THEnext few months are going to be hugely important for Mazda with no fewer than three new models being launched by the Japanesebrand.

In the summer theall-electric 6esaloon willarrive followed in the autumn by the company's first electric SUV the CX-6e but the most important model to launch is the new CX-5, the company's global best seller.

It has sold over five million units since it went on sale back in 2012 and it is by far Mazda's most successful car so it is crucial to the brand.

Family-focused the CX-5 is hugely popular and it sits above the compact CX-30 and below its larger siblings the CX-60 and CX-80.

Priced from £31,550 the new CX-5 which is now on sale, undercuts the starting price of its predecessor and is available in four trim levels named Prime-Line, Centre-Line, Exclusive-Line and the top Homura grade.

The newcomer will only be offered with one powerplant- an optimised version of the 2.5-litre Skyactiv G petrol engine, mated with 24V M Hybrid technology. This replaces the former 2.0-litre petrol unit and there is no longer a diesel option.

It produces141ps and 238Nmof torque and gives the front-wheel drive version an acceleration time of 0-62mph in 10.5 seconds.

The top two models offer a choice of two or four-wheel drive and every model in the range comes with a six-speed automatic gearbox as standard.

As the CX-5 is so popular Mazda has not messed too much with the car's stylish looks.

It is a tad longer, taller and wider than its predecessor but it is still instantly recognisable as a CX-5 and the longer wheelbase results in a welcome increase in head, leg and shoulder space for rear passengers.

Boot space has increased to 583 litres, 61 litres more than the outgoing car and when you fold the rear seats this goes up to 2,019 litres - better than any of its main rivals. The rear seats can also be split 40:20:40 to provide extra versatility.

While the exterior Kodo Soul of Motion design has not changed much, it is a different story in the cabin.

Sadly the popular rotary control has been ditched but that leaves more space in the new centre console and the top two trims get a panoramic sunroof.

The Homura grade gets ambient lighting and the choice of black or tan leather, while Exclusive-Line customers can opt for black and white artificial leather.

A large touchscreen dominates the dash -12.9-inch on most grades and a larger 15.6-inch version on the Homura.

There is also a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and the centre display covers all the smartphone interaction with lots of menus which will take time to master. For the first time the CX-5 gets Google built- in and all that it offers.

Mazda opted to launch the new car in Scotland with a testing 250 mile drive starting in Edinburgh and travelling through the lovely scenery of the Borders.

I sampled both two and four-wheel drive versions and found them both to be ideal on the twisting country roads and faster straight stretches.

The cars handled well with little roll and the suspension soaked up most bumps without fuss. The steering is accurate with lots of feedback and all-round visibility is good.from the comfortable seats.

Certainly the new CX-5 is not the fastest in its class and it could be rather noisy if pushed too hard but it will have enough pace for most customers.

The cars used in the launch were filled with biofuel and there was no difference in the performance.

The new CX-5is as stylish and attractive as the model it replaces and offers even more space and practicality and is sure to be a winner.

It comes with all the latest safety and driver aids and has already been awarded a five-star NCAPrating.

My only gripes are the loss of the rotary control and letters replacing the neat Mazda logo on the wheel and at the rear.