2009 Mazda5 Review | Buyer Guide
Practical Mazda5 Grows in Popularity
The Mazda5 has the distinction of being the only vehicle in the Mazda lineup with a better sales record in 2008 than it had in 2007. This year sales approached 20,000 units, nearly twice the number that passed through dealer’s doors the year before. The reason for the improvement seems obvious. The Mazda5 is a reasonably priced family hauler (starting at $18,665) that has good gas mileage—21-28 mpg.
The PR folks at Mazda have called the 5 “…a new approach to multifaceted motoring,” but in plain English, it’s a junior-sized minivan. It is actually based on the Mazda3 compact car, but has a stretched 108-inch wheelbase. And while it is only slightly longer overall, it is nearly seven inches taller. This has enabled Mazda to fit in three rows of seats, and to provide seating for six.
The Mazda designers gave the 5 a hefty dose of visual Zoom-Zoom. The wedge-shaped body features an aggressively styled lower grille and a steeply raked windshield. High-mounted taillights, shaped like arrowheads, add a distinctive touch as well. Although, some think that they look a little weird.
On the inside, the Mazda5 emphasizes function. The dash has a simple arrangement for the gages, and a no-nonsense center control panel for audio, air conditioning and the optional navigation system. Storage bins abound. These include a huge glove box, which is big enough to hold a sizeable collection of CDs, and a hidden compartment located beneath a second row seat. This bin also houses a flip-out tray with a storage bag beneath it.
Passenger accommodations in this micro minivan are surprisingly good. Folks up front have plenty of room. Second-row passengers do well too, with separate individual seats, and adequate head- and legroom for adults. A one-touch lever tips these seatbacks forward, and slides the seat cushions to the front, to allow access to the third row. The back seat is split 50/50, and is best suited for the small and agile. However, if the third row is folded down, there’s room for 44.4 cu.-ft. of your gear.
Mazda powers the 5 with the same 2.3-liter, four-cylinder, engine it uses in the Mazda3. It cranks out 153 horsepower, and can be teamed with a five-speed manual, or a five-speed automatic with a manual-shit mode. My test car came with the automatic, and unlike the previous four-speed version, it worked harmoniously with the engine. Acceleration was brisk getting away from traffic lights, and pulling power on hills was satisfactory.
On the road, the Mazda5’s sharp steering gives it a feeling of nimbleness, and its short, 35-foot, turning radius makes it easy to maneuver in parking lots. However, the 5 is not a sport wagon—it leans too much in corners for that—but its overall handling is competent. Furthermore, the ride quality is as good as that of many midsize sedans.
The Mazda5 is a good choice for young families who need more space, as well as those who have been driving larger vehicles, but now want to downsize.
Snapshot Review
Sporty Styling
Roomy and Practical Interior
Decent Power and Handling
