SHRINKING SUVs or pumped-up hatchbacks, call them what you will but they are fast becoming the must-have models on the new car scene.

The latest model to join the club is coming from Mazda and the CX-3 is going to cut a dash.

Its looks are smart and modern, it's economical to run and comes with plenty of kit - and that is in basic form.

Top grade versions are even more desirable and come with stand out features including a head up display for the driver, LED headlights and a sat nav system that includes free European updates for three years.

They are features which are going to win the CX-3 a lot of admirers and in this day and age a combination of style and technology matters.

Prices start at £17,595 and top out at £24,695 which puts the CX-3 right in the mainstream with alternatives coming from the likes of Vauxhall with the Mokka, the Nissan Juke and the Renault Captur.

While they all look the part the CX-3 has many compelling points. All-wheel-drive is available on the upmarket Sport Nav models priced from £22,495 and the interiors across the range are a notch above the rest.

Mazda design inside and out has come on leaps and bounds in the past few years and the cabin of the CX-3 is finished to the highest order with two-tone trims and a shift away from obvious plastic finishes.

For a relatively compact car - it is only slightly bigger than a supermini - it will take a family of four in some comfort.

Boot space ranges from 350 to 1,260 litres but upgrade the sound system and the extra speakers housed in the boot will reduce that by the equivalent of an overnight bag.

With two on board it is a different story and the CX-3 is a very practical little model capable of carrying loads of up to 1,197 litres if required - and for a small car that's a lot.

The CX-3 can be had either with petrol or diesel engines and both perform with uncanny similarities.

That is down to Mazda's SKYACTIV technology which is designed to make petrol engines more economical and diesels livelier and on the road there is little to tell between the feel of the 1.5-litre 105ps diesel or the 2.0-litre petrol versions with either 120 or 150ps on tap.

On paper the petrol models are a fraction quicker at nine seconds 0 to 60 for the lower output engine and 8.7 seconds for the 150ps version which is reserved for 4x4 model. The diesel accelerates to 60mph in 10.1 seconds with respective top speeds of 119, 124 and 110mph.

However, out on the road apart from some added mid-range urge from the diesel and a slightly different note from under the bonnet there is little to tell.

The real difference is fuel economy which saw the diesel return 53mpg compared to low 40s for the petrol engine.

Neither are to be sneezed at and officially Mazda claims 47.9mpg for the 120ps petrol, 44.1 for the 150ps engine and 70.6 for the diesel with emissions of 137, 150 and 105g/km.

On the 4x4 model fuel economy is particularly impressive and we managed to average 41mpg on a good run through the Scottish borders - not far off the official figure which says a lot for this car's potential.

Mid-grade SE-L Nav models priced from £19,595 are likely to prove the best when it comes to value for money and they feature heated seats, a full climate system and auto wipers as well as automatic emergency braking and a lane departure warning system that emits an unmissable pulsing sound should the vehicle stray off line.

Top specification Sport Nav CX-3s which cost from £20,495 deliver on every front and can be fitted with a cream and black leather and suede trim which creates a very classy interior.

On looks alone the CX-3 is a winner - very modern and very stylish. Factor in its all-round performance, an interior that is high on feel-good and the amount of equipment you get for the money and this is a serious contender for pick of the bunch in the compact SUV market.