Mazda has a firm stake at the top of this rapidly growing category.

Mazda CX-3 Neo

It’s not often the case that the best drives turn out to be the most cost-effective cars to own, but that’s certainly true of the Mazda CX-3 Neo.

In what is almost a clean sweep of the scoring fields, the Mazda is the least expensive to buy, with an identical 12-month service interval and three-year warranty as its nearest rivals, an equal-best three-year retained value of 50 percent, and the least costly insurance premium – just $620.

The only area in which the CX-3 doesn’t lead the pack is fuel consumption. But then the 109kW 2.0-litre four-cylinder is hardly thirsty at 6.3L/100km and it’s bigger than the engines in its rivals. In terms of aesthetics, the CX-3 strikes a cool look that transcends its size, genre and price-point, which for some could be worth $19,990 on its own.

Suzuki Vitara RT-S

2016-Suzuki -Vitara -RT-X

Peugeot 2008 Active

Peugeot -2008-front -side

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