Spring may finally be just around the corner, but with the recent spell of almost Biblical
weather, many people are considering investing in something with a bit more ground clearance
and a double-helping of traction.
While Mazda is relatively new to the SUV world with the CX-5, they've taken the opportunity
to showcase their various SkyActiv technologies as well as their Kodo design language.
The latter is most obvious in the shape of the front grille, the wing motif that crosses
into the headlights, the flared wheel-arches and sculpted flanks, and the high shoulder
line that flows into the rear lights.
Inside, there's steering wheel adjustment for both reach and rake, while the sportily
bolstered front seats offer a good range of travel, especially for height.
The dashboard has a simple layout, with the ventilation controls deserving a special mention
for their satisfying action.
The hooded dials are nice and clear, with a screen on the right that can display a variety
of trip information.
The rest of the car's functions are governed by Mazda's Multimedia Controller, a twisty-turny
iDrive-style wheel that provides access to a series of menus displayed on the colour
touch-screen in the centre console, and this allows you to flick through radio stations
and your MP3s, change various vehicle settings, or program the TomTom navigation system.
If the controller isn't for you, you can at least resort to poking at the menus on the
screen with your finger, or use the not-always-successful voice control system.
Cabin storage is OK, although you do only get one cup-holder because of the multimedia
controller, but there's space for coins, drinks and phones under the central armrest, complete
with a charging point and a USB input.
Rear seat passengers should be happy enough, and there's good headroom despite the sloping
roof-line.
Middle seat passengers might feel a little short-changed, but the reason for that becomes
apparent when you fold the seats forward.
The CX-5 is unusual in having a 40:20:40 split rear seat, and that allows you to carry long
loads and two rear-seat passengers at the same time.
In fact, this sense of flexibility continues into the boot, with Mazda's excellent load
cover that attaches to the tailgate so it never gets in your way, and there's a dedicated
space to stow it under the floor when not in use.
The underfloor storage is easy to get into, too, with a split-folding floor and even a
clever little hook to hold it up out of the way when fiddling with the tools.
The rear seats can be folded independently and easily using levers mounted in the boot
walls, and with all seats folded space increases from 503 litres to 1,620.
The CX-5 is available with three engines: a 2.0-litre petrol with 165PS, plus a pair
of 2.2-litre twin-turbo diesels with either 150PS or, as in our test car, 175PS.
The 150 diesel is likely to be the pick of the bunch, chiefly because of its impressive
economy of 61.4 mpg and CO2 emissions of just 119 g/km.
For sheer grunt, however, it's difficult to argue with the 175 diesel, its 420Nm of torque
squirting the CX-5 from 0-62mph in just 8.8 seconds.
It's quite efficient, too, and although we couldn't reach the government figure of 54.3
mpg, we average around the 41 mpg mark during our time with it.
All three engines are mated as standard to a six-speed manual transmission that boasts
a stubby gear lever and a beautifully short throw that wouldn't be out of place on an
MX-5.
Coupled with the diesel's sheer grunt, it makes snicking your way through the ratios
a real joy.
Luckily, the handling doesn't let the side down, and the Mazda's suspension has been
retuned for 2014 for greater comfort.
It corners surprisingly flatly, too, and while you could say that body-roll builds when pressing
on through the twisties, the point is that you can press on.
The suspension soaks up bumps well without transmitting much thump into the cabin, although
the 19-inch wheels of our Sport model do generate noticeable tyre noise and can fidget a little
in town.
Out on the open road, you'll appreciate the diesel engine's refinement, staying remarkably
smooth even at the red-line, which is particularly unusual for a diesel.
Overtaking slower-moving traffic is drama-free thanks to the engine's vast torque reserves
and of course that fine gear-shift.
Away from the tarmac, the CX-5's 210mm of ground clearance and entirely automatic four-wheel-drive
system - standard on the 175 diesel and optional on the 150 - should allow you to navigate
muddy tracks without too much difficulty.
There are no buttons or levers to worry about, instead the system can send up to 50% of the
engine's torque to the rear wheels whenever loss of traction is detected, and while we
didn't attempt to go rock-crawling in it, the CX-5 handled most things we could reasonably
ask of it.
In fact, our only gripe with the CX-5 is the lack of an entry-level model to compete with
the new Nissan Qashqai, the CX-5's starting price of £21,595 being some £4,000 more
than the Nissan.
That said, however, it's possible Mazda have the answer waiting in the wings in the form
of the recently-announced 1.5-litre diesel engine.
Time will tell.
So, while Mazda may have been fashionably late to the SUV party, as it turns out, the
CX-5 was well worth the wait.