Motoring

Mazda’s tried and tested, but now ‘premium’ CX-5 is treated to a subtle facelift

Despite its old-school feel, the latest model is better and more satisfying to drive than most SUVs of its size

The new Mazda CX-5 benefits from an even bigger focus on the company’s high-end aspirations

Unsurprisingly, given the global obsession with SUVs, Mazda’s best-selling model in Ireland is the CX-5. Like all the most popular new vehicles here, it’s a five-door, five-seat crossover-like car in a similar mode to the top sellers such as the Hyundai Tucson and Nissan Qashqai.

The CX-5 nameplate has been around since 2012 and, as Mazda aims to compete in the same premium class as the likes of BMW, it has always been positioned a ...