Vehicle Tested
| 2012 Mazda 5 Touring
Base Price: $21,195
At-Tested Price: $23,180
Built in Japan.
Options
Moonroof & Audio Package
Rear-Bumper Guard
Engine: 2.5-liter I4
Transmission: 5-Speed Automatic
Drive Wheels: Front-Wheel Drive
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From its trend-setting MX-5 Miata to unconventional RX-8, Japanese automaker Mazda has always tried to be a little different. Take, for example, the Mazda 5. with twin-sliding side doors, three rows of seats, typical wagon design, it looks like a traditional minivan Only when you actually measure the Mazda 5 against traditional minivan competition do you see the differences.
The 5 has a wheelbase of 108.3 inches and an overall length of just 180.5 inches. A typical minivan has wheelbase that's ten inches longer and a length that's more than 20 inches longer. Even more telling is the 5's overall cargo capacity of 97.9 cubic feet. The Honda Odyssey has a cargo capacity of more than 170 cubic feet.
What does this tell us? The Mazda 5 really isn't a minivan. It's a compact wagon with three rows of seats that offers six-passenger capacity. Unlike other compact wagons, the 5 comes with minivan-trademark sliding side doors and sliding and folding rows of seats.
For 2012 Mazda redesigns the 5, giving it fresh interior and exterior styling and a more powerful engine. Sport, mid-level Touring, and top-line Grand Touring trim levels return. All get a new 157-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. That engine replaces a 153-horsepower 2.3-liter four. Sport versions have a six-speed manual transmission. Available on the Sport and standard on the others is a five-speed automatic. All models have front-wheel drive.
Standard safety features include antilock four-wheel disc brakes, stability control, traction control, tire-pressure monitoring system and dual-front, front-side and curtain-side airbags. Rear-view monitor and park assist are not offered.
The manual-equipped Sport lists for $19,195 and the automatic Sport is $20,195. Standard equipment includes automatic climate control, air conditioning with second-row vents, center console storage compartment, second-row fold out tray, cruise control, tilt-telescope steering-wheel with audio and cruise controls, AM/FM/CD/MP3 six-speaker audio system with auxiliary input jack, keyless entry, power windows, power door locks, power mirrors, rear defogger, variable-intermittent windshield wipers, rear wiper/washer, three 12-volt power outlets, outside temperature indicator, floormats, P205/55R16 tires and alloy wheels.
The Touring lists for $21,196 and adds to the Sport leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, rear spoiler, side-sill extensions, Bluetooth cell-phone and audio connection, trip computer and P205/50R15 tires. The Grand Touring has a sticker price of $23,875 and adds to the Touring leather upholstery, heated front seats, driver-seat lumbar support, six-disc CD changer, Sirius satellite radio, automatic on/off HID headlamps, heated mirrors, rain sensing wipers, sunroof and anti-theft system.
Options are limited. Available on the Touring is a sun and sound package that includes the in-dash six-disc CD changer, Sirius satellite radio and sunroof. Available for all models is Crystal White Pearl paint and a rear bumper guard. The Mazda 5 is assembled in Japan and has a $795 destination charge.
Get Up and Go The power boost for 2012 is most noticeable when accelerating from a stop. Though never really quick, the Mazda 5 moves out with more authority than most four-cylinder compact wagons and will accelerate from 0-60 mph in about nine seconds. Passing power is less impressive though, where a deep stab at the throttle is required to get up to speed when merging.
The automatic transmission shifts smoothly and without notice. When called upon to downshift for more power, there's a slight hesitation, but no more than in most competitors. The manual shift gate is a nice touch in this class and gives drivers more flexibility when carrying heavy loads or going up or down steep hills.
The automatic-equipped Mazda 5 is EPA rated at 21 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. Those numbers are on par with similar front-drive compact wagons but are significantly better than average numbers for a typical minivan. Mazda says the 5 will run fine on regular-grade gasoline.
Real-world driving is likely to yield about 22 mpg overall, perhaps as high as 25 mpg if your daily commute includes lots of highway driving. Straight highway cruising will easily match the EPA's 28 mpg rating.
On the Road The Mazda 5 favors ride comfort over handling. That's a good thing because this vehicle is intended to be a people mover, not a slalom racer. The suspension does a good job of softening large bumps and isolating passengers from minor pavement imperfections and expansion joints. Occasionally, a large dip or bump will jolt passengers, but that's only when taken at high speeds.
Never sporty feeling, even on the top-line Grand Touring with the 17-inch rubber, the Mazda 5 is a competent vehicle featuring nicely weighted accurate steering and reassuring brakes. When speeds pick up and the road grows twisty, the 5 has too much body lean and understeer. Despite slab-sided styling, the 5 is quite stable on windy days.
Overall, the Mazda 5 offers a fair blend of ride comfort and handling prowess. It will never be confused with a sports car or even a sporty car, but it's still competent and comfortable--striking that sweet spot that most buyers favor.
Quiet around town, the open design of the interior exacerbates road, engine and wind noise on the highway. Though not objectionable, the 5 isn't as quiet as larger minivans but on par with compact wagon competitors.
Behind the Wheel Interior materials are class appropriate and no more. The design is simple and straightforward. Stepping up to the Grand Touring lends an air of luxury with its leather seating surfaces and upgraded interior trim.
The 5's clean interior design leads to easy-to-read gauges and an uncluttered center stack. However, the display screen for the radio and climate control is placed high in the center of the dashboard, though it's easy to read, it requires shifting your eyes from the control you are operating to the screen for verification. In addition, it features audio, climate and trip computer information, so it can be somewhat of a jumble. Automatic climate control is standard and it's one of the easiest systems to program. There are also controls to send more air to the rear seats. Though not a true two-zone climate-control system, it's a workable solution for a smaller vehicle.
The front seats are somewhat undersized and lack enough cushioning for long-haul comfort or spirited driving. Headroom is exceptional. Taller drivers will have to deal with limited seat travel, necessitating a knees-up driving position. Outward visibility is good to all directions and the tilt-telescope steering wheel and height-adjustable seat aid in finding a comfortable driving position.
The 5 offers exceptional second-row head room and leg room--if the seats are moved all the way back. The twin bucket seats are comfortable and adult size. There's little room, though, to squeeze between the seats to get into the third row. That's best handled by utilizing a slide-and-fold feature that moves the second-row seats out of the way.
Speaking of the third-row seats, they are child sized and not really intended for adult use. Head and leg room are tight and the seat-back cushions are very short. The second- and third-row seats fold, and the second-row buckets recline and slide fore and aft to benefit leg room in either the second or third row.
Overall cargo space falls well short of the minivan standard, but is appropriate for a vehicle of this size. Folding down the second- and third-row seats creates a long but uneven load floor that has a few gaps that makes for loading and unloading tricky. There are hidden storage bins beneath the rear-cargo floor and under the second-row seats. Interior storage is plentiful with lots of covered and open storage bins throughout.
Bottom Line If you expect the Mazda 5 to be a mini-minivan, you might not be so happy. The third-row seats aren't very comfortable and there's just not enough overall room. Still, it's every bit as versatile as a minivan and that gives it a leg up against its compact crossover and wagon competitors.
Mazda's made significant improvements for 2012 including full Bluetooth support, a larger engine and a more functional interior. Fuel economy numbers are better as well. Starting prices are low and even a fully-quipped Touring sells for less than $24,000. At that price, it's a steal in this class.
Specifications 2011 Mazda 5 Touring
| Dimensions
| 4-door wagon
| Engine
| DOHC I4
| Wheelbase, in.
| 108.3
| Size, liters/cu. in.
| 2.5 / 152
| Length, in.
| 180.5 | Horsepower @ rpm
| 157 @ 6000
| Width, in.
| 68.9
| Torque (lb.-ft.) @ rpm
| 163 @ 4000
| Height, in.
| 63.6
| Transmission
| 5-Speed Automatic
| Weight, lbs.
| 3457
| EPA Estimates, mpg
| 21 city / 28 highway
| Cargo Capacity, cu. ft.
| 97.9 |
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| Fuel Capacity, gals.
| 15.9
| Manufacturer's Warranty
| Seating Capacity
| 6
| Bumper-to-Bumper
| 3 years / 36,000 miles
| Front Head Room, in.
| 40.7
| Powertrain
| 6 years / 60,000 miles
| Front Leg Room, in.
| 40.7
| Corrosion
| 5 years / Unlimited miles
| Second-Row Head Room, in.
| 39.4
| Free Roadside Assistance
| 3 years / 36,000 miles
| Second-Row Leg Room, in.
| 39.4
| Free Scheduled Maintenance
| None
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