Thirteen thousand kilometres. That is the first thing worth saying about this 2023 Mazda CX-3 Maxx Sport, because it means somebody else took the new-car hit and you get a car that has barely started its life.

The CX-3 has always been the small SUV for people who actually enjoy driving. It is light on its feet, the steering has real weight to it, and it changes direction with the eagerness of a hatchback rather than the reluctance of something taller. Melbourne's roundabouts and laneways suit it perfectly.

The 2.0-litre SKYACTIV petrol is the sensible half of the equation. It is smooth, it is quiet, and it sips fuel on a commute in a way that shows up on your card statement rather than in a brochure. Six-speed automatic, front-wheel drive, nothing exotic to go wrong.

Inside, Mazda's interiors long ago stopped feeling like a budget alternative and started feeling like a genuine upgrade. The materials are soft where your arms rest, the screen falls naturally in your eyeline, and there is a sense of care in the details that you normally pay a lot more for.

It is the right size for real life - tall enough to see over traffic and step into easily, small enough to fit the tight spots in a Coles car park on a Saturday morning. Visibility is good, the turning circle is honest, and parking is a non-event.

Finished in grey, still under a factory-fresh odometer reading, this is about as low-risk as buying a used car gets. A near-new SUV without the near-new price is a straightforward kind of win.

Thirteen thousand kilometres in two years suggests the last owner mostly drove it to the shops. Their loss, your very well-preserved gain.

All prices displayed exclude government charges. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information provided, MM Carz recommends you confirm with one of our consultants to confirm specific specifications/features about the car. Please also note our vehicles may not always be on display, as they may be in for detailing - please contact us in advance to confirm availability before visiting our showroom.