2017 Mazda CX-3 vs Subaru Impreza

What's the difference?

Mazda's baby SUV, the CX-3, has been nothing short of a sales sensation since its release almost two years ago. After grabbing the segment by the scruff off its neck and tossing aside its erstwhile sales leader, the Mitsubishi ASX, like the whimpy kid in the playground, the minute Mazda has established itself as the Boy King.

Competition is getting hotter, though, and in a growing segment, you have to stay on your toes. Mazda recently gave the CX-3 range some attention to counter the arrival of Toyota's C-HR, while helping to continue to fend off its other rival, Honda. More trouble looms later in the year with the arrival of the Hyundai Kona.

Up here at the top of the range, however, not too far away from Euro offerings from Mini and Audi, things are pretty relaxed. Just 10 per cent of Mazda sales go the Akari's way, but that's still a healthy number (particularly in terms of Mazda's profits). Does the Akari have what it takes to hold buyers back from taking the plunge on a Countryman, or stretching even further to a Q2?

Subaru's new Impreza is one of a rash of newcomers in the small car space to drop in the last twelve months. Interestingly, it's one of a trio to land on all-new platforms - the other two being the Honda Civic and Hyundai i30/Elantra pair.

For once, the Impreza bears more than a passing resemblance to the concept car with which the styling was introduced and the new platform meant that the new Subaru might just attract non rusted-on buyers to have a good hard look.