Mazda CX-5 (2012-2017) Review and Prices

The 163hp 2.0-litre petrol comes with a six-speed manual gearbox and two-wheel drive. It achieves fuel economy of 47.1mpg, according to Mazda, however long motorway runs can up that to 55.4mpg. CO2 emissions of 139g/km – its higher running costs make the petrol model harder to recommend than the diesels.

The best option for fuel economy is the 148hp 2.2-litre diesel; which in two-wheel-drive form gives average fuel economy of 61.4mpg. The Nissan Qashqai can achieve up to 74mpg.

Pay a premium and you could have the 173hp 2.2-litre diesel, which only comes with Sports Nav trim and four-wheel drive – the latter makes it an excellent tow car. The top-of-the-range diesel returns fuel economy of 54.3mpg (manual) and 51.4mpg (automatic).

It’s actually fairly easy to compare the CX-5’s driving experience to the Mazda  MX-5 sports car – its handling is absolutely fantastic for a car of its size. The gearbox is light to operate and the brakes are easy to modulate.

Passengers will find the ride is stress-free and smooth, as the tyres and the suspension system soak up much of the pot-holes and vibrations, making it a great ride for long motorway journeys.

Four-wheel-drive versions of the CX-5 are great for those who like a bit of adventure or extra grip in bad weather, however, off-roading is not a CX-5 strongpoint. For mud plugging, we recommend the Land Rover Discovery Sport.