JOHN MURDOCH'S DRIVE TIME: We check out the Mazda CX-5 SUV and Kia's new Sportage model

A key player in Mazda's success story, the CX-5 SUV has been a global sales hit with production of over 4.5million units to date.
In this instalment of Drive Time John Murdoch takes a look at two very successful SUVs. Mazda's ever-popular and stylish CX-5 has just notched over 100,000 sales in the UK and over 4.5 million globally since its launch back in 2012. Meanwhile Kia is getting ready for the arrival of its new Sportage this autumn.
A key player in Mazda's success story, the CX-5 SUV has been a global sales hit with production of over 4.5million units to date.
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It's been just as popular here and this spring the 100,000th Mazda CX-5 was sold in the UK - helping to ensure that the ever-popular SUV remains Mazda's best-selling car in this country.
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Launched back in 2012, the original CX-5 was the first production car to feature both Mazda's Kodo Soul of Motion design philosophy and Skyactiv engine technology. It followed the Minagi concept car, which hinted at the SUV's award-winning styling, which was seen in production form for the first time at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show where the CX-5 was revealed.
An instant sales success, which was praised by media and customers alike for its combination of driver appeal, practicality and style, the Mazda CX-5 is a landmark car in Mazda's history.
After a substantial update in 2015, the second-generation CX-5 was launched in 2017, while another update was implemented in 2022. Today, the current Mazda CX-5 features 24v Mazda M Hybrid mild-hybrid technology across all petrol models and cylinder deactivation on 165ps petrol automatic models, while the 184ps Skyactiv-D diesel remains in the range.
Jeremy Thomson, Managing Director, Mazda Motors UK, said: 'The Mazda CX-5 is an incredibly important car in Mazda's history. From the launch of the original first-generation car in 2012 it has been a hugely popular choice for UK SUV buyers, who have loved its style, quality and driver engagement.
'It's a car that has seen amazing customer loyalty and satisfaction, so it's great that sales have passed 100,000 in the UK. It's incredible to look back and consider just how much the UK market has changed since the CX-5's launch in 2012.
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'The huge increase in the popularity of SUVs means that today the CX-5 sits alongside the 2025 Mazda CX-60, all-new Mazda CX-80 and the smaller Mazda CX-30 in our line-up, but it was the success of the award-winning CX-5 that established Mazda as a maker of genuinely sporty SUVs, which deliver class leading quality and high levels of standard equipment.'
He added: 'Now part of an SUV line-up that offers customers a wide choice depending on their motoring needs.
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"The current Mazda CX-5 is an example of how Mazda's successive updates and refinements to every aspect of this ever-popular SUV have kept it competitive and I look forward to what the future holds for this fantastic SUV.'
Meanwhile, a new Kia Sportage will arrive this autumn and full UK specifications and pricing will be revealed nearer the launch date.
Like the current European model it will be produced at the company's Zilina plant in Slovakia and it is expected to cost not much more than the current range.
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With more than seven million units sold globally to-date, the new model features extensive enhancements in design, innovation, technology and convenience, and Kia says it sets new standards in the competitive compact SUV segment.
As part of Kia's continued push towards responsible mobility, the new Sportage offers both petrol and hybrid powertrains from launch, giving customers the power to choose the car that best suits their needs.
A shortened wheelbase has been developed to meet the preferences of European SUV customers without compromising on interior space.
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Kia's 'Opposites United' design philosophy gives the Sportage a striking new look. Smooth, soft surfaces are combined with rugged forms and a powerful stance, and with new front and rear bumpers create a strong silhouette, with LED Star Map lighting and Kia's distinctive tiger nose grille.
A new wheel design is available as 17-inch, 18-inch, and 19-inch, with exclusive 18-inch and 19-inch versions for 'GT-Line' and 'GT-Line S' models.
The interior offers ample room for everyone on board and the steering wheel features a new two-spoke design, while the updated crash pad and hidden air vents create a sleek, minimalist finish.
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New seat covers add further comfort, with 'GT-Line' and 'GT-Line S' variants offering a stylish black and white interior in artificial leather and suede.
Together with Dinamica, Kia has integrated a responsible fabric in the interior of the Sportage. Dinamica's premium non-woven microfibre suede is featured in the door and seat insert in the 'GT-Line' as standard and in the door inserts and seat boosters as an option.
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The water-based production process and high percentages of recycled material underline Kia's commitment to sustainable products throughout its vehicles.
Inside the new Sportage continues to offer more than one metre of rear legroom for passengers in the second row.
Boot capacity goes to 587 litres, and up to 1,776 litres with the second-row seats folded, while the dual-level cargo floor available on the HEV provides flexible cargo carrying capabilities.
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The newcomer has dual 12.3-inch curved panoramic displays and a new 10-inch head-up display (HUD with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Kia Connect and OTA updates can access specific features and services, check the vehicle lock status, plan routes and more.
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Through Kia In-Car Payment, drivers can pay for on-street parking directly from their car, while the available Wi-Fi Hotspot connects up to five devices to 4G LTE-based internet.
The Sportage also features a range of technologies to assist drivers with a multi-mode audio/climate touchpad located beneath the multimedia screen.
Switching between functions has been made more natural and intuitive, for changing the preferred temperature setting or adjusting the volume. In addition, 360-degree Surround View Monitor with 3D view provides a bird's-eye view of the vehicle's surroundings. Finally, a wireless charging pad is located inside the upper tray.
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The new Sportage offers a choice of petrol and hybrid powertrains from launch, giving customers a choice of hybrid powertrains that best suits their needs. Sportage offers more dynamic driving thanks to a powerful turbo hybrid powertrain, a new generation transmission, the vehicle's aerodynamic design and a low centre of gravity.
As with all vehicles across the Kia product portfolio, the Sportage features a full suite of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems.Standard Auto Emergency Braking with pedestrian, cyclist, and car detection are designed to use sensors and a camera to scan the road ahead for potential hazards and to automatically apply the brakes when a potential collision is detected.
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Highway Driving Assist 2 employs a forward-facing camera, radar sensors and navigation data to assist with maintaining a predetermined speed and distance from the vehicle detected ahead of you in certain circumstances.
The system can also assist with steering wheel control when changing lanes (activated by the turn signal) and evasive steering assistance.
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