THE Mazda CX-7 is part of a movement revolutionising how cars are targeted at customers.

In the old days the differences between, say, an off-roader and a sports car were obvious - but now Mazda and a number of other car companies have decided to blur the lines.

This allows the CX-7 to be marketed as having the driving dynamics and appearance of a sports car while also offering four-wheel drive, an off-roader's commanding driving position and a strong road presence.

The reason for the ‘sports crossover' is of course sales. More potential buyers mean more potential profits. The danger of course is falling between two stools, but Mazda I think manage to avoid this.

Ultimately the marketplace will decide whether there are actually any buyers out there who want the combination of talents the CX-7 offers.

At first glance a price-tag in excess of £26,000 may seem a tad expensive, but when you assess the CX-7's merits it is actually quite good value for money.

The equipment list is long and comprehensive with climate control, leather upholstery, automatic lights and wipers, xenon headlamps, integrated satellite navigation and Bluetooth connectivity, plus a Bose stereo system with a six-CD autochanger which can be operated from controls on the steering wheel.

The cabin is a quiet, refined place to spend time with little road or wind noise. It has a distinctly sporty feel but occasionally the emphasis on style is overdone - particularly with the slim digital readout in the middle of the dashboard which proved difficult for my old eyes to read.

In contrast to the sports styling the high driving position is pure off-roader and the driver's seat can be adjusted electrically ensuring a comfortable position behind the steering wheel.

The interior easily copes with five adults as there is plenty of leg and headroom for all while the boot offers 455-litres of space which is plenty for the needs of an average family. If more room is required the rear seat backs can be quickly tipped forward leaving a flat long load space.

The CX-7 is a decent drive thanks to the 2.2-litre diesel engine which offers plenty of pulling power giving the car a deceptive turn of foot while motorway journeys can be undertaken with the minimum of fuss.

The ride is smooth and controlled with springs and dampers ensuing comfortable progress and strong body control in corners.

Mazda ensure safety on the road with the inclusion of stability control and an electronically variable four-wheel-drive system which distributes up to 50 percent of engine torque to the rear wheels to maintain traction.

There are also six airbags offering protection if the electronic wizardry doesn't prove sufficient to prevent a bump.

Thieves are deterred by remote locking and there's an immobiliser to prevent them driving away should they make it into your pride and joy.

Running costs may prove to be a weak spot for the CX-7 despite the reasonable average fuel economy figure of 37.7mpg. This is due to relatively high carbon dioxide emissions of 199g/km that push the CX-7 into the 30 per cent company car tax bracket so business users are likely to look elsewhere for a cheaper option.