The Mazda CX-5 is an interesting choice if you don’t need a hybrid powertrain. We love its communicative chassis and premium interior. Mazda’s slightly old fashioned engines might put some buyers off, but we find its lack of hybrid assistance or turbocharging quite refreshing. It was fun to spend some time with a car in which you needed to plan gear shifts and work the engine to get the best from it. If you’re a keen driver, we’re sure you’ll agree with us.

What we like

The biggest thing our testers noticed was the CX-5’s agility. It’s a midsize SUV, but it can often feel much slimmer when you’re driving it around. The interior is also pleasingly minimalist to look at and refreshingly interesting without having to resort to gimmicky features.

 What we don’t like

Some people might find the simple interior a touch underwhelming. And while the engines are reasonable performers, the 2.0-litre petrol takes some revving to make swift progress, while the 2.5-litre version is a little uneconomical and lacking in mid-range punch. This isn’t what average SUV buyers have grown accustomed to, but we reckon keen drivers will love the CX-5’s slightly raw edge.