You’d think, looking at the Mazda CX-5, that all it shares with its sports car cousin, the MX-5, are a couple of letters.

Well, you’d be wrong.

First, there’s the Kodo – Soul of Motion design language. Now, if you’ve ever wondered what that translates into well, Mazda defines it as "the muscular beauty you see when an animal pounces, or when a human being leaps into action".

Back in the real world it means you get taught, dynamic styling with flowing, well-defined body lines and a powerful, athletic stance.

Whatever the thinking behind it, it’s helped create one of the best-looking cars in its class.

Second, and not obvious until you climb behind the wheel, is the focus on agility, on dynamism and outright fun that is embedded in the CX-5’s DNA.

It is, quite simply, one of the most involving drives in its class. The steering is accurate, linear and sends constants streams of data back to your fingertips.

The suspension is supple enough to smooth out bumps but still reins in excess body roll in corners. I often found myself carrying much more speed through bends than I thought possible. The all wheel drive system helps, of course, but there’s a wonderful confidence-inspiring balance to the chassis that positively encourages rapid progress.

There’s a choice of two engines: A 2.0-litre petrol producing 163bhp and driving the front wheels only or a 2.2-litre diesel unit producing either 148 or 173bhp in two-wheel or all-wheel-drive configurations.

My test car arrived with the 173bhp diesel under the bonnet and, while it’s certainly not the greenest choice, it is, perhaps, the enthusiast’s. It pulls with real determination, bringing 62mph up in a respectable 8.8 seconds on its way to, where legal, a top speed of 129mph.

It’s not the quietest unit when it’s being pressed hard but at cruising speeds it’s inaudible. Refinement is, in general, excellent.

Officially the engine will stretch to 54.3mpg but we all know those figures are, on the whole, achievable. It’s made particularly difficult by the CX-5’s practically irresistible propensity for fun and, under those conditions, expect to visit the fuel pumps frequently.

If you can resist the CX-5’s charms and drive with a judicious right foot, not easy when the gearbox possesses such a slick, pleasing action, you can realistically aim for fuel economy somewhere in the low to mid 40s.

The CX-5 isn’t just a nice car to drive, it’s also a nice place to be thanks to a high quality interior that, while it might appear on the sombre side to some, is actually a first-class exercise in restraint.

There are no hard, unsightly plastics on show, everything is supple to the touch and all the controls and instruments have a high-end appeal to them. The brushed metal-effect inserts help create a real air of quality while the fit and finish is impeccable.

The infotainment system proved to be simple to use with a clear interface and sharp display. It’s not a touchscreen. Instead you get a jog wheel and a few buttons on the transmission tunnel but it was simple to operate without having to constantly glance down searching for the controls.

It comes with Facebook and Twitter integration, internet radio streaming and DAB radio as well as handsfree calling and Bluetooth audio. The sound system is excellent too.

I’m pleased to say that the sat nav has an impish sense of humour. During one trip across London it wasn’t content with sending me the wrong way just once, it decided it was so funny that it did the same thing on the way back. At the same junction!

The little minx.

The front seats are the perfect place to watch the world whizz by. They’re supportive, comfortable and with ample adjustment. Head and leg room is plentiful too. It’s the same story in the back, though minus the adjustment, and it isn’t quite as roomy as you might expect given the car’s dimension.

The boot is a respectable 503 litres which compares favourably with rivals. It’s easy to drop the split-folding rear seats thanks to a couple of handles tucked away at either side of the boot. The mechanism even has a name, Kakakuri, and first appeared on the 2001 Mazda6. Unfortunately you don’t get a completely flat load space with the rear seats folded so, despite the 1,620 litres of room it liberates, the uneven floor impacts on practicality.

Good looks, brilliant driving dynamics and superb build quality take the CX-5, almost, to the top of class. It is let down a little by the limited, though excellent, engine line-up and the lack of a flat boot floor. Passenger space could a tad more generous too.

Despite its minor shortcomings the CX-5 is worthy of a place on your shopping list. And your drive.

Mazda CX-5 2.2D 175ps AWD Sport Nav

Price: £29, 795

As tested: £31,145

Engine: 2.2-litre turbocharged diesel

Transmission: 6-speed manual

Max power: 173bhp

Max torque: 310lbft @ 2,000rpm

Max speed: 129mph

Acceleration (0-62mph): 8.8sec

Combined: 54.3mpg

Emissions (CO2): 136g/km

For more information visit www.mazda.co.uk