Our fleet: Mazda CX-5 2.2 Skyactiv-D 150 SE-L Nav - May 2015

A mid-life update to our new addition Mazda CX-5 has focused on the SUV’s interior in an effort to increase its fleet appeal. Lights and grille have been tweaked on the exterior, while a whole host of changes can be found inside.

There is the addition of manual front passenger seat height adjustment, an electronic parking brake, a coming/leaving home headlamp function and the company’s Multimedia Commander with separate volume dial for safe, intuitive interactivity and infotainment control.

Our test car also has a new seven-inch, full-colour, centre console touchscreen, which incorporates digital radio, two ports for USB connectivity and MZD Connect. Paired with a smartphone, MZD Connect aims to make it easier to take advantage of functions such as internet connectivity and access to social networking services, something I haven’t yet tried but will be reporting on in subsequent reviews.

The 2015 Mazda CX-5 model range is available in three grades: SE-L, SE-L Lux and Sport Nav. The range comprises three 2.0-litre petrol two-wheel drive variants equipped with six-speed manual transmissions, and thirteen 2.2-litre diesel versions – six of which are available with all-wheel drive – with six-speed manual or automatic transmissions.

Our version, the SE-L NAV 2WD has been a joy to drive, thanks in part to a restructuring of the CX-5’s suspension to give an improved ride and better steering. It feels responsive and sure-footed, and its 2.2-litre Skyactiv-D 150 SE-L engine continues to deliver acceleration from low revs you wouldn’t naturally expect from an SUV. Efficiency adds up to 119g/km and 61.4mpg on the combined, despite achieving only 42.3mpg so far on test. Nevertheless, Mazda’s desire to improve the interior and offer greater refinement looks set to continue its appeal to user-choosers.