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 truly "mini" 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 has been redesigned for 2011. Compared to the first-generation Mazda 5, the new model is a bit more powerful, and has swoopier styling and more comfortable seating.

The 5 is available in three trims -- base Sport, midlevel Touring and high-line Grand Touring. The Sport includes 16-inch alloys, sliding rear doors, 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 gets you 17-inch wheels, foglights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a trip computer and Bluetooth. The Grand Touring adds xenon headlights, automatic wipers, leather upholstery, heated front seats, a sunroof, satellite radio and a six-CD changer. Options include iPod integration and a voice-controlled touchscreen navigation system. Standard safety features for all trims include traction and stability control, front seat side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags.

The Mazda 5 is available with only one engine, a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that produces 157 horsepower and 163 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual is standard on the Sport, while a five-speed automatic is optional on the Sport and standard on everything else.

The 5's front seats are comfortable, though taller folks may wish for more rearward seat travel. The second-row captain's chairs slide and recline, and feature a pop-up center table and storage space that can be stowed away to allow a path to the third row. The smallish third row is best suited for kids but is easier to get into than most any larger crossover's last row. The van's sliding rear doors mean easy access, particularly in parking lots. Even with the second row in use and the third row folded down, there are still 44 cubic feet of cargo capacity available.

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 still better than any minivan's V6 can manage. On the bright side, the 5 is comfortable, easy to drive, 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
After a one-year hiatus, the Mazda 5 returned, redesigned for 2012. There was no 2011 model.

The first-generation Mazda 5 was introduced for the 2006 model year and ran until 2010. This compact minivan offered sliding side doors and seating for six within a relatively small footprint. All were powered by a 2.3-liter inline-4 with 153 hp and most were fitted with a four- or five-speed automatic, although a five-speed manual was available on lower trims.

Initial trim levels consisted of base Sport and uplevel Touring, with perks of the latter including a sunroof, automatic climate control and an upgraded MP3-compatible stereo with an in-dash CD changer. A navigation system was optional for the Touring. The following year, the range-topping Grand Touring model debuted with 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 that year, 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 five-speed unit, resulting in lower fuel economy. Lastly, stability control wasn't available until 2010, when it came onboard as standard equipment.