 2.0-litre six speed auto G20 Touring SP, a sportier model added last year at $34,450 plus on-road costs. The G20 Touring SP has some nice touches, well worth the extra, elements that give it more class including larger gloss black 18-inch alloy wheels, a black grille and roof, combination black suede and leather seat trim, a 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats and manual gear shift paddles. And importantly, the CX-3 was freshened with a number of active safety elements including a rear- view camera, front and rear parking sensors, rear cross traffic alert, tyre pressure monitoring, lane departure warning and blind spot monitoring. And it gains a handy head-up display on a flip up screen on top of the instrument binnacle. As I found when I first drove the Mazda CX-3 nearly 10 years ago the bob tail nature of the body limits luggage capacity, apart from that there’s little to criticise. I’m David Berthon.

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