2015 Mazda CX-3 revealed

Mazda's new CX-3 Small SUV expected to draw big sales next year

SUVs for the city are about to spread like wildfire.

Japanese car maker Mazda has released its long awaited CX-3 soft-roader, the smallest SUV in its line-up -- and Australia will be crawling with them from early next year.

The CX-3 is expected to fit between the top-selling Mazda3 hatch and CX-5 SUV in size and price, starting at about $25,000.

It will join recently released five-seaters such as the Holden Trax, Ford EcoSport, and Suzuki S-Cross in the booming baby SUV market.

The CX-3 is expected to come with a choice of super economical 2.0-litre petrol or 1.5-litre diesel power, automatic or manual transmission, and front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive.

The CX-3 will also be available with automatic emergency braking and a rear-view camera on selected models in some markets; although these safety items are not yet confirmed for Australia.

There is no further detail about the new model except that it has "human-centric packaging". In other words, it's designed for humans.

Translated this means Mazda has positioned the front wheels further forward than usual to give the driver extra legroom and a more natural seating position.

Meanwhile, the rear seat is set taller than the front so back seat passengers have a better view and are less likely to get car sick.

As expected, the CX-3 adopts the latest Mazda design language with sharp creases and a pointy nose.

Perhaps torturing the design language, however, Mazda's media blurb says: "The front grille stacks seven fins with silver-painted front edges to create an expression of concentrated energy that flows horizontally. The signature wing is stout and three-dimensional. It forms the starting point for a powerful sense of speed that flows across the entire body."

In other words: "we designed it to look fun and sporty".