Step one of Mazda's necessary overhaul

ROADTEST MAZDA CX-5:THERE'S STILL life in the old oil burner. That's the message from Mazda, which has opted to direct most of its engineering focus on to incremental improvements on the internal combustion engine.

It may dabble in electric cars, with an electric version of the Mazda2 on trial in Japan, and it’s also participating in the major hydrogen tests under way in the north of Norway. But its mantra for now is that, despite all the electric hype, petrol and diesel engines will be powering us for some time to come and that’s where we need to make improvements.

It’s a message that probably rings true for most European car buyers, who have passed up the chance to join the electric revolution. Yet it also reflects the budget constraints at a loss-making car firm that can’t compete with the likes of Toyota or Nissan in terms of research spending.

Whatever the reasons, Mazda has focused its attention on improving conventional engines and transmissions, along with a long list of improvements to the cars’ architecture to reduce weight. These various efforts are subsumed under the rather bland title of SkyActiv. Whatever about the name, the result is impressive in terms of lowering emissions to competitive levels.

The new CX-5 crossover epitomises this new message from Mazda. It’s a smart-looking compact SUV, slightly larger than the popular Nissan Qashqai, while offering more performance. Yet for all its power and size advantages, the 2.2-litre 150bhp manual transmission diesel version boasts emissions of just 119g/km, putting it in the lowest tax band category alongside a host of superminis and city cars.

Mazda has created a sizeable family car that’s fun to drive and frugal all at once.

Delve a little deeper into the fuel-saving technology and at its roots is a dramatically high compression ratio which ensures its engines are highly efficient. In engineering terms, the engine is running at levels once only achieved in the world of motorsport. To manage that in a regular production engine that will last the lifetime of a normal car is a very impressive feat.

The main benefit of the SkyActiv technology, which also includes direct injection and twin-scroll turbochargers, is that it’s not reserved for any particular model. This technology can go into all its engines and all its cars. According to Mazda, that means that all its future buyers will benefit.

In rival brands, it argues, major advances are reserved for specific hybrid or electric versions. Its ultimate goal is to cut emissions and fuel consumption by 30 per cent by 2015 when compared with 2007.

But the CX-5 is much more than just a SkyActiv showcase. It’s also the first production model to feature the firm’s new styling template, developed over the past two years since the firm parted company with minority shareholder Ford. It’s a look that suits the CX-5 and, judging from the concept versions of the new Mazda6, it’s certainly going to catch the public’s eye over the next few years.

On the road the car reflects Mazda’s well-earned reputation for dynamic driving. Despite standing 1.7 metres tall, it’s one of the most nimble crossovers on the market, on a par with the best of the premium compacts that have arrived in recent years.

There’s little or no body roll, while the diesel engine kicks out enough power to make you feel like you have something more sporty than a bulky family car.

And it’s very much a family car, for only the 2.2-litre Sport SE version with the more powerful 175bhp engine – and emissions of 136g/km – comes with four-wheel-drive. Priced at €34,600, it’s unlikely to sell strongly here. With very few exceptions, the cars sold in Ireland will be two-wheel-drive versions with the 150bhp diesel engine.

Yet while it’s good fun to drive, the problem for the CX-5 is that it’s very late to the party. Despite its positive attributes, it’s still going to struggle to get noticed among the clatter of compact SUVs that have established a firm foothold in this segment already. Models such as the Nissan Qashqai, Ford Kuga, Hyundai iX35 and Kia Sportage are always going to steal the limelight. Many also have a price advantage, due to the use of smaller engines which, admittedly, offer far less in terms of performance but far more in terms of eye-catching price. With a small footprint, Mazda has a big job to do to make it into the mindsets of those in the market.

Mazda needs SkyActiv to succeed. The brand is currently languishing in the also-ran table of the sales leagues.

With a western European market share of just 1 per cent, it suffered some of the most significant drops in market share in the first few months of this year, down 36.1 per cent.

Its senior management across Europe has been overhauled, but Mazda urgently needs to avoid being pushed into obscurity by the ever-growing Korean brands.

When such fears are raised with executives, they return to the mantra that Mazda is about driving pleasure. And in reality it’s true. But they need only look to fellow Japanese brands Subaru and Honda to see that driving dynamics alone will not push you up the sales ranks.

In reality the Mazda model line-up is desperately in need of a revamp. Thankfully for its fans, new models are starting to arrive and there will be a host of new models over the next four years, in an attempt to reinvent the brand. The first is this new crossover SUV.

Next up will be a new Mazda6 and then a Mazda3. Theses cars can’t come soon enough.

Those of us who rank affordable driving fun high on our shopping lists will be hoping that Mazda’s bet on improving traditional engines pays off.

Factfile

Engine: 2191cc inline four-cylinder 16-valve diesel putting out 150bhp @ 4,500rpm and 380Nm of torque from 1,800rpm (front-wheel drive)

0-100km/h:9.2 secs

L/100km (mpg):4.6 (61.4)

Emissions (motor tax):119g/km (€160)

Price: €28,245 for Sport; €29,495 for Sport SE

RIVALS(motor tax):

Ford Kuga2.0 TDCi 140bhp Titanium – €32,881 (€330);

Hyundai iX352.0D 4WD 136bhp – €31,495 (€330);

Nissan Qashqai1.6d SVE 4x4 – €29,845 (€330)

OUR RATING

8/10