GRAND Posh push to pit CX-30

WHAT exactly is the CX-30? Mazda makes a CX-3 and a

CX-5, which are both SUVs, so where does something with a zero in its name fit in?

Between the two is the straight answer, but Mazda already sells a car called CX-4 in China and wanted to avoid confusion by using the name for another model.

Since it wouldn’t be the first time two essentially different cars had the same name, I suspect the real reason is that Mazda didn’t want to pigeonhole it between the existing models.

I can see the logic in that because the CX-30 is an extremely appealing proposition. The plastic cladding around the wheelarches and along the sills is a bit heavy-handed but otherwise it looks excellent.

It ranks alongside the Peugeot 3008 as my favourite-looking SUV/ crossover on sale today.

That plastic cladding is seen as an essential feature to give a car its SUV identity, but toning it down would have made it even more appealing to look at.

The CX-30 is actually based on the same platform used on the Mazda3. At 4,395mm long and

1,540mm tall, the CX-30 is

7cm shorter than the hatchback but 10mm taller.

The CX-30’s interior is based on the Mazda3’s and that’s a good thing because it means it’s stylish, well laid out and refreshingly simple.

The range starts at £22,895 for the SE-L fitted with the lower-powered of the two 2.0-litre petrol engines that are available. At the top of the price tree is the fourwheel-drive

IF you’ve got deep pockets and love your hot BMWs then keep reading.

The M8 Competition Coupé and sister car the Competition Convertible are both GT Sport with the more powerful engine and automatic gearbox at £33,495.

We’ve chosen the middle ground and are testing the GT Sport with 2wd and a manual gearbox but with the more powerful engine. We’ll come to the engine powered by a 4.4-litre turbo V8 that will turn out 625bhp.

Top speeds are limited to 155mph but will do 189mph if you go for the optional M Driver’s Package.

They’re yours for £123,435 as a coupé and £130,435 as a convertible.

I’d be more than happy with the 830d diesel at almost half that price.