Data from future residual value experts at CAP reveals the soon to launch CX-5 will retain an average 36-39 percent of its value across the petrol and diesel range at the benchmark three years/60,000 miles.

The Mazda CX-5 marks the debut of Mazda’s SKYACTIV technology which promises major total cost of ownership savings for fleet operators and significant financial benefits for company car drivers over rival models.

Forecasted residual values for the petrol engine range lead the way against rival marques. For example, the entry-level SKYACTIV-G 2.0-litre petrol 165ps engine delivering 47.1mpg and CO2 emissions of just 139g/km has a forecasted residual value of 39% in SE-L trim beating competitors including the Honda CR-V, Nissan Qashqai, Volkswagen Tiguan and Toyota RAV4 and equal to the Audi Q3.

With a P11D value of £21,220, the model depreciates by only £13,050, which is significantly less than many competitor models including the equivalent and more expensive Audi Q3 and Volkswagen Tiguan.

Diesel models are expected to account for up to 75% of corporate CX-5 sales, particularly due to class-leading CO2 emissions (from 119g/km) and combined cycle fuel economy (from 61.4mpg).

CAP predicts that the entry-level SKYACTIV-D 2.2-litre diesel 150ps 2-wheel drive (2WD) SE-L (P11D value £22,940) will have a three-year/60,000 mile residual value of 37%, which is similar to the more expensive BMW X1 model and beats many rivals including the Nissan Qashqai, Toyota RAV4, Kia Sportage, Hyundai ix35, Honda CR-V and Ford Kuga.

Over the benchmark period the model depreciates by only £14,340 which is less than many models including the significantly more expensive BMW X1 and Audi Q3 rivals.

Mazda UK head of Fleet, Steve Tomlinson, added: 'The CX-5 will shake-up the burgeoning compact SUV crossover segment. The revolutionary SKYACTIV technology delivers major fuel economy and CO2 emission advantages versus competitors across both petrol and diesel variants. Coupled with low levels of depreciation, the CX-5 should be on every fleet operator’s choice list as it makes financial sense.'