2015 Mazda CX-3 Skyactiv-G 120 UK first drive

A hugely important model for Mazda. The CX-3 enters a class brimming with contenders, but many of them are comparatively average, so a healthy slice of the market is there for the taking should the price be right. 

We've already had the chance to try both the diesel and petrol versions of the CX-3 abroad. Now comes the time to try petrol power at home in the UK. We're covering the entry-level 118bhp version of Mazda's 2.0 Skyactiv-G unit for you here.

Okay, so the clean, frugal diesel has running costs on its side, but this lower-powered two-wheel-drive-only petrol model is the cheapest way into a CX-3 and is the predicted best seller. So in a class whose order is determined largely by cost, there's still plenty to get excited about.

The list of rivals is long, including everything from Citroën's C4 Cactus to Nissan's Juke, via the Renault Captur and Suzuki's new Vitara. Honda also has its HR-V on the way, which will be of interest.

Mazda's decision to keep capacity high and go in search of cleanliness and frugality elsewhere has paid dividends again. Its Skyactiv engine suits the CX-3 extremely well; an entry-level option this petrol engine may be, but it certainly doesn't feel it.

You'll find yourself changing down a gear on particularly steep hills or when executing a countryside overtake, but most of the time the 2.0-litre unit is willing to pull from low revs. It has to be coaxed if you want a real turn of speed, but that's no hardship considering it remains so smooth. It's not particularly noisy near the redline, either.

The gearshifts is typically sweet for a Mazda, so when you do need to work the manual gearbox, there's no issue. It has a lovely throw and the precision with which it finds each gear is something rivals such as the Captur and Cactus could learn from.

With less weight over its front wheels than the diesel, this petrol feels slightly more agile at the front axle. You'll want to exploit that, too; the steering is a little vague off centre but weights up nicely by a quarter turn, and once settled the body stays upright and there's a good amount of grip to explore.

More of a problem is the ride. Our Sport Nav test car wore 18in alloy wheels, which picked up on sharp-edged imperfections too readily, and our experience of 16in wheels on the same route tells us they're the more comfortable option. Vertical body movements over harsh bumps and undulations is noticeable no matter which CX-3 you buy.

With its 18in alloy wheels, our car also kicked up quite a bit of tyre roar, particularly over the coarser roads of our route. The engine settles down at a cruise, though, and there's very little wind noise to report.

Inside there's a decent amount of room, and steering wheel and seat adjustment for the driver is generous, although tall rear passengers will find the top and side of their head resting on the ceiling and their knees against the front seatbacks. 

The boot is a useful 350 litres in size (reduced to 287 for Sport Nav models thanks to a Bose subwoofer) and all cars come with an adjustable boot floor. With the rear seats split 60/40 and folded, you get a flat load bay front to back. However, the relatively small opening means access to the boot isn't class-leading.