With a new model not due until 2018 a reworking of the Mazda 3 seems a good idea. It competes in a ferociously fierce category, taking on everything from the Hyundai i30 to the Kia Ceed, from the Ford Focus to the Skoda Octavia. So how has Mazda added to the 3?

There are some minor exterior upgrades like the new grille while inside there are larger door bins, leather steering wheel and, on our Sport Nav trim, a colour head-up display. Most changes though can be found under the skin.

What impresses in this car is the 2.2-litre diesel. It was a good engine but it’s even better now thanks to Transient Control, a Mazda way of shortening the time before the turbo cranks up. The result is a smoother and wider delivery, with acres of torque arriving at just 1800rpm. This isn’t a barnstorming engine, but it does feel quicker than the numbers indicate, and is really handy in real-world cut and thrust.

This is joined by the company’s G-Vectoring Control software (GVC), which is a bit of a complicated sell. The idea is that the car minutely tweaks torque to the front wheels which means you need fewer steering corrections when you corner, which means smoother cornering and fewer lateral changes of direction, however small. The issue is that, if it’s working properly, you won’t feel a thing.

Whatever, the handling is good, as is the ride unless the road is truly awful, although whether we could detect the GVC or not is debatable. What we could detect, unfortunately, is quite a bit of noise from engine, road and wind. This intrudes into the cabin, which is not a bad place to be but we’d be happier if some of the materials looked a bit higher quality.

If you own a current Mazda 3 there aren’t enough changes here to warrant rushing out and upgrading it, but anyone on the lookout for a sensible family hatch could do a lot worse than having this on the list. It’s not remarkable in any way, but it is a very competent performer that now performs just that bit better than it did before.

This Sport Nav model comes very well equipped, but a more mid-range model would still bring you plenty of kit and save you some money. Whichever trim, we’d recommend going with the 2.2-litre diesel engine though, as it’s a good and solid performer.

Mazda 3 2.2d 150 Sport Nav

Location Aberdeen; On sale Now; Price £22,995; Engine 4 cyls, 2191cc, diesel; Power 148bhp at 4500rpm; Torque 280lb ft at 1800rpm; Gearbox 6-speed manual; Kerb weight 1470kg; 0-62mph 8.1sec; Top speed 130mph; Fuel economy 68.9mpg (combined); CO2 rating/tax band 107g/km, 21%