Mazda CX-5 2.0 SE-L Nav first drive

Describing the two-wheel drive Mazda CX-5 2.0 SE-L Nav as engaging may seem surprising but it does deliver driving fun.

The petrol-powered version of the Japanese company’s crossover isn't rip-roaringly powerful and the stats confirm this is not a car that is going to win traffic light drag races. The benchmark 0-62mph sprint is completed in 9.2 seconds and can go on to a top speed of 124mph. 

Show the CX-5 a twisty country road, however, and you'll soon find yourself relishing surging from corner to corner. Bumps, potholes and crumbling road edges barely make themselves felt as the suspension soaks up the punishment while keeping the CX-5 neatly where you want it.

The steering is direct and it is easy to plot a line through corners, especially if a corner tightens up on you unexpectedly. No need to panic, just turn the wheel more and the car turns in tighter. It is very reassuring and the CX-5 never does anything unexpected. Admittedly there is not a vast amount of feedback through the steering but it is well weighted.

You also feel more involved in the driving experience thanks to the six-speed manual gearbox. Changes feel positive and the gear shift indicator encourages you to move up a gear at what seems too early a point. The Mazda's 2.0-litre petrol engine has no problem in handling it, however, and acceleration is still reasonable. Early changes also help with fuel consumption and make the driving experience more relaxed, ideal if you're commuting in busy traffic.

If you want to get a move on then the engine revs willingly. With a red line set at 6,500 rpm the car can hold on to a gear for a long time before you need to change up. The CX-5 never feels like it is accelerating at a vast rate of knots in a straight line but its speed is deceptive and getting to motorway cruising speeds is never a problem, nor is overtaking on single carriageways.

The Mazda clearly has an eye on reducing fuel consumption, a necessary consideration for any crossover aimed at the family market. As well as the gear change indicator, you also get i-Stop. It's a stop/start function that cuts the engine when you are in stationary traffic and the car is in neutral.

The official combined fuel economy is claimed to be 47.1mpg and during our test drive hard use of the throttle saw that figure come down to 35mpg. Motorway cruising saw the CX-5 averaging 41mpg. Both figures were according to the on-board trip computer.

Emissions are impressive at 139g/km CO2 which means annual road tax is a reasonable £120 a year. A full tank of fuel is going to hit your bank account for about £65, giving a range of about 400 to 550 miles, though that will vary depending on the driving you do. 

You get plenty of kit for your money as well. SE-L trim versions of the CX-5 come with touch screen sat-nav, air-con, alloy wheels, a CD player, cruise control, multiple airbags, electric windows and mirrors, parking sensors, a push button start, USB, iPod & auxiliary connections, tyre pressure monitoring, rain sensing wipers, automatic lights, hill hold assist and an emergency braking system called Smart City Brake Support.

Overall the petrol version of the CX-5 provides a rewarding drive, given that it is a crossover, and its running costs are reasonable. Buyers also get lots of equipment, a comfortable and spacious interior and one of the best compromises between a smooth ride and capable road handling.

The new Mazda CX-5 2.0 165PS 2WD SE-L Nav is available to order now for £21,795.

Ford Kuga

The more powerful four-wheel drive petrol Ford Kuga is quicker to cover 0-62mph, taking 7.9 seconds, and it's marginally faster at 129mph. Average fuel consumption is a claimed 28mpg while emissions are a high 234g/km. That means £460 a year road tax.    

Mitsubishi ASX

Another recent all-new entry to the crossover market. It's available with a 1.6-litre petrol engine which is not as powerful as the Mazda's but not a lot slower in terms of acceleration or top speed. Claimed average fuel consumption is 54mpg.

Nissan Qashqai

The trend setting crossover that started the craze for road-orientated 4x4s. Just like the Mazda CX-5 it is available in two-wheel drive but the 2.0-litre petrol is not particularly frugal with a claimed 34mpg average.