THE whole point of an SUV is to maximise space - whether for passengers or cargo.

Few would argue the point. Yet a high proportion of roomy high-riders are made with just five seats, ie the same number of places as a conventional four-door saloon.

Mazda, like many of its rivals, produced the handsome CX-60 - five seater with bags of space for passengers and luggage.

But now the range is expanded - quite literally - with a slightly stretched seven-seater version, which understandably appeals more to large families.

And it lifts the Japanese company into the prestige territory occupied by Volvo with their XC90. Land Rover which has the Discovery and Audi which produces the classy Q7.

With a choice of petrol or diesel power, we opted to sample the oil-burner variant, traditionally particularly popular in this sector for its high torque and excellent economy.

The 3.3-litre, six-cylinder, in-line diesel that powers the CX-80 is something of a star. Not only does it provide a smooth stream of refined power, but in most circumstances it sips fuel at the rate of 45mpg-plus.

With 251bhp to call on, acceleration is nifty with 62mph coming up in around 8 seconds, more impressive still is the mid-range pick-up, benefiting swift overtaking. All the while, the big diesel remains sweet and discrete, so much so that you forget it's even a diesel.

Although the marginally smaller CX-60 is available in two-wheel drive form, its big brother is all wheel drive only and comes with an eight-speed automatic gearbox, as does the whole range.

Ride is composed and comfortable but somewhat stiffer than the average family SUV, illustrating the Mazda's driver-orientated character. Steering is pleasantly weighted and provides decent feedback from the road.

Th extra space for the final row of rear seats is provided by extending the wheelbase by 250mm. Our flagship Takumi Plus version came with a second row of two captain's seats with a console containing storage space and cupholders between them - very luxurious but obviously slightly less practical. A traditional three-seater bench is an option.

The rearmost seats are smaller but can still accommodate two adults. Boot space of 560 litres is generous enough with the final row of seats folded.

The cabin is classy and prestigious with high grade furnishings, maple wood finish and pale leather trim. Not everyone, however, will be attracted to the Takumi version's light-coloured fascia and woven fascia.

Front seats, electrically heated and adjustable for height and rake, are hugely comfortable and supportive over long journeys. A glass opening panoramic roof adds to the lightness of the cabin. It does, however, cause noticeable wind noise when open at speeds over 50mph.

Measuring very nearly five metres long, there's an inevitable price to be paid for the Mazda's bulk, and this is an expansive turning circle which can necessitate some adjustment when manoeuvring around supermarket car parks or other tight spaces.