Mazda CX-5 review: Big seller ticks all the boxes

Mazda has done just that with its CX-5 as the car, which first appeared three years ago, has undergone a series of significant trim and equipment upgrades.

The designation 'compact' is a bit of a misnomer these days, as Mazda launched its smaller CX-3 earlier this year to compete with the likes of the Renault Captur and Vauxhall Mokka. The CX-5, as you might suspect, is clearly larger and comes with bigger, more powerful engine options.

There are petrol and diesel options, two and four wheel drive and and three trim levels to choose from at prices from just over £23,000 to £30,995.

The test car was the top of the range version, with the most powerful engine – the 2.2 litre turbo diesel with 175PS of power, a hefty 420Nm of torque, six-speed manual gearbox, an 'on demand' four wheel drive system and the highest level of trim and equipment.

These, of course, are credentials which have earned it two successive 'Tow Car of the Year' awards in its category from the Caravan Club, and a 'Best Winter Car' accolade from the Carbuyer website.

It has large windows contributing to a lighter, even roomier feel to the cabin in spite of the black leather upholstery and the high 'command' driving position which is one of the biggest attractions for SUV enthusiasts.

As the most powerful and torquey version, this CX-5 naturally performs effortlessly (0 to 62mph in 8.8 seconds) with the engine rarely breathing heavily, adding to the smooth, relaxed ambience which puts the range flagship into the luxury end of this market segment.

The four wheel drive system is aimed primarily and traction and safety on the road, rather than off it, so the suspension too is road-orientated: not the long-travel, bumpy set-up of some soft-roaders with Land Rover pretensions.

Not that the system wouldn't cope with the odd foray onto wet grass or muddy tracks, though, when towing a caravan or trailer off a camp site.

It's all automatic – no extra buttons or levers. In normal road conditions 100 per cent of the torque goes through the front wheels but if they start to lose traction, anything up to 50 per cent is transferred to the rear wheels virtually instantly. It has the advantages of a more traditional 4WD system but it's lighter with less drag in normal driving, thus saving fuel. And that's what it's all about in this sector: many of the advantages of a full-blown SUV but for less money and with lower fuel and tax costs.

The CX-5 has been widely acclaimed for its real-world economy, with an official average of more than 54mpg and a CO2 rating of 136g/km.

It's a prime example of Mazda's 'SKYACTIV' technology which is now the central component of all its cars: features such as increased engine efficiency and the use of new materials in the chassis which are both stronger and lighter. It was the company's first model to demonstrate this new way of building cars.

The CX-5 seats five adults with a big boot – 503 litres – which expands to 1,620 if you fold the rear seats down. It's more in the family saloon area than the 'hatchback on steroids' of many in the compact sector.

The front leather seats are electrically adjustable to suit a wide range of driving positions and electrically heated, too. You get a Bose premium sound system and, of course, climate control to help keep you comfortable.

This year's improvements include the latest multimedia commander, based around a seven-inch touch screen for the new sattnav (on higher grade models such as the test car) plus audio and infotainment systems, with USB and smartphone connectivity. These functions are also controllable from remote buttons on the multifunction steering wheel.

LED daytime running lights and fog lamps and 19-inch gunmetal alloys are among the exterior upgrades for 2015,

The £29,395 test car was also fitted with the optional (for £800) safety pack which includes adaptive headlights, blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning and rear 'cross traffic alert'.

Other options in the range include two and four wheel drive versions, automatic transmission and two other engine choices – a 2.0 litre, 165PS petrol and a 2.0 litre,150PS diesel. Insurance groups range from 15E to 21E.

As well as winning awards from industry pundits, the CX-5 has been a big hit with car buyers, too – even though it was Mazda's first entry into the burgeoning compact SUV segment it passed the one million mark in a little over three years, making it one of its quickest sellers ever.

That shouldn't be a surprise as it ticks all the boxes. It has the qualities of a well-appointed family saloon with the added extras of all-weather security, great visibility and obvious attractions for the towing set.

By John Griffiths