Mazda MAZDA5 Review

2009 Mazda MAZDA5 Grand Touring Minivan Shown

Compact minivans have been very popular in Europe and Japan for many years. Families have found them to be very 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 and as a result, introduced the Mazda 5 compact minivan a few years ago. 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, fuel-efficient family transportation that's easy to maneuver in traffic and a snap to park, the Mazda 5 is a strong choice. As far as competition, the Kia Rondo is the most direct rival to this Mazda. The similarly sized Rondo offers available V6 power and is rated to carry seven passengers. The Kia has a performance advantage, but it lacks the 5's convenient sliding doors. Both small family haulers offer smooth, refined rides and boast inviting cabins with strong build quality. We suggest test-driving both before making a purchase decision.

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-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. The Grand Touring model 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. However, stability control is not available.

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 really 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 about 44 cubic feet of cargo room.

In road tests, we discovered that although it's based on the previous-generation Mazda 3 platform, the Mazda 5 is much larger and heavier -- which tends to tax the four-cylinder engine at times. It's the same zippy, quick-revving engine we've praised in the past in the 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. However, 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 added, along with rear seat air vents and controls, additional flip-down armrests and an auxiliary audio jack.

Importantly, used Mazda 5 models prior to 2008 featured a four-speed automatic rather than the current car's five-speed, resulting in lower fuel economy.

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* Edmunds.com maintains vehicle data as far back as 1990.