THE CAR IN FACTS

The latest model in Mazda’s CX range, the CX-30, is a medium-sized offering which will appeal to anyone who likes the flexibility of an SUV but not the aggressive style and increased purchase and running costs of some of the larger models.

The CX-30 has no diesel option, (nor will have in the UK) just a two-litre 24v mildhybrid petrol with two power outputs, 120bhp and 178bhp.

Both come equipped with a slick-shifting six-speed manual transmission but can be specified with a six-speed automatic transmission instead.

There are five trim levels SE-L, SE-L Lux, Sport Lux, GT Sport and GT Sport Tech, two interior trim colours and nine body colours.

All except white will incur an extra premium.

Two-wheel drive is standard but the more powerful engine has the option of allwheel drive for those who need a bit more sure-footedness.

We tested the 178bhp twowheel drive manual and found it to be a good all-rounder.

Itis smooth and quiet and the lack of a turbocharger isn’t really a problem: it picks up speed at low revs without incident. The CX-30’s firm suspension isn’t as comfortable as expected over potholes and badly surfaced roads (of which there are a lot around at present) but this has the added advantage of a stable ride with little wallowing around corners. The steering is also good and there’s plenty of feedback.

Low emissions of 105g/km and an official fuel economy of up to 47.9mpg, mean the Skyactiv-X engine in our test car is a credible alternative to diesel whether for fleet or private customers.

Standard equipment, particularly for a car which starts at £22,895, is very good indeed.

Remarkably each gets a head-up display which projects speed, sat-nav instructions and other information onto the windscreen at the driver’s eyeline, radar cruise control, LED headlights, rear parking sensors, air conditioning and a whole host of safety equipment such as blind-spot monitoring, speed assist, traction control and a raft of airbags.

The cockpit is classy with high-end materials used throughout, a well-thoughtout dashboard and plenty of adjustment of both seat and steering wheel. Move up a trim and you’ll get a rear-view camera, dual-zone climate control and smart keyless entry.

The centrally-mounted infotainment screen is clear to

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● read and easy to use. Instead of a touchscreen, there’s a very responsive rotary dial with shortcut buttons on the centre console and buttons for the volume and a few other functions.

All models are equipped with an eight-speaker DAB radio, Bluetooth, sat-nav and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity. Higher spec models get a 12-speaker Bose system.

There are two USB charging points (one more than many rivals) but it would be better if there were a few more in today’s perpetually connected world.

There’s plenty of room in the front for the driver and passenger but taller rearseat passengers may feel a bit hemmed in: the windows are on the small side and knee room is tight. The rear doors could do to open a bit wider for ease of access.