2010 Mazda 5 Review

The carlike Mazda5 compact minivan is a good combination of fun and practicality and  should be selling much better than it is. The problem is that relatively few apparently know it exists.

The front-drive Mazda5 may be for you if a sedan is too small and a regular minivan is too large. It reacts like a car because it's built on underpinnings of the compact, fun-to-drive Mazda3 auto.

The Mazda5 has a longer, taller body than the Mazda3, with a wedge shape and sporty lines. Sliding rear side doors have wide openings and there is seating for six, although the tight third row is strictly for kids.

There is scant cargo room when the split-folding third-row seatbacks are upright, but plenty of room when they are folded forward.

There is good room for tall adults in the first- and second-row seats, and it's a snap to get in and out with the sliding side doors and low floor, although agility is needed to reach the 50/50 split third-row seat despite a one-touch "walk-in" mechanism.


Electroluminescent gauges can be easily read under various lighting conditions, and sound system controls are large. Audio controls are adequately sized, but should be larger. Cabin storage space is good, with such features as a large glovebox and half-liter bottle holders.   

The cargo opening is low and wide, and the hatch has an interior indented area to help close it without getting hands dirty on outside sheet metal.

Second- and third-row seats fold and slide in many configurations for added versatility. There's a second-row fold-out tray tablewith storage and dual cupholders, and the driver's seat has manual height and lumber support adjustments.

Offered are Sport, Touring and Grand Touring models. The Sport costs $17,995 with a five-speed manual transmission and $19,435 with a five-speed automatic. The $21,250 Touring comes only with the automatic, as does the $23,005 Grand Touring.

This Mazda has a good amount of standard equipment. For instance, the Sport comes with automatic air conditioning and cruise control. Also standard are a tilt/telescopic wheel, rear wiper/washer, power windows and door locks with remote keyless entry and an AM/FM stereo with six speakers and 17-inch alloy wheels.

The Touring adds a power sliding-glass moonroof, AM/FM/CD with an in-dash 6-disc CD changer and leather-wrapped wheel and shift knob.

The Grand Touring adds leather upholstery, heated front seats and door mirrors, powerful xenon headlights and a Bluetooth hands-free phone system.

Options include a  navigation system for the Grand Touring, a DVD entertainment system for all versions and a Popular Equipment Package for the automatic-transmission Sport. That package contains an in-dash 6-disc CD changer, rear hatch spoiler and side sill extensions for a sportier look. Those items are standard for the Touring and Grand Touring.

Impressive safety features for all versions include dynamic stability control, traction control, anti-lock all-disc brakes with brake-assist and brake force distribution system features, front-seat side air bags and three-row side air curtains.  

All have a stout, smooth 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine with dual overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder and a variable induction system for good low-end torque useful in daily driving.

The engine kicks out 153 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque, which is enough for lively acceleration in town, decent merging into fast traffic and good 65-75 mph passing times. The engine gets a bit noisy during hard acceleration, but otherwise is smooth and quiet.

The manual transmission shifts slickly, and the responsive automatic has a manual-shift feature that is standard in the Touring and Grand Touring, optional in the Sport..

Estimated fuel economy of this 3,422- to 3,479-pound minivan is 22 mpg in the city and 28 on highways with the manual and and 21 and 27 with the automatic. Only 87-octane gasoline is needed.

The Mazda5 is a kick to drive. The variable-ratio electro-hydraulic power steering is quick and helps provide a tight turning circle. An all-independent suspension with front/rear anti-sway bars, stiff body and wide stance provide sharp handling.

A long 108-inch wheelbase helps assure a supple ride, and the brake pedal has a linear action for smooth stops.

It's unfortunate that the cleverly designed Mazda5 is largely overlooked. For many, it would be the perfect family car.