IF there were a long-service awarded to successful cars that have stood the test of time without showing their wrinkles and grey hairs, the Mazda CX-5 would be sure to win it.

Despite the current version now being coming on nine years old, it remains fresh looking and very of-the-moment both in terms of styling and usefulness. Bear witness to the narrow headlights and well-raked windscreen.

Not only does it possess an elegance absent in many high riders but it has the space for luggage and passengers necessary in this family orientated sector.

Of course, along the journey there have been tweaks and new engine options - in fact the version we have been driving is the largest capacity model with a 2.5-litre, four cylinder.

Although the engine is among the largest of four-pots available, it's only a marginal step up in power from the regular 2.0-litre petrol - 191bhp rather than 162bhp. And the consequent performance differential translates as just over a second carved off acceleration to 62mph.

Coupled to four-wheel drive and automatic gearbox, there's a smooth flow of power that adds to the car's general refinement, though it doesn't benefit economy. Our average was 34mpg while the official combined is 37mpg and the smaller engine version cracks the 40mpg mark with a relatively frugal 43.5mpg.

The cabin is pleasingly styled with high grade plastics, leather seating, and an usually easy to operate array of buttons and switches. The touchscreen is quite small by current standards but works perfectly well and doesn't dominate the facia.

There's an abundance of standard kit on board the Takumi model that we drove - electric seats, heated seats and steering wheel, heads-up display, glass sliding electric sunroof, electric tailgate and climate control.

With a flat load platform and space for around 500 litres of luggage, the boot measures up well to those of rival high-riders.

Seats, front and back, are generously proportion and extremely comfortable with more than sufficient legroom.

The CX-5 was one the first mid-size SUVs with the ability to handle and corner as well as many saloons. Steering is accurate and sensitive and the roll angles during enthusiastic cornering are contained thanks to well judged suspension which, nevertheless manages to smooth over poor surfaces.

It remains poised and controlled when hurried through curves, yet is capable of traversing a farm track or gymkhana field.

The engine lacks the smoothness of a six cylinder and tends to strain somewhat at high revs. But throttle back, and noise levels are low-to-medium making the CX a restful car for motorway cruising. Relatively thin pillars and the high driving position allow excellent visibility for the driver.

Another admirable feature is the door design which wraps around the sills, preventing you from getting mucky legs when climbing in or out.

The phrase ‘good all-rounder' is an over-used cliché within the world of motoring but, in the case of the CX-5, it's an appropriate plaudit.

£41,130

2.5litre, 4 cyl, 192bhp petrol engine driving 4 wheels via automatic gearbox

121mph

9.5sec

37.2

26

171g/km

37%

3yrs/60,000 miles

4.1