SHARPLY styled and engineered with fun in mind, Mazda has a new family sized people mover on the way.

The new Mazda5 will be on sale in a couple of weeks and we have just had a preview of the new petrol engined models - albeit in left hand drive form.

A 1.6-litre diesel version will be coming on stream in the New Year and that will be capable of averaging 54 miles per gallon with CO2 emissions of 138g/km.

Initially, Mazda will be rolling out its new seven seater with a choice of either 1.8-litre 115PS engines or a leaner two-litre developing 150PS and fitted with a stop/start system.

The two-litre can average a claimed 40.9mpg with a CO2 rating of 159g/km squeezing below the 160g/km threshold to attract fleet and business users.

The 1.8, although the cheapest in the range priced from £17,695, is not quite as eco friendly averaging 39.2mpg with emissions of 168.

Featuring Mazda's new Nagare design theme the Mazda5 is out to cut a dash.

The style is characterised by wave effect body cuts which run along the side of the vehicle but their appearance may not be everyone's cup of tea and certainly work best in lighter paint finishes.

With darker paint jobs the style loses some of its impact and from certain angles gives a crinkled appearance.

From the front the Mazda5 has a bold stance having inherited the heavily sculpted nose and prominent grille first seen on the latest Mazda3 hatch.

At the back the rear lamps now stretch horizontally into the tailgate as opposed to the vertical set up on the previous generation and all in all it looks much more contemporary than before.

For a people mover the Mazda5 handles well. Uprated dampers and suspension have given it plenty of feel when cornering while on the cruise it is well composed - much more car-like than MPV.

There is also a reassuring amount of feedback through the steering and while engine noise is well contained there is some wind rush - especially on the two-litre model.

No automatic option is being offered and both engines use six speed manual gearboxes which help produce more than adequate performance.

Top speed in the two-litre is 120mph with 0 to 60 taking 11 seconds and the 1.8 can hit 113mph taking 12.8 seconds from standstill to 60.

The two-litre models will cost from £18,895 with top range Sport versions priced from £20,195.

Across the range all Mazda5s will come with electronic stability controls, alloy wheels, air conditioning and cruise control.

Eventually an integrated TomTom navigation unit complete with Bluetooth connectivity will be available as an option, although prices have still to be announced.

As a competitor to the likes of the Vauxhall Zafira, Citroen C4 Picasso and the VW Touran, the Mazda5 stands up well although it will face stiff competition from the new Ford Grand C-Max.

People movers in this day and age score when it comes to flexibility and the Mazda5 is definitely well equipped in this department.

Power operated sliding doors make access to the middle and rear seats easier than with conventional doors and Mazda's karakuri fast fold system means the car can be converted from seven seater to load lugger of minivan proportions in less than a minute.

The seating configuration can also be varied as required and with the middle seats capable of sliding the Mazda5 is positively spacious inside when set up as a four seater.

With all seats in play luggage space is restricted to a couple of overnight bags but as a four seater there is a very usable 426 litres of space extending to 1,566 with all seats folded flat.

The ability to slide forward the middle seats also creates sufficient leg room for adults to fit in the back and comfort throughout the vehicle is above par.

Steering wheel mounted controls for the audio and trip computer and a smartly styled instrument panel have created quite a sportscar like feel from the driving seat.

The stop/start system on the two-litre engine works well operating without fuss and Mazda is claiming it reduces CO2 emissions by 15 per cent compared to the previous model.

The diesels are due on sale in January and will be priced from £20,195 to £21,495.