Mazda CX-5 driven

Is the Mazda CX-5 exciting? Not in a normal way. But if you've caught a glimpse of the score already and scanned the verdict, you might be giving some thought to reading the rest of this review. And you should, because the CX-5 should be on your shortlist if you're buying a family car.

OK, it stumbles at the first hurdle. It's merely unobjectionable to look at. This is the first production car to boast Mazda's new ‘Kodo' design language, and it's handsome and well proportioned.

But not striking. It's no Evoque. It's one of those shapes that works better in the metal than on the page, and there are some interesting character lines, but in most colours and weather conditions they're too delicate to stand out.