Auto Car | Mazda MAZDA5 Review | Compact minivans have been popular for years in Europe and Japan, where families find them useful for dealing with narrow streets, limited parking and high fuel prices. Import automakers' attempts to bring these "space wagons" to U.S. shores in the early 1990s were largely unsuccessful, however, as Americans were more interested in modern SUVs and large "minivans." However, with rising gas prices and some buyers looking to downsize from larger vehicles, Mazda decided that a small minivan might again have a chance with U.S. consumers.
The result is the Mazda 5 compact minivan. Although it's significantly smaller than other minivans on the market, the Mazda 5 provides six-passenger capacity along with the sporty looks and handling Mazda is known for. For buyers who need affordable, relatively fuel-efficient family transportation that's easy to maneuver in traffic and a snap to park, the Mazda 5 is a strong choice.
Current Mazda 5
The Mazda 5 is a small minivan with sliding rear doors that seats six people. It is available in three trims -- base Sport, midlevel Touring and high-line Grand Touring. The Sport includes 17-inch alloys, ABS, automatic climate control with rear-seat controls, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, full power accessories and a six-speaker stereo with CD player and auxiliary audio jack. The Touring model adds leather wrapping for the steering wheel, a sunroof and a CD changer.
For the Grand Touring model, Mazda adds automatic xenon headlights, automatic wipers, leather upholstery, heated front seats and Bluetooth. Touring and Grand Touring models also offer a voice-controlled touchscreen navigation system. For safety, front seat side airbags and full-length head-protecting side curtain airbags are standard on all trims, as is stability control.
The Mazda 5 is available with only one engine, a 2.3-liter four-cylinder that produces 153 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed automatic transmission is standard on the Touring and Grand Touring but optional on the Sport, which has a five-speed manual standard.
In terms of passenger comfort, those in the second row will have plenty of legroom and headroom, but the third row is cramped and suitable for small children only. Our editors found its front seats fairly comfortable, but they don't slide back far enough for long-legged drivers. When both the second- and third-row seats are lowered, the Mazda 5 provides about 5 feet of load floor and 44 cubic feet of cargo room.
In road tests, we've found that the Mazda 5 can at times seem underpowered. It has the same refined engine we've praised in the past in the Mazda 3, but it's just not powerful enough to push the van around at higher speeds with much authority. Its fuel economy is also unremarkable by four-cylinder standards, though it's better than any minivan's V6 can manage. On the bright side, the 5 is comfortable, easy to drive and perfectly adequate for running errands around town. It's more agile than a typical minivan and easier to park, which is something to consider for those who don't really need all the space of a bigger van.
Used Mazda 5 Models
The Mazda 5 was introduced for the 2006 model year. The range-topping Grand Touring model was not offered that year (it dawned for '07), nor were its many luxury niceties. For 2008, the Mazda 5 received revised front and rear styling and a new center control panel. Electroluminescent gauges were also added in '08, along with rear seat air vents and controls, additional flip-down armrests and an auxiliary audio jack. Another thing to note is that Mazda 5 models prior to 2008 featured a four-speed automatic rather than the current car's five-speed, resulting in lower fuel economy. Finally, stability control came onboard as standard equipment for 2010; it was previously unavailable.
(www.edmunds.com)
The result is the Mazda 5 compact minivan. Although it's significantly smaller than other minivans on the market, the Mazda 5 provides six-passenger capacity along with the sporty looks and handling Mazda is known for. For buyers who need affordable, relatively fuel-efficient family transportation that's easy to maneuver in traffic and a snap to park, the Mazda 5 is a strong choice.
Current Mazda 5
The Mazda 5 is a small minivan with sliding rear doors that seats six people. It is available in three trims -- base Sport, midlevel Touring and high-line Grand Touring. The Sport includes 17-inch alloys, ABS, automatic climate control with rear-seat controls, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, full power accessories and a six-speaker stereo with CD player and auxiliary audio jack. The Touring model adds leather wrapping for the steering wheel, a sunroof and a CD changer.
For the Grand Touring model, Mazda adds automatic xenon headlights, automatic wipers, leather upholstery, heated front seats and Bluetooth. Touring and Grand Touring models also offer a voice-controlled touchscreen navigation system. For safety, front seat side airbags and full-length head-protecting side curtain airbags are standard on all trims, as is stability control.
The Mazda 5 is available with only one engine, a 2.3-liter four-cylinder that produces 153 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed automatic transmission is standard on the Touring and Grand Touring but optional on the Sport, which has a five-speed manual standard.
In terms of passenger comfort, those in the second row will have plenty of legroom and headroom, but the third row is cramped and suitable for small children only. Our editors found its front seats fairly comfortable, but they don't slide back far enough for long-legged drivers. When both the second- and third-row seats are lowered, the Mazda 5 provides about 5 feet of load floor and 44 cubic feet of cargo room.
In road tests, we've found that the Mazda 5 can at times seem underpowered. It has the same refined engine we've praised in the past in the Mazda 3, but it's just not powerful enough to push the van around at higher speeds with much authority. Its fuel economy is also unremarkable by four-cylinder standards, though it's better than any minivan's V6 can manage. On the bright side, the 5 is comfortable, easy to drive and perfectly adequate for running errands around town. It's more agile than a typical minivan and easier to park, which is something to consider for those who don't really need all the space of a bigger van.
Used Mazda 5 Models
The Mazda 5 was introduced for the 2006 model year. The range-topping Grand Touring model was not offered that year (it dawned for '07), nor were its many luxury niceties. For 2008, the Mazda 5 received revised front and rear styling and a new center control panel. Electroluminescent gauges were also added in '08, along with rear seat air vents and controls, additional flip-down armrests and an auxiliary audio jack. Another thing to note is that Mazda 5 models prior to 2008 featured a four-speed automatic rather than the current car's five-speed, resulting in lower fuel economy. Finally, stability control came onboard as standard equipment for 2010; it was previously unavailable.
(www.edmunds.com)
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