Overview & Reviews

After significant updates last year, the 2009 Mazda 5 sees no major changes.

• More nimble and maneuverable than full-size minivans, convenient dual sliding doors, manageable size for small families, low price.

• Stability control not available, kids-only third row, no second-row bench option, engine can run out of steam when fully loaded.

User Reviews:

Showing 31 through 40 of 81.00

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  versatile mini - 2009 Mazda Mazda5
  By tadpole - April 14 - 9:16 pm

  I drove this car for about a month. The mileage for the first trip was weird. On the 400 miles highway trip, I got 37 mpg. This is far exceeded the manufacturer claim. On the last leg of the trip about 90 miles a got 22 mpg. This is really weird since its all on highway with the same road and traffic condition. I cannot explain the wide discrepancy. The second trip on the same road, the mileage was about 33 mpg. The interior material is a bit on the cheap side. The plastic scratches easily and the cloth material is not up to standard with Honda or Toyota. I got this for $17.2k, I am not sure this is a good deal.

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  Nice alternative to a full-sized minivan - 2009 Mazda Mazda5
  By Chuck - December 21 - 12:33 am

  We were in the market for a new car that would work with two small children, and were cringing at the thought of buying a large minivan or an SUV. The Mazda5 is a nice alternative at a nice price. We bought the top of the line Grand Touring for less than the base models of a minivan. The car has adequate acceleration, nice handling, and plenty of room for two adults and two kids. The third row works for short trips with adults if needed. Im 6 2 and have tolerated short trips in the third row. There is plenty of headroom, but seats are really just for kids or small adults.

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  2009 Red Touring - 2009 Mazda Mazda5
  By pat555 - September 21 - 9:23 am

  Got the vehicle for 2 weeks. It has plenty of power thanks to the extra gear, and it handles well. It is easy to park, thanks to the large side mirrors. It stops quickly, but with a noticeable nose dip. The sliding doors and the hatch are easy to close. The vehicle accommodates two car seats easily. The back seat is fine for small adult or teenager without a growth spurt.

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  Great except for two defects... - 2009 Mazda Mazda5
  By brammer - September 19 - 8:03 pm

  The vehicle is fun to drive and has versatile seating / storage configurations. Mileage is reasonable. Two big drawbacks though, the rear suspension and the rear bushings. At 50000 km of mostly single passenger commuting, we are already on our third set of rear shocks. The bushings (at least thats what I think they are) creak very loudly in warm weather. It sounds like a horse drawn wagon lumbering down a dirt road.

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  tremble - 2009 Mazda Mazda5
  By Cap - July 27 - 11:13 am

  Couple months into my purchase i noticed the car starts to shake. The rear shock then went so i got it replaced but the shaking has continued. Its nothing violent but just noticeable enough to be really annoying, especially for a brand new car. I took it in again and they said i had tar on the tire..Well i have since had the tires rebalanced and rotated but it still shakes..It may even be the engine cause it shakes a little bit at idle..I dont know if its just my mazda or if this is just how the car drives. What i do know is that once the warranty is up, i am getting rid of it cause i dont trust it. It gets about 24-26 mpg btw..

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  Small minivan or large station wagon? - 2009 Mazda Mazda5
  By PeterK - March 8 - 10:13 pm

  My family of 3 soon to be 4 needed to upgrade from our Civic to be able to carry two car seats some cargo and maybe grandma every now and then. We desperately did not want to end up in a mini van and despite what some categorize Mazda 5 as we love the sliding doors which allow pain-free baby loading into the car seat. Cargo room with the third row folded is sufficient but when the seats are up you cant even fit your groceries. Gas mileage is in the area of 24 MPG with mixed driving, enough power to propel 4 adults and a baby on any road or hill. Highly recommended to those who need larger vehicle but want to remain environmentally friendly.

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  Disappointing build quality - 2009 Mazda Mazda5
  By doccarman - November 22 - 1:12 am

  Bought the 5 for its versatility and fun to drive factor. However, the build quality stinks and has soured me on the car. Ill dismiss the fact that the factory tires were shot after 20K as being just the typical cheap OEM tires. What I cant forgive is: -Power steering pump failing -Constant companionship of suspension squeaks and rattles -Cracking and squeaking sounds from windshield on cold days -Blown left rear strut at 28K -Blow right rear strut at 35K -Broken gas cap (stuck on car with nearly empty tank) at 15K -Bluetooth that fails to connect 90% of the time, despite several attempts at reset -Seat heaters with two settings - either on or off Longer I keep it, the less I like it.

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  Fun Factor Vehicle - 2009 Mazda Mazda5
  By Drey230 - September 22 - 3:56 am

  My wife and I have a newborn. We needed a second car besides our Corolla and agreed that the main requirement of a new car was the fun factor. This car is a lot of fun from playing musical chairs between cargo, people, and space, its cool. The ride is pretty cool too! I agree with most that a few more horses under the hood would be nice, but Im OK because I like my gas mileage low. Handles well & looks great! No one ever knows what a Mazda5 is when you tell them but once they see it and ride in it, they become fans! We are young parents and knew this was a great car for our family but its also a hit with friends parents night off. Who said you have to drive a Scion or Mini to be cool these days.

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  compromise for big rewards - 2009 Mazda Mazda5
  By vicenac - August 14 - 11:30 pm

  To fit 3 rows of seats in this little vehicle, some corners, or knees have to be cut. Make sure you fit in, take full advantage of the telescoping steering wheel and youll get an exciting vehicle. Its easy to park, VERY nimble and accelerates quickly with the 5 gear transmission. I see it as a Swiss Army Knife. Small and versatile. How many times did I say small? Not enough! I am 6.1 and my wife is 5.7. The driver seat is all the way back. We have an infant carrier behind us, which is way longer than a car seat or regular person, so that seat is also all the way back. There would not be much leg room left in the third row seat. But there are 3 people seating on the right side of the car

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  "Enthusiast minivan" - 2009 Mazda Mazda5
  By Mike St. - July 3 - 9:46 am

  We bought ours in September, sold a 2002 Town and Country LXi, traded a 08 Honda Odyssey in on that. We were looking for something affordable, kind of needed a 3rd row seat at times, better gas mileage. Our Odyssey averaged 16mpg, the T&C 17mpg. This car averages 23, weve seen 27+ highway. The 5 speed manual is as easy as it gets to drive. The suspension tuning is 2nd to none, sucks up all bumps with aplomb. Brakes are fantastic, steering response is spot on. As you would expect, acceleration isnt a strong point, its about power to weight. Cant have MPG and HP it seems. We didnt like the 3s ride.