It’s almost a law of physics that smaller cars should be fun-ner to drive. Or why bother? As the smallest of the Mazda Motor Corporation’s three more-upscale crossover SUVs, the CX-30 should be the most entertaining from behind the wheel. Having just gotten out of its bigger brother, the CX-50, we can attest to this. Not that there’s anything wrong with the CX-50; it’s just that bit bigger with just that much more mass to manage.

All CX-30s get the same 6-speed automatic transmission. However, as a Premium Plus model, our CX-30 has the optional 2.5-litre turbocharged engine good for 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque (on premium gas). This is substantially more than the standard motor’s 191 horses and 196 torques, which means substantially more fun to drive. The fun doesn’t end with stoplight squirts, either, as the CX-30 is light on its feet, especially for an SUV. Furthermore, shortcomings in its sport-tuned suspension, if there are any, would be covered up by the standard AWD. All-wheel drive tends to erase over- and understeer in hard cornering and, naturally, improves grip.

Smaller cars also should be more economical to drive—or, again, why bother? The onboard computer reported an average of 30 miles per gallon in our week together. (“Why bother” implies there is something intrinsically undesirable about small cars. But not so—smaller vehicles take up less space, consume less of our resources and in every way reduce the impact on our horribly mistreated planet. But first we have to discard the age-old notion that Bigger is Better.)

The spec sheet makes it clear that this is a value-priced luxury wannabe. For considerably less than $40,000, the CX-30 Turbo Premium Plus offers much more than just the higher-output engine. Along with Bluetooth connectivity, a WiFi hotspot, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Sirius XM radio, there is a MyMazda smartphone app that lets owners lock, unlock, start, and monitor their vehicle from afar. Other features that have trickled down from more spendy vehicles include automatic two-zone climate control, a computer  with a turn-nudge-slide control knob, switches built into the steering wheel and one of my favorite car things, a top-down, 360-degree-view backup camera.

Our CX-30 also punches above its weight in safety, with adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist with lane-departure warning, automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitors and a head-up display in the windshield.

Mazda presently offers just one plug-in hybrid, the full-size CX-90 SUV, and one pure EV, an MX-30 with a mere 100 miles of range. The company is surely working hard—likely with Toyota’s help—to expand its line of battery-powered vehicles beyond this mere stopgap. Meanwhile, Mazda is doing what it has always done best: Create attractive, nimble vehicles that fly slightly below the radar and make buyers think, Oh, I should go check this out.

Next week: Volvo S60 Recharge