Cutting edge CX5

Don’t forget,” said the wise man to the pilgrim as they gazed at the reddening sky beyond the darkening peaks to the west, “A sun that sets is also a sun that rises

A fresh beginning rewards the day’s end”.

These words remembered from a book once read, resonated in my mind as I greeted the day. It was going to be a long day and I had many miles to cover. But the prospect was far from daunting.

For ages I had promised a friend who runs a coffee shop in Glencoe that I’d pay him a visit. This was a long trip from the heart of England but a crack of dawn departure was just the ticket for an early bird like me.

Outside, taking shape in the first light, was a fresh beginning if ever there was: a car bearing all the attributes expected of a cutting-edge modern motor. I fancied it was waiting patiently for its impatient pilot. The Mazda CX5. 2.5 194PS AWD GT Sport auto fitted my bill and made me coo with delight.

It’s a superb mid-size SUV packed with winning features and the highest of high technology. At the same time, it feels like an old friend. For instance, it still surprises me that I can dial in a destination and be guided by a soothing voice along an optimised route. I deployed all the active systems and was off, happy that Mazda’s Skyactiv technology would feed me sweet music and keep me safe every inch of the way.

Relishing the roomy cabin, the cosseting upholstery, the heated/cooled seats and the splendid all-round visibility (not to mention the 360 degree camera), it seemed a shame to have to get out of the car to put petrol in.