Early drive of Mazda 5 - Buying and owning

Mazda won’t confirm prices until closer to the car’s September on-sale date, but expect a starting point of around £15,000, with prices throughout the range pegged close to those of the new Vauxhall Zafira.

Trim levels will range from the basic TS, through TS2 up to the range-topping Sport. Specifications will broadly match those of the 6 family car, so even the most basic models will come with climate control, a CD player and electric windows.

Safety items will include front, side and full-length curtain airbags. Mazda is confident the car will achieve the maximum five-star score in Euro NCAP crash tests, and two out of four in pedestrian safety tests.

The hefty kerbweight takes its toll on fuel consumption. The 1.8-litre petrol delivers 35.7mpg on the combined cycle, compared with 34.4mpg for the 2.0-litre petrol, while both diesel versions achieve 44.8mpg. The 1.8 petrol models will sit in the 25% tax band for company car drivers, one band lower than the 2.0. Both diesels slot into the 21% band.

Expect resale values to be a few percentage points higher than the likes of the Ford Focus C-Max and Renault Grand Scenic: Mazda’s usual reliability and relative scarcity on the secondhand market are likely to make the 5 a sought-after used buy.