DIESELS are fast becoming the black sheep of most auto manufacturers' new car line-ups - even though the most up to date oil-burners are cleaner than ever.

The car companies no longer wish to make them, the Government doesn't want them anywhere near our road network and buyers are convincing themselves that they don't want them either.

But consider this. I have tested several EVs in recent months, all of which have boasted an impressive all-electric driving range.

Yet the spectre of range anxiety persists, especially if you are planning a day trip to any of those tourist magnets like the Lake District, Cotswolds, Snowdonia or, perish the thought, the West Country.

So imagine the relief when a not-quite-full-to-the-brim Mazda CX80 arrived with a fuel dial indicating 720 miles to empty.

Surprise, surprise, it wasn't just a diesel but a big brutal 3.3-litres of six-cylinder e-Skyactiv D pumping out 254ps of wallop.

According to Mazda, the powertrain features M Hybrid Boost - the Japanese brand's 48V mild hybrid system, which enables high output combined with agreeable fuel economy (officially 49.6mpg).

Of course you don't have to choose diesel, there's also a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine available as a plug-in hybrid, both units also coming with all-wheel drive as standard.

So what exactly is the CX-80? Well it is actually the flagship model of the Mazda line-up in Europe, has three rows of seats and is the most spacious SUV ever offered by the company here.

Aimed at the premium end of the market but without the salary-draining price tag of rivals like the Land Rover Discovery or Volvo XC90, the big Mazda offers up some compelling reasons why buyers should consider it ahead of other seven-seaters.

It's a sizeable hunk of machinery yet feels pleasingly car-like to drive, has a smooth engine, is dynamically superior, well equipped and looks quite slinky too.

As for interior space you can go for the full seven seats with traditional middle bench unless you prefer the captain's chair option with a pair of individual chairs and walk-through gap in the middle row.

Our tested Homura model had the centre bench and while legroom is adequate you really need the seats, which slide, to be carefully positioned to make the most of that space.

While you can fit a full complement aboard, it's a perched position for a second row centre passenger - and a tight squeeze at the back for all but kids.

That leaves a limited amount of boot space, around 258 litres, with all seats in place, though that expands to 566 litres with the third row folded and a whopping 1,971 with every seat flat.

Up front the driver is faced with a 12.3-inch central screen operated by a rotary dial located between the front seats while, rather refreshingly, physical buttons control the air-con and heated seats.

The usual cup and bottle holders, stowage containers and cubbies are dotted around the cabin, there's also a smartphone charging pad and a bright airy feel to the cabin courtesy of an extended glass roof (a £1,000 option).

Out on the road there's nothing floaty or wallowy about the CX-80, it's dynamics are slightly on the firm side and its steering precise - it's a very enjoyable car to drive and has strong towing credentials too.

The five trim grades of Exclusive-Line, Homura, Takumi, Homura Plus and Takumi Plus are all highly specified and there are also several option packs.

All grades are well connected for infotainment with the likes of DAB radio, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa, Google Maps and voice control throughout the range and all but entry grade get a Bose 12-speaker sound system.