IT'S the limited edition compact crossover everyone will want a piece of.

Mazda has indicated that just 500 of its Sport Black+ CX-3 models will be built and - with sporty good looks, impressive interior and slick performance on the road - demand looks set to exceed supply.

Part of a refresh last year to a motor that made a big impression when launched in 2015, the Sport Black+ is pleasing on the eye with 18-inch silver alloys initially attracting attention.

Your gaze then moves on to other design features such as blacked out windows, side sill trim and front bumper with splashes of chrome, natty grille, plus a roof spoiler and door mirror caps in brilliant black. A neat shark fin antenna is the final piece in a sporty spectacular.

Step inside and you are cosseted by black leather seats that are supportive and comfortable - especially up front where special high-damping urethane foam cushions are used and you can find the perfect position thanks to powered adjustment. They are also heated as is the steering wheel which is festooned with controls for the audio system and cruise control.

The cabin has been redesigned around the adoption of an electric parking brake in place of a manual one which frees up space for a controller dial that gives access to all the car's functions. The interior is as pleasing on the eye as the exterior with the centre console flowing naturally into the dashboard.

The Mazda Multimedia Commander dash-mounted seven-inch colour touchscreen is moved forward in the latest CX-3 to improve usability while those up front also benefit from a padded armrest with a partially covered storage box for various nik-naks underneath.

The cabin has the refined air of a library thanks to more substantial sound insulation in the doors, thicker headliner, enhanced rear glazing and upgraded door sill trims that keeps unwanted wind and road noise out.

Soft-touch quality materials surround the instruments and controls while a decent sound system - featuring a rarely seen and much appreciated CD player - gives new life to even the most dog-eared music collection.

Other goodies include a head-up display, sat nav and Mazda's latest in-car connectivity system.

There is plenty of room up front while three adults can be catered for at a push on the rear bench where headroom is good but the raised transmission tunnel hinders leg room. With just two rear-seat passengers a natty centre armrest can be deployed containing two cup holders that spring into action.

The boot - featuring a false floor that creates a handy space for storing valuables away from the prying eyes of the criminal element - is adequate for a family's needs with an opening gambit of 350 litres expanding to 1,260 litres with the 60:40 rear seats folded flat.

The Sport Black+ benefits from the comprehensive safety features already standard on other CX-3s with the addition of Traffic Sign Recognition.

As far as power is concerned it is based on the 2.0-litre SKYACTIV-G petrol 121ps front-wheel-drive SE-L Nav+ model with either a manual or automatic transmission and a price-tag of £22,195 and £23,195 respectively.

The manual version sprints from a standing start to 62mph in nine seconds on its way to a top speed of 119mph with a claimed combined fuel economy figure of 45.6mpg and carbon emissions of 141g/km.

The sprightly performance is aided by a slick six-speed manual transmission and composed road holding that makes the CX-3 equally adept on a motorway or country lane.

It is a nimble beast in the urban jungle as well as being easy to slot into to tight spaces thanks to parking sensors and a reversing camera.