Mazda CX-5 Price: $22,675 - $30,770

Mazda’s ethos is to blend sports-car know-how into every model, and the CX-5 is no exception. Sharp steering and a poised chassis make it the enthusiast’s pick. A 155-hp 2.0-liter four, six-speed manual, and front-wheel drive are standard; a 184-hp 2.5-liter four is optional, with six-speed auto and all-wheel drive. The smart cabin, easy-to-use infotainment, and optional safety tech—adaptive cruise, automated emergency braking, and more—underscore the CX-5’s great all-rounder standing.

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Ford Escape Price: $24,645 - $31,895

With athletic looks and a quiet, stylish interior, the Escape distinguishes itself in a crowd of small crossovers. The base engine is a 168-hp four-cylinder, but we recommend the 179-hp turbo four or the 245-hp turbo four. All have front-wheel drive; all-wheel drive is optional on turbos. Handling is precise and predictable, but the steering feels rubbery. Ford’s Sync 3 is controlled by an 8.0-inch touchscreen with voice recognition. A properly

EQUIPPED Escape can tow 3500 pounds.

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Honda Civic

The Civic exemplifies automotive excellence and blends fun with efficiency and practicality. Precise steering, a solid chassis, and a well-tuned suspension provide both a compliant ride and sweet handling. Sedans and coupes get a 158-hp 2.0-liter four or a 174-hp 1.5-liter turbo four paired with a six-speed manual or a CVT. The turbo is standard on the hatchback; a 180-hp Sport version is optional. Interior room is good, but taller drivers may find that the front seats lack thigh support.

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Ferrari California and Marcus Wareing: a perfect recipe

Autumn in North Wales seems to SUIT this journey. The Ferrari California T I’ve taken to visit a supplier is a vivid red on the inside, but the exterior is black and I prefer it that way. I love Ferraris, there’s no other marque like it, but I’d rather not shout about it. The desire to blast around bends is a personal one. I’m not sharing this automotive feast with anyone.

The dark paint fits the noir mood as the clouds descend and I sweep into the Rhug estate in Denbighshire. I’d made my way across the country in leisurely style from London to meet Lord Newborough, whose family have resided here since 1637, and his amazing team of farmers, butchers and gamekeepers. The 12,500-acre landscape of patchwork fields and forest is truly stunning. The animals reared here include bison as well as cows, lambs and poultry.

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2017 Mini Countryman Cooper S ALL4 Auto first drive review

The compact SUV class has more contenders than ever before, and the standard of those contenders has never been higher. That means the Countryman’s job has never been tougher, so does it have both the style and substance to compete?

Auto Trader verdict:

The new Countryman provides all the style and image that previously made Mini’s SUV offering so successful. It also offers more in the way of interior quality and standard EQUIPMENT. However, the harsh ride isn’t ideal in a car designed to ferry families, and neither is the limited practicality.

Need to know:

• New version of Mini’s SUV has grown in every direction
• Better interior quality and more standard kit
• On sale in mid-February, range starting at £22,465

What is it?

A new version of the Countryman, the Mini brand’s take on the super-popular SUV. That means it has a very specific job.

You see, the company believes there are lots of loyal customers who still love the style, image and driving fun their previous Mini purchases have given them, but who, due to expanding families, need more space and practicality than Mini’s other products can provide. The Countryman is designed to fill this gap.

To that end, the latest Countryman is bigger in every direction than before, with a full 20cm being added to the length, and more distance between the axles for improved leg-room, too. More standard kit is also offered, but things that remain from the previous model include the retro-themed styling cues and the huge scope for personalisation.

Should I get one?

In the form we drove the car, with the Cooper S engine, the All4 four-wheel-drive system, and the optional automatic gearbox, then probably not. It’s exceptionally and needlessly expensive to buy for one thing, and for another, the fuel economy and CO2 emissions brought about by this combination will also make it very expensive to run.

We can see the Countryman being a lot more tempting in its lesser forms, because these will be cheaper on both counts, and hopefully a shade more comfortable as well. Plus, they’ll still have the style and image that have traditionally made the Countryman such as sales success. It’s highly likely, however, these versions will still trail the best family SUVs for practicality and family-friendliness, so before you buy, make sure you value vanity over versatility.

Key facts:

• Model: Mini Countryman Cooper S All4 Auto
• Price: £28,025
• Engine: 2.0-litre diesel, eight-speed automatic
• Power/Torque: 189bhp/207lb ft
• 0-62mph: 7.2secs
• TOP speed: 138mph
• Economy: 44.1mpg
• CO2/BIK tax liability: 146g/km / 26%
• Boot space: 450-1390 litres

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