OVER the last decade, Mazda has been a runaway success in Australia, underscored by its ever-strengthening sales performances.

In 2017 it was one of only two brands to crack the 100,000 sales figure with 116,349 registrations across the calendar year, second only to Toyota’s massive haul of 216,566.

Mazda’s success has come on the back of strong performances from the likes of the CX-3 small SUV, which, with 17,490 sales, finished second in the burgeoning small SUV segment behind the evergreen Mitsubishi ASX.

The brand’s sensible, no-nonsense approach to car-making resonates with buyers, and with an update that lobbed in May 2017, Mazda will be hoping to claim the small SUV sales crown from Mitsubishi.

Another strength of the CX-3 line-up is its abundant choice, with drivetrains and model grades to suit a range of buyers.

With 14 variants available, can the Maxx FWD hit the sweet spot for price and specification in a hotly contested market segment?