Mazda CX-5 (2026- ) for sale nearDartford

The third-generation Mazda CX-5 is all about evolution, rather than revolution. Owners like this family SUV the way it is, so Mazda tried to evolve and enhance its many attributes, instead of starting afresh. If you’re stepping up from a previous model, you will immediately notice the extra space, refinement and comfort – even if this comes at a slight cost to handling dynamism.

However, if you’re used to a turbocharged or plug-in hybrid alternative, Mazda’s engine-first approach might take some getting used to. The petrol engine lacks a bit of pulling power, and it can be noisy (there's no diesel). The third-generation CX-5 is, however, competitively priced, and has more equipment than its predecessor. All told, that makes it a good evolution of its best-selling car in the UK, even if we’d like a bit more oomph from the engine.