2006 Mazda MAZDA5 Review

The versatile, free-spirited new Mazda5 SUV could be called an SUV, crossover vehicle or microvan because of its sliding side doors. Mazda calls it a "multiactivity sports vehicle."

No matter what it's called, the carlike Mazda5 is the type of vehicle a growing number of folks are buying as an alternative to mid-size and large SUVs, which are more fuel-thirsty and not as much fun to drive.

Based on the sporty Mazda3 compact car, the front-drive Mazda5 is a six-seater, but you'd hardly know it by its compact size.

Innovative Mazda has given us the unique rotary engine, which has few moving parts, on and off since 1970. (The current Mazda with a rotary is the RX-8 sports car.) The Mazda5 is based on the sporty Mazda3 compact car but the wheelbase (distance between axles) has been stretched from 103.9 to 108.3 inches for a roomier interior.

The cheeky, built-in-Japan Mazda5 is youth-oriented and thus priced to create buzz among the iPod crowd at $17,435 in Sport trim and $18,950 in Touring trim.

Both versions are well-equipped. The Sport has air conditioning, cruise control, AM/FM/CD player, tilt-telescopic steering wheel, height-adjustable driver seat, rear washer/wiper and power mirrors, windows and door locks with remote keyless entry.

The Touring adds automatic climate control, power tilt-and-slide sunroof and AM/FM radio with an in-dash 6-disc CD changer with six speakers.

Attractive, fairly large 17-inch alloy wheels similar to those used on Mazda sports cars are standard, and the grippy all-season 50-series tires are wider than one might expect to find on this type of vehicle.

Standard safety features include anti-lock all-disc brakes with electronic brake force distribution and assist for surer panic stops -- along with front side air bags and curtain side bags.

The Mazda5 looks sporty for a utilitarian compact vehicle, with slick styling and body color grille, door handles and front/rear fascias. The Touring version looks the sportiest with standard fog lights, side sill extensions below the doors for a lower appearance and a rear spoiler.

You can get the Touring's sound system, sill extensions and spoiler for the Sport in a $490 Popular Equipment package.

The sunroof costs $700 for the Sport, and the Touring has an optional $2,000 navigation system. A rear seat DVD entertainment system is $1,200 for both versions.

The Mazda5 resembles the rival compact Toyota Matrix and similar Pontiac Vibe -- but is more versatile. For instance, it has low-effort, minivan-style sliding doors behind conventional front doors, instead of the four regular doors found on most crossovers.

Large openings behind the sliding doors allow easy entry to second-row seats. The third-row seat area is difficult to reach and is best left to small children.

The tailgate easily opens to reveal a low, wide cargo floor, although there's room for only a few grocery bags or pieces of soft luggage behind the third-row seat when its seatbacks are in an upright position. However, both third- and second-row seatbacks flip forward to provide a generous, flat cargo area.

There's plenty of room up front in side-supportive seats, and the roomy second-row area's adult-size seats slide fore and aft and have reclining backrests. A height of 64.2 inches assures good headroom. There are plenty of cupholders and 45 interior storage compartments.

The Mazda5 was designed from the inside out. It thus has such features as seating rows that are mounted higher than the one in front to improve visibility for all occupants. You feel as if you're in a mini-SUV.

There's no rotary engine here because it's too fuel-thirsty for this type vehicle. Rather, the Mazda5 has a 2.3-liter four-cylinder with 157 horsepower.

The dual-overhead-camshaft, 16-valve engine is all-aluminum for light weight to improve handling by minimizing weight over the front axle. But it needs to be larger; acceleration is just average above 60 mph because the Mazda5 weighs 3,333 pounds with its five-speed manual transmission and 3,389 pounds with its $900 four-speed automatic, which has a notchy shifter but manual shift feature.

The Mazda5 is an easy 70 mph cruiser, although the tachometer registers a rather high 3,000 rpm at that speed. Engine revs below 2,600 rpm would be more comforting because that would indicate the engine isn't working as hard.

Estimated fuel economy is 22 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on highways with the easy shifting manual gearbox and 21 and 26 with the responsive automatic. Only regular-grade fuel is required.

Like most "zoom-zoom" Mazdas, this new one is fun to drive. Its variable ratio electro-hydraulic power steering is quick, and the turning circle is tight at less than 35 feet. Wheels are pulled to the far body corners, enabling the Mazda5 to be only 181.5 inches long.

The rigid body is mated to an all-independent suspension with front/rear anti-roll bars. It provides a supple ride and resists body sway in curves. Short front and rear overhangs help handling and parking ease.

The brake pedal has a good feel, and stopping distances are short with the anti-lock all-disc brake setup. Front brakes are ventilated for extra cooling and better stopping power in tough conditions.

The reasonably quiet interior is stylish. Gauges can be read quickly and most controls, including those for the often-used climate and sound systems, are easy to operate.

The hood is held open with a prop rod instead of a more convenient hydraulic strut, but the crowded engine compartment has easily reached fluid filler areas.

The Mazda5 is the type of vehicle that's popular in Japan and Europe, where space and utility must be maximized and driving performance and economy are important. The Mazda5 should do well in America because vehicles with those attributes are becoming more popular here, especially with $3-per-gallon gasoline prices. 
2006 MAZDA5
PRICE: $17,435-$18,950

LIKES: Versatile. Sliding side doors. Stylish interior. Third-row seat.

DISLIKES: Average highway acceleration. Kids-only third-row seat. Tight rear cargo area unless seatbacks folded.