So, after my recent test drive in an RAV, it was time to check out some of the competition - a Mazda CX-5 2.2 TDI Sport - £25200 plus options.

First impressions are that it looks a bit dull really. Absolutely nothing wrong with it, but it's clearly got Mazda's corporate front end and looks like a shorter, taller 6.

Inside the similarities with the traditional car are even more obvious - the dash looked just like the 6 though you have far more headroom and slightly less sporty seats. The spec is excellent on the Sport. I can't remember it all, but it's got leather, dual zone climate control, a BOSE stereo, reversing camera, heated seats and so on and so forth. The downside for me is the lack of DAB radio and no Sunroof option :(

Setting off and it was quickly apparent that this is way more car-like than the Toyota. It's got 19" wheels instead of 17" which I was concerned would make it too harsh on the road but that wasn't an issue at all. It handled brilliantly for a car this size with way more grip and less roll than you'd expect and other than the ride height you could have been in any number of performance versions of a family car.

It's real advantage though is with the engine. 150bhp from a 2.2 litre diesel isn't outstanding, but to only emit 119g CO2 is very impressive and makes for a very affordable company car. It's more refined than the RAV4's engine and pulled very well - 0-60 in just over 9 seconds. I forgot to reset the trip computer to see how well it did but they claim about 62mpg combined. I doubt you'd get that in practice, but as a company car driver the real world figures don't matter all that much, just the emissions.

Overall it was very competent, and on paper is a better value car than the Toyota, but I didn't walk away **wanting** one - there wasn't anything that quite grabbed my attention.

It's still on my shortlist for the next car (unlike the 6 estate which is just slightly outside my budget), but would want a second go before committing, and I have the Mk3 Octy to test in a fortnight....

Thanks for this, that Skyactiv engine seems to be very exciting with decent performance, power and torque with superb performance and economy without the need for any adblue or urea additive.It apparently has only a 14.1 compression ratio and is very efficient. Even that base engine has 295 lb ft of torque so I would imagine it is very relaxed on the road.

Autocar said the engine in both 150 BHP form in the CX 5 and 175 BHP form in the Mazda 6 is terrific. I would definately buy a Mazda 6 I think over a Mondeo etc purely on the basis of that engine. I would be keen to drive one and see what it is like.

Edited 4 March, 201313 yr by Matt Bodycombe

I also went out in a 6 saloon with the 175bhp engine but an automatic gearbox - that was absolutely lovely to drive but way outside my budget and not quite what I'm looking for. An estate with the manual 150bhp engine would be closer to my ideal, but the seat was a smidge too narrow for me and it's *just* outside budget.

So probably better than the RAV then? 119g/km is a very good figure and considerably more than the RAV (which was 127 I think?)

A CX-5 passed me last night and to be honest wasn't that inspiring really, just, well, normal!

Aside from these and the Octavia is there nothing else in teh running?

To drive, it's better than the RAV, yep. As you say though, it's just "normal" to look at. Absolutely nothing wrong with it, and it's very competent to drive but just doesn't seem to excite me.

I've looked at all kinds of things so far, but I'm now probably down to these three choices, and one factor in the Skoda's favour is the community you get here.

Having driven a Mazda for so long, I know what you mean but to me that's part of the appeal. IMHO the CX5 looks best in white or red and I'd love to say it would be my next car but I think it's too far out of my price range especially as I'd need an auto.

Plenty of people at work have had Mazda 6s before - the last two models - and all have been very pleased with them.

I've not seen a white CX5 in the metal yet - it's a bit of a hit and miss colour, but when it's good it's really good.

Saw a new RAV on display today. I like what Toyota have done to the Yaris and Auris to sharpen up thier looks but I think I prefer the old RAV for looks. Outside, I think the Mazda has it. On the inside, maybe not.

The missus has an 06 plate RAv and its very good. I wanted a CX-5 Auto but couldnt justify 26k versus 20k for the octy. I still consider the CX-5 to be a contender when it comes to replacing her car but i will definately check out the new RAV as well as her current one has been superb. The mazda auto box really impresses me as its a very efficient unit apharently. Whether is RAV or CX-5 next time or something else, must haves for us are auto box and 4wd.

Havent seen that many CX-5's on the road up here so i wonder how well they are selling as when i tried to negotiate a discount they offered bugger all off list price.

Three month waiting list on the CX-5 according to the dealer I spoke to. They are selling every one they can get their hands on, it seems, so a discount is unlikely at the moment.

Three month waiting list on the CX-5 according to the dealer I spoke to. They are selling every one they can get their hands on, it seems, so a discount is unlikely at the moment.

Just as a side note as Ive been looking at the CX5 lately, if anyone is interested then DTD are offering between £1800 and £2200 off of the differing specs so a dealer may play ball in matching or coming close to these prices. If they cant, theres always DTD!

Nice review btw, found it very useful.

Just as a side note as Ive been looking at the CX5 lately, if anyone is interested then DTD are offering between £1800 and £2200 off of the differing specs so a dealer may play ball in matching or coming close to these prices. If they cant, theres always DTD!

Nice review btw, found it very useful.

They werent intersted when i produced DTD quote. I had a trade in otherwise i probably would have tried and online broker.

Last I read and its probably as far back as last summer now but build capacity was really low so demand far exceeded supply.