Mazda CX-5 Maxx Sport vs Kia Sportage Platinum

Mazda's excellent reputation for reliability, strong resale and pleasant body designs shores up the CX-5. The diesel is a winner at the price but think about adding the $1490 safety pack. Six-monthly service intervals and no capped price program are poor but resale is a strong 56 per cent.

New Kias are excellent value. Platinum model here has heaps of standard equipment. Add five-year, unlimited warranty and roadside assist, very affordable capped price program of $1175 for three years (five-year program) plus very good 52 per cent resale.

SkyActiv is the umbrella term for a lightweight, high-strength body; clever six-speed automatic and bi-turbo 2.2-litre diesel (129kW/420Nm). It works perfectly. Fuel economy is a startling 5.7L/100km from a 58L tank. It has on-demand all-wheel drive. The all-wheel drive CX-5 tows 1800kg and has an 11.2m turning circle.

Hyundai-Kia R-Class diesels are remarkably good. In the Sportage the 2.0-litre turbo diesel (135kW/ 392Nm) returns 7.2L/100km from 58L tank. The six-speed auto drives an on-demand all-wheel drive design, similar to Mazda. Simple mechanicals minimise potential problems. Sportage tows 1600kg and has a tight 10.6m turning circle.

Neat and functional shape and well-kitted out cabin enable useful luggage space (403L/1560L). Seats fold nearly flat. Cloth seats, soft-touch trim and satnav combine in attractive, easy-to-use dashboard. Slightly more rear legroom than the Sportage and deeper windows improve outlook.

Similar to Mazda but with more equipment. Sunroof is a crowd-pleaser and leather seats front and rear are heated. Has more luggage room with rear seats up than Mazda (564L) though less when folded (1353L). Side glass looks modern but reduces child occupant outlook.

Five stars, six airbags, electronic aids, reverse camera (but no sensors), emergency brake display, tyre pressure monitor and hill-holder device are standard. CX-5 gets a full-size, temporary spare. Optional safety pack adds blind-spot monitoring, auto-dipping rear mirror and helpful auto city-brake anti-collision function — a must have.

It shares the five-star rating and electronic aids of most rivals but adds a reverse camera, emergency brake display, rear park sensor, heated (and folding) mirrors, LED daytime running lights, headlights with a cornering function and full-size alloy spare.

This is the engine that makes the CX-5 such a star. The diesel is quiet, very punchy and almost without lag — it puts European diesels to shame. It's helped by a slick automatic. Ride comfort is good, handling is lively (though nose-heavy) and even the electric-assist steering has plenty of feel — it's well balanced for city and country driving.

Such an easy wagon to drive. There's a lot of similarity with the Mazda engine though the CX-5 kicks harder at low revs. But they share a smooth transmission and turbo lag is virtually absent. The Sportage has more equipment and weighs 80kg more than the longer Mazda. Ride comfort is good but Mazda shakes off bumps better, while Sportage steering has less feel.