Mazda CX-5 2.2 SE-L Nav 150 auto 2wd

Car review by Ralph Morton

This – the new Mazda CX-5 – is the first compact SUV from Mazda. Typical rivals in this class include the Ford Kuga, Honda CR-V and VW Tiguan.

And in a double first, this is the first Mazda to feature the company’s range of fuel-saving and CO2 emission reducing SKYACTIV technologies, which include high compression for more efficient engines, and lightweight chassis design.

It also means the Mazda CX-5 features best in class CO2 emissions of 119g/km, which for company car drivers means benefit in kind company car taxation of 17% for the CX-5 150PS diesel model. For a company car driver paying income tax at 20%, the Mazda CX-5’s company car tax starts as low as £65 a month (£130 at 40%).

The new Mazda CX-5 range includes the choice of two diesel engines,  both 2.2 litres, the first with 150ps output, the second with 175ps. There is also a 165ps 2.0 litre petrol unit with CO2 emissions as low as 139g/km – again class leading says Mazda – which means company car tax starts in the 18% band.

There’s also the choice of two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive models plus a six speed automatic. Grades are SE-L and SE-L NAV (the upgrade incorporates an excellent built-in TomTom sat-nav) and Sport and Sport NAV – the Sport grade featuring leather for example and 19 inch alloys.

The new Mazda CX-5 goes on sale from 18 My 2012. We tested the two-wheel drive 2.2 150 ps diesel version in SEL NAV grade but with the auto transmission,  priced at  £24,695.

For

• New design language gives Mazda CX-5 real road presence

• Smooth and refined diesel on the motorway
• Auto shifts seamlessly about its box…
• …Useful manual override allows you to take control when you feel like it
• Highly refined ride with very little bump noise intrusion
• Interior is well finished – gone is that cheap plastic feel, replaced by a more upmarket quality, with chrome insert highlights
• Low CO2 emissions for this type of car
• And very good fuel consumption – official figure is 53.3mpg for the auto
• On our test run we saw 41.5mpg
• The car is easy to drive quickly along winding roads
• And the steering firms up nicely the quicker you go for greater steering accuracy
• Deep boot can swallow up to 503 litres
• Rear seats fold flat with simple release lever from the boot to extend load area
• Plenty of interior room for all passengers
• Tonneau cover opens and closes with tailgate to keep items hidden and to provide protection to passengers when open
• 5.8 inch colour touchscreen for infotainment and TomTom sat-nav with dynamic traffic updates
• Bluetooth connectivity with hands-free dialling on steering wheel
• USB and iPod connectivity plus AUX jack point