In our opening report, I pointed out that the cabin on our SE-L Nav specification CX-3 was “all very black, with only some red rims to the air vents breaking up the dark materials”. That remains true, although we should have also mentioned that there is no shortage of chrome in the interior, too.

My favourite chrome accent is the thin strip that runs across the dashboard and the hazard light button, and which incorporates a stylishly central, integrated air vent.

Other chrome touches include Mazda’s logo in the middle of the steering wheel, plus part of the steering wheel itself. Elsewhere, there’s lots of the silver stuff including on the gear knob, the surrounds on the three temperature control dials, and the Multimedia Commander controls in the centre console.

Mazda has also tried to break up the black surfaces by varying the materials. As a result, the leather steering wheel has carbon-effect inserts surrounding its integrated controls, (and more ‘carbon’ around the window controls in the doors), plus shiny black plastic around the red rims of the air vents.

Yes, the CX-3’s interior is all still very black, and some prospective buyers might not like it but I, for one, don’t find it in the least bit oppressive.