At last: a people-carrier which is fun to drive. No, I’m not joking. There is such a thing, and it’s a Mazda.

The company has long been a fan of enjoyable motoring. The MX-5, among others, has majored on being more interesting than the average set of wheels.

The RX-8 sports car and CX-7 sports utility vehicle are refreshingly different and live up to the Mazda tagline ‘Zoom-Zoom’ with aplomb.

So, when the company turns its attention to people-carriers, you might imagine it will be different to the normal vans-with-windows concept. And you’d be right.

Here are the good points: it looks good, which is a direct contrast with most people-carriers, and it drives very well. The good ride and handling is down to the fact that it’s quite a low car-like vehicle rather than a top-heavy minibus.

It’s also well equipped and flexible with very little to offend.

The sliding rear doors are a little controversial. Some people like them, mainly for the ease of access, but some say they are reminiscent of vans. I must say I would prefer proper doors, but these do work well in that they are light and easy to operate.

It isn’t perfect. You might be surprised at the road noise, and some of the cabin fittings lack. The name is a little confusing, sounding too much like the MX-5, but that’s a small gripe really.

All in all, it’s a good package which stands up well in comparison to the key operators in this market like Volkswagen (Touran) and Toyota (Verso), among others. Its 2008 facelift has given it an even sharper appearance, and in Sport Trim it’s more sexier. Other changes on the line-up include new bumpers front and back, a change to the rear lights and a new grille.

The staples remain unchanged, however. Mazda’s clever Karakuri seating layout is as adaptable as ever, offering between two and seven seats, with an adjustable middle row that not only provides additional comfort for rear passengers when used as a four or five-seater, but also provides easy access to the rear bench.

The manufacturer’s claim that the Mazda5 interior contains 45 storage spaces is not hard to believe. Certainly, the car has been designed with family use, as opposed to practicality, in mind.

The Mazda5’s party piece, twin sliding doors, is evidence of that. Making access easier, in tight spaces such as supermarket car parks, the design is a real bonus. They can also be specified with power assistance, operated by the remote key fob or buttons in the front.

Again, the Mazda5’s role as a family car means that safety has been high on the list of priorities. The sliding doors have an anti-pinch function so as not to harm careless kids. It works, although the small amount of pressure it does apply before stopping should be enough to prevent the same mistake being made again.

In keeping with the sports styling, the 2.0 petrol unit has been given a little extra pep. Tweaks to the valve timing have resulted in maximum torque being available lower in the rev range, while fuel consumption and emissions have also been reduced in comparison.

It feels lively on the road, and there’s enough power to pull it along at above the normal people-carrier pace. The introduction of a six-speed gearbox helps with high-speed cruising and it’s fairly quiet, although not as refined as some.

The ride feels tight thanks to suspension adjustments and, while the additional firmness isn’t a huge benefit on the motorway, it’s impressively stable while cornering and offers quite a nimble change of direction, all of which adds a subtle but noticeable element of fun.

Clearly, it’s never going to take the place of a sports coupe, but it is as stylish as any executive saloon and great fun.

Fact File

Price: £17,440 on the road. Part of a range spanning £14,770 to £20,555.

Engine: A 2.0-litre petrol unit developing 144bhp and 136lb/ft of torque via six-speed manual transmission, driving the front wheels. Emissions 187g/km.

Performance: Top speed 121mph, 0-62mph 10.2 seconds.

Costs: Average 35.8mpg.

Warranty: Three years, 60,000 miles.

Range: The upgraded Mazda5 range for 2008 offers customers a nine-strong model line-up with a choice of four powertrains and four equipment levels. Petrol and diesel engined models are priced from £14,770 (on-the-road), with a new automatic transmission variant available to complete the range.

Options: Four well-established Mazda equipment levels – TS, TS2, Sport and Sport Nav – are offered with a choice of two petrol and two diesel engines. The Sport grade now features a bolder visual differentiation from other versions, as the ‘Sports Styling Pack’ will be fitted as standard on Sport and Sport Nav models, together with modern 17in spoke alloy wheels.

Design: The upgraded Mazda5 continues the original model’s success with a refreshed design, new power sliding doors (as part of an option package) and a new automatic transmission option. The new car has a more luxurious interior finish, more comfort and convenience, new suspension settings for optimised handling and enhanced refinement, improved fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions. A more individualised Sports Styling Pack is fitted as standard on Sport and Sport Nav models.