IN a world where the medium family-sized car market is dominated by the likes of VW and Vauxhall the latest version of the the Mazda3 is a breath of fresh air.

Superb styling, great handling and powerful, yet frugal engines and the company's SKYACTIV efficiency technology have put a marker down that this car is a serious player.

Smart, sleek, curvaceous styling in both hatchback and saloon form, sitting on smart alloy wheels it has a powerful presence when on the road or being admired in a car park, which the firm says links it to sister cars the Mazda6 and the CX-5 SUV.

To me there is also a look of the outstanding MX-5 sports car, no bad thing in anyone's books.

It's not just about the looks. The windscreen pillars of the have been pushed 100mm back and the wing mirrors now mounted on the shoulders of the doors, all in an effort to make the car more slippery through the air further reduce fuel consumption.

It looks good and is dynamically efficient. It also has a dynamic look inside where the fit, fixture and fittings match most on the market.

Everything has a solid, well built feel, from the soft touch finish to dash and doors, to the neat steering wheel with mounted controls and chrome trim finish. Perversely though, some of the plastic trim looks a bit dated.

Gear lever, dials and doors also get the chrome treatment, while the dials and switchgear are clear to use and logically placed, with the seven-inch TFT satellite navigation screen the dominant feature.

Major functions are controlled via the touch screen or a knob between the front two seats.Driver and front passengers have good legroom, although the tapering shape compromises this to the rear.

It is also well equipped with the usual electric gizmos and air conditioning, but this model also features adaptive lighting system, front and rear parking sensors, 18-inch alloy wheels, head-up display and a premium sound system with nine speakers.

This model also featured powered leather seats which are both comfortable and supportive.

Boot space is about average with 364 litres, which is also slightly compromised by the shape.

On the road, the car drives beautifully, in this case powered by a two-litre petrol engine which delivered impressive economy with warm-hatch pace.

It races from 0-60mph in 8.2 seconds and on to a top speed of 130mph. Pacey but economical and pretty clean too. Official figures say 48.7mpg with emissions of 135g/km of CO2.

The mpg was certainly diesel like in how it sipped the juice, while the emissions would make it attractive as a company vehicle.

It is a refined engine which accelerates smoothly. Noise is also muted on this model and an active air shutter keeps the lower front grille closed whenever possible, while underbody covers, tyre deflectors and bespoke turbulence-suppressing spoilers, keep the car stable.

It clins limpet-like to the road on fast corners, while the steering is direct and responsive.

The ride is on the firm to sporty side, but never uncomfortable except on the worst of road surfaces.

The 36-strong range features 21 hatchback and 15 saloon models, priced from £16,995 to £23,745. The range is powered by a choice of two petrol engines, the 1.5-litre 100ps and the 2.0-litre with 120ps or 165ps power outputs.

The diesel is a 2.2-litre 150ps turbo with a choice of six-speed manual and automatic transmissions.