Mazda Mazda5

The Mazda5 is the second generation of the Mazda Premacy, which is a compact minivan manufactured and distributed since 1999 by Mazda, a Japanese automobile manufacturer. It is currently in its third generation. The Mazda Mazda5 received an 8.2 rating from U.S. News, and ranked 3^rd in the minivan category. U.S. News gave it the “Best Minivan for the Money” award. Critics are impressed that while it is small and inexpensive, it still offers a sporty performance.

Performance

The Mazda5 offers an athletic handling to go with an engaging performance that puts other minivans in its class to shame. U.S. News gave the Mazda5 an impressive 8.9 performance rating. It comes with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 157 horsepower. It also comes standard with a six-speed manual transmission, the only minivan you can get with a manual transmission. A five-speed automatic transmission is available as well. The best thing about the Mazda5’s performance is the way it handles; its small size make it feel nimble and quick when driving around the town, and it has tight body control. The four-wheel disc brakes provide solid stopping power.

Interior

U.S. News gives the Mazda5 a pedestrian 7.6 rating, mainly because of its lack of cargo space. It does not offer the nicest interior in its class, but it does have enough space for most families, and is nice enough considering its price. The Mazda5 seats six people in three rows. While the reduced price is definitely a bonus, it does come with a cost: the Mazda5 offers less available features than most other minivans. Standard features include cruise control, remote entry, and a six-speaker stereo with USB port and auxiliary input jack. Available features include a single-screen rear-seat DVD entertainment system, Bluetooth hands free phone, and heated front seats. It has 5.58 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, which increases to 44.4 cubic feet of space when the third row is folded down.

Pros/Cons

The Mazda5 offers excellent gas mileage: at 22 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway, it has the best fuel economy in its class. While highway driving can show how small the engine is, the Mazda5 has terrific handling, and has enough power to drive around town comfortably. It can still be used on the highway but drivers may need to stick to the right lane. Other performance negatives include a bumpy ride and a slow acceleration. The first two rows of the Mazda5 are spacious and comfortable, but the third row can be a bit tight, especially for adults. The rear sliding doors make it easy for passengers to get out or in, however. One of the biggest drawbacks to the Mazda5 is the lack of cargo space. Other competitors have more cargo space behind their third row than the Mazda5 offers in total.

Other Features

According to the Mazda website, the starting price for the Mazda Mazda5 is $19 940. Depending on what features the buyer chooses to add, this can increase to around $24 000, which makes it one of the most inexpensive vehicles in its class. While the Mazda5 has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS or NHTSA, Mazda released a statement saying they built the new van with better roof strength and a stronger body shell to provide better occupant protection. The Mazda5 has the usual safety features but lacks some of the advanced technology found on competitors. For example, buyers cannot add blind-spot monitors or a rearview camera.