Mazda is introducing two new models to the Mazda CX-5 compact SUV line-up – both fitted with the company’s innovative fuel-saving SKYACTIV technology – the SE‑L Lux and SE-L Lux Nav.

Both models, now available in showrooms across the UK, are based on the 2.2-litre diesel 150ps 2WD SE-L, with manual transmission and feature the addition of a powered tilt-and-slide glass sunroof, full leather trim in Black or Stone (no cost option), a six-way power adjustable driver’s seat and heated front seats with three-stage temperature settings.

The Mazda CX-5 2.2-litre diesel 150ps 2WD SE-L Lux is available from £24,495 on the road (OTR), while the SE-L Lux Nav costs from £25,195 (OTR) – both prices being £1,200 above the standard SE-L models.

Mazda’s ability to defy convention and deliver uniquely appealing cars with innovative fuel-saving SKYACTIV technology, such as the CX-5, has been given numerous glowing third-party endorsements over the last 12 months.

Elsewhere in News, we comment on the sales success of Land Rover’s Evoque. It’s interesting, therefore, to report on another SUV that has been a global sales phenomenon. Skoda’s Yeti has been around for longer than the Evoque, having been launched in 2009, and a total of 263,200 Yetis is impressive, more so, however, is that some 87,400 Yetis were sold in 2012 and that figure looks like being matched for 2013 – in a depressed European market let’s not forget. Production is truly global with models built in the Czech plant of Kvasiny, in Russia at Nizhny Novgorod and production will be starting in Shanghai, China, by the end of this year.

The new models, which were revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show, sees the Yeti now available as two visually different options; a Yeti for the town (available as front-wheel drive) and an off-road version. The new visual designs distinguish the two models. Front and rear changes have been made, and the ‘off-road’ option has underbody protection, side mouldings which can be body colour or as black plastic. There are four new alloy wheel designs, and new body colours – one of which is worryingly called ‘Jungle-Green’. The interior has changed, which is a positive as it always appeared a little too VW Golf-influenced and too bland and efficient to us. A new three spoke steering wheel, different fabrics and seat patterns and decorative trims will hopefully lift things somewhat.

Chevrolet Trax prices have been announced. The 1.4T AWD LT Stop-Start is priced at £19,795 on the road and the top of the range 1.7 VCDi AWD LT Stop-Start is £20,495 on the road.

Any SsangYong models purchased during September will come with an impressive five years free servicing offer. The Korando ES is claimed to be the lowest priced SUV on the market at only £14,995.

Some 250 Land Rovers turned up for the National Motor Museum’s first ever ‘Simply Land Rover’ event at Beaulieu this August. Excellent weather helped, but the success of the event should ensure that it becomes a regular annual occurrence. Beaulieu joined forces with Land Rover Experience, West Country, to allow entrants to experience the newly designed off-road Forest Drive. This proved very popular with a total of 84 personal Land Rovers making the trip, in addition to the drives chauffeured by LRE. There was an opportunity for visitors to vote on their favourite Land Rovers and the winner was Nigel Major from Christchurch with his colourful 1978 Series III 109 fire engine. Nigel, who is a full-time fire-fighter at Bournemouth Airport only bought the vehicle through eBay some three years ago. And of course, when the people decide, then everyone love’s a fireman! Beaulieu has a number of interesting special motoring events, and it’s a great place to visit. Check out what is happening by visiting www.beaulieuevents.co.uk

Next year’s Toyota Land Cruiser will have the benefits from some exterior and interior design tweaks, together with adjustments to the vehicle’s Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System – claimed to improve handling and ride comfort. With over 60 years in the Toyota model range, the range topping Land Cruiser now has to match up with increased competition from Range Rover and Mercedes-Benz with its AMG ML series.  The 2014 Land Cruiser gets a new treatment for the front, with a deeper front bumper and new light clusters, plus new alloy wheel designs and revised rear lamps. Inside there are further improvements, together with a new control panel for on and off-road driving systems. The 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine remains, but has been developed to meet the Euro5+ emissions standards. Performance of the 188bhp engine has not changed, but emissions have been reduced. As we closed for press, full details of the changes for UK models and prices had not been announced. The new Land Cruiser will be available in the early part of 2014 and we will report in more detail as soon as we have them.

It’s been a busy month for the guys at JLR! After the announcement of the new Jaguar SUV, there has also been the Range Rover Hybrid (full details, page 14, November 2013) and some significant changes to the best-selling Evoque.

It’s somewhat difficult to believe that we’ve had the Range Rover Evoque with us for over two years. We first wrote in detail about the Evoque in June 2011, and it won our 2012 4×4 Of The Year; in fact, it won practically every award that was available to a 4×4! It’s true to say that initial reaction for some people was not so positive, with fatuous comments about it not ‘deserving’ the Range Rover badging on the bonnet being high on the traditional Luddite view. What no one can deny, however blinkered and covered in axle grease they may be, is that it has been an astonishing global sales success. Some 170,000 units have been sold in a mere 18 months. Jaguar Land Rover cannot build enough of them, and that demand hasn’t dropped at all, and plans are now being investigated to expand the Halewood plant so they can make more of them. And quicker.

In terms of a vehicle’s model lifetime, however, two years is a long time and the market expects revisions, updates, and the Evoque is no exception. It does seem, however, that some things do not change and the traditional Land Rover view of ‘evolution, not revolution’ means that the revisions to the Evoque are not dramatic, but that’s not to say they are not significant.