WITH every damning tabloid headline about ‘dirty’ diesel, Mazda’s decision to squeeze the last drop of efficiency out of its petrol engines - with the ambitious SkyActiv technology programme - looks like a winning gambit.

Of course, you can buy the new CX3 with a diesel engine (it would be sales suicide not to offer one in the compact crossover segment at the moment) but the new SkyActiv petrols are so good it might be a false economy.

Everyone knows that the ‘official’ fuel consumption figures quoted by motor manufacturers are pretty much meaningless in the real world and only useful as a relative comparison between cars.

I’ve grown accused to diesels not living up to outlandish claims of more than 70 mpg, often by as much as 20 mpg.

Mazda claims the 2.0-litre petrol until in the CX3 SE-L will average around 47 mpg. So far so fanciful, but here’s the thing - in a week of mixed driving (motorways, country lane blasting and in-town crawling) CX averaged almost 43 mpg - a very impressive return which suggests Mazda’s fuel consumption figures are a lot more honest than most.

ON THE ROAD: Mazdas have a well-deserved reputation among keen drivers for their responsive engines and snappy handling.

The CX3 feels good from the get go: the six-speed manual gearbox has the same lovely short throw action that makes the MX5 such a joy and the chunky leather-bound steering wheel is a pleasure to hold.

Despite having 204Nm of torque, the 2.0-litre engine requires plenty of revs for a smooth getaway. Thereafter it’s quiet, smooth and flexible - even dribbling along at walking pace in third gear without complaint.

Drivers used to diesels will appreciate the engine’s refinement but not the lack of low down torque, particularly in the higher gears where that exquisite rifle-bolt gearchange action gets a good workout on gradual inclines and overtakes.

The suspension and the steering are carried over from the CX’s sister car, the much-acclaimed Mazda2 hatchback, with different settings to compensate for the higher centre of gravity.

ON THE INSIDE: The large central speedo, flanked by wing-shaped displays for the fuel and revs, is very clear and circular ‘eyeball’ vents are still the best way of directing fresh air to your face nearly 50 years after they first appeared on the Mk II Ford Cortina.

Mazda has delved deep into its bag of visual tricks - coming up with satin chrome detailing, high-gloss colour panels with a carbon-fibre style grain, leather upholstery panels (half leather/half suede optional on Sport Nav models) and a cowhide wrap on the chunky steering wheel/sporty gear knob - to give the CX3’s cabin ambience a lift, Its efforts haven’t been in vain: the CX3’s interior looks and feels posher than a Mazda2.

The CX has a longer wheelbase than a Nissan Juke but its sloping roofline cuts into the headroom for adults sat in the back. There is, however, considerably more leg and knee room front/back than in the Mazda2’s donor chassis (the result of a higher hip point relative to the vehicle floor and a more upright driving position).

WHAT DO YOU GET: The SE-L model test car came with all the usual goodies - electric windows all round, power assisted steering, remote mirrors etc - plus front LED fogs, rear parking sensors, dusk-sensing headlights, rear privacy glass, heated front seats, climate control air conditioning, automatic wipers and an integrated sat nav. The later is notable for having three years’ worth of free European map updates - handy if you’re planning a trip abroad in your new wheels. A 7-inch touchscreen is standard across the range.

The SE-L model also comes with Mazda’s lane departure warning system (which sends a rumbling noise through the speakers if it thinks you’re nodding off) and smart city brake support which mitigates damage and injury in the event of an accident. The former I could do without (its grumbling when you cross lanes on the motorway soon grows tiresome) and the latter I hope I’ll never need (but it’s good to know it’s there, just in case).

HOW PRACTICAL IS IT?

The CX has a 350-litre boot (95-litres more than a Mazda2) which extends to 1,260-litres with the seats folded down. I could live without the useless board which bi-sects the boot - does anyone use these things to protect crockery or expensive stuff? The first thing a thief would do is lift up the board to see if anything is ‘hidden’ underneath. Unencumbered with the false floor (which can at least be stored away) the CX’s boot measures just 4-litres less than a Juke, but it can’t measure up to the Renault Captur which boasts a very impressive 455 litre luggage capacity.

RUNNING COSTS: Despite having an unfashionably large capacity engine, the CX3 posts impressive running costs. The 137g/km CO2 output is nothing to get excited about when most diesels can dip below 100g/km (and thus qualify for zero road tax) but the petrol’s overall fuel consumption is still very good.

And petrol may soon be the smarter buy. After decades telling us to buy diesels, governments have turned against ‘dirty diesel’ - how long before they start taxing oil-burners in the name of ‘going green’? VERDICT: The CX3 may be packed with fuel-saving tech but that doesn’t mean it’s boring, either to look at or drive. It’s roomier and more practical than its hatchback sibling and likely to hold its value much better, too.

If you fancy a junior crossover like the Nissan Juke, you should take a good look at the CX3 before making your final decision.

SPEC:

Engine: Petrol, four-cylinder in-line, DOHC, 16-valves.

Capacity: 2.0-litres, 1998 cc.

Max power: 120PS at 6000rpm.

Max torque: 204Nm at 2800rpm .

Top speed: 119mph.

0-62mph: 9.0 seconds.

Fuel consumption: 47.9mpg (official combined) 42.4mpg on test CO2: 137g/km.

Price: £19,595/£20,135 as tested