Cross-overs are the driving force for more manufacturers.
They combine one set of benefits with another, effectively giving a buyer not one but two models in one car and most popular of these today is the medium-sized SUV with some sort of all-wheel-drive.
It may be either part or full time, and mainly intended for wintry roads and light off-road use.
So a buyer does not have the high costs and bulkiness of a fully fledged 4WD off-roader but there is more practicality than in the conventional family hatchback or estate.
At the same time, the modern cross-over gives lower emissions, lower fuel consumption and better acceleration due to lower weight. It all adds up to an attractive package for many country dwellers.
Without a serious off-roader in its line-up, Mazda has eased into the cross-over sector with its CX-5 range of ten models in petrol or diesel versions and with manual or automatic transmission.
We tested the top manual derivative without the automatic box which adds £1,200 to the cost and has the more powerful diesel engine, although a 150ps version is available to lower BIK bills.
The five-door design opens to reveal a roomy interior for five with a low sill to the loadbed but no full size spare wheel which with a 4WD model should be standard. The bootspace is good rising from a nominal 503 litres to 1620 litres by folding the split back seats but the oddments spaces are small and not many in number for a family car.
The Mazda CX-5 has a raised ride height which gives good visibility in traffic and over hedges in the country. A reversing camera and sensors at both ends ease parking problems and are virtually essential as the shape hides the corners from the driver’s view. Wipers front and rear are good but the headlights lacked distance and brightness.
Major and secondary controls are all sensibly placed and operate with ease, the instruments infront of the driver are simple and clear with a central console display for the satnav and sound system which is both touch-screen and remotely operated.
The keyless start button is obscured by a stalk but otherwise the intelligent stop & start system works well and helps add a few more miles per gallon by shutting off when idling.
The 2.2 litre diesel is a strong four-cylinder which uses Mazda’s advanced Skyactiv technology to keep down weight while maximising economy and power. It certainly works very well in the CX-5.
It is not the quickest through the gears despite the use of a light progressive clutch and slick changing ratios, but it does deliver good pulling power and an easy long-legged main road performance. This helped us exceed 40mpg overall and at worse it dipped to 38mpg when pressing on over country roads which needed more gearchanging.
It had a generally composed nature unless you used the gears to their fullest extent and the engine noise became much busier.
Even so, it was always agile and with the 4WD transmission it securely gripped some tight turns on sweeping roads. Steering and brakes were very good, precise and light respectively.
It also rode well except when you came over broken tarmac or bumps and it could become much firmer. It had a tight turning circle and with good assistance and feedback it was nimble in town and agile on the open road.
VERDICT
It is a good, well equipped package at the price, it drives well and economically, is roomy and gives reassurance in wintry conditions, and it’s rarer than many competitors.
Fast facts:
Mazda CX-5 2.2 Sport AWD £27,495
Mechanical: 4cyl 175ps 2.2 litre turbo diesel, 6sp manual, four wheel drive
Insurance group: 21
Max speed: 129mph
0-62mph: 8.8sec
Combined mpg: 54.3 (40.4 on test)
CO2 emissions: 136gkm
BIK rating: VED band E/ 19%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles
