FASHION over function accurately describes many small SUVs as they often suffer numerous compromises when compared with similarly priced hatchbacks.

The best-seller, Mitsubishi’s ASX, is arguably one of the more practical options and is keenly priced at entry level but is old and feels it. A Hyundai Kona looks like a cramped, poor-value alternative to an i30 and a Subaru XV provides heaps of legroom but an inexplicably small boot considering how closely it is based on the suitcase-swallowing Impreza.

Mazda’s immensely popular CX-3 certainly puts style before spaciousness and the latest update is no different. But this mid-life facelift has wrought meaningful improvements to ride, refinement and quietness that almost achieve big car levels of maturity to go with the classier cabin and higher levels of on-board tech.