Overview & Reviews

Compact minivans have been popular for years in Europe and Japan, where families find them useful for dealing with narrow streets, limited parking and high fuel prices. Attempts by import-label automakers to bring these "super space wagons" to U.S. shores in the early 1990s were largely unsuccessful, however, because Americans were more interested in modern SUVs and large minivans. But once rising gas prices led some buyers to downsize from larger vehicles, Mazda decided that a truly "mini" minivan might again have a chance with U.S. consumers.

The result is the Mazda 5 compact minivan. Although it's significantly smaller than other minivans on the market, the Mazda 5 provides six-passenger capacity along with the distinctive look and sporty handling for which Mazda is known. For buyers who need affordable, relatively fuel-efficient family transportation that's particularly easy to maneuver in traffic and a snap to park, the Mazda 5 is a strong choice.

Current Mazda 5
There are three trim levels of this compact minivan: base Sport, midlevel Touring and high-line Grand Touring. The Sport includes automatic climate control with rear-seat controls, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, full power accessories and a six-speaker stereo with a USB port. The Touring gets you foglights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a trip computer and Bluetooth phone/audio. The Grand Touring adds xenon headlights, automatic wipers, leather upholstery, heated front seats, a sunroof and satellite radio. Options include a navigation system and a rear-seat entertainment system.

For power, the Mazda 5 comes with a 2.5-liter inline-4 engine that produces 157 horsepower and 163 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is standard on the Sport, while a five-speed automatic is optional on the Sport and standard on the other trims.

The 5's front seats are comfortable, though taller folks may wish for more rearward seat travel. The second-row captain's chairs slide and recline, and feature a pop-up center table and storage space that can be stowed away to allow a path to the third row. The smallish third row is best suited for kids but is easier to get into than most any larger crossover's last row. The van's sliding rear doors mean easy access, particularly in parking lots. Even with the second row in use and the third row folded down, there are still 44 cubic feet of cargo capacity available.

In Edmunds testing, we've found that the Mazda 5 can occasionally feel underpowered, such as when climbing steeper grades or while carrying a full load of passengers and cargo. It has the same refined engine we've praised in the past in the Mazda 3, but it's just not powerful enough to move a heavier van around at higher speeds with much authority. Its fuel economy is also unremarkable by four-cylinder standards, though it's still better than any minivan's V6 can manage.

On the bright side, these criticisms are pretty minor. In daily use, the 5 proves comfortable, easy to drive and both more agile and easier to park than a typical minivan, which is something to consider for those who don't really need all the space of a bigger van.

Used Mazda 5 Models
The second-generation Mazda 5 debuted for 2012. Compared to the earlier Mazda 5, it sports swoopier styling, more comfortable seating and a bit more power.

The first-generation Mazda 5 was introduced for the 2006 model year and ran until 2010. This compact minivan offered sliding side doors and seating for six within a relatively small footprint. Powered by a 2.3-liter inline-4 with 153 hp, most versions were fitted with a four- or five-speed automatic, although a five-speed manual was available on lower trims.

Initial trim levels consisted of base Sport and uplevel Touring, with perks of the latter including a sunroof, automatic climate control and an upgraded MP3-compatible stereo with an in-dash CD changer. A navigation system was optional for the Touring. The following year, the range-topping Grand Touring model debuted with its many luxury niceties.

For 2008, the Mazda 5 received revised front and rear styling and a new center control panel. Electroluminescent gauges were also added that year, along with rear seat air vents and controls, additional flip-down armrests and an auxiliary audio jack. Another thing to note is that Mazda 5 models prior to 2008 featured a four-speed automatic rather than the five-speed unit, resulting in lower fuel economy. Lastly, stability control wasn't available until 2010, when it came onboard as standard equipment.

User Reviews:

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  37000 miles - 2006 Mazda Mazda5
  By 37000 miles - May 13 - 7:36 pm

  Another thing, that would improve, the MAZDA5, is, better, tires. My, original, Toyo A18s were good, for 33000 miles, but, they were noisy and spun, too easily, when wet. I replaced, them, with, Bridgestone Serenity, 215/50R 17 95V, tires. The, higher, load index, makes, them, feel, less, vulnerable, less, wet, wheelspin and are a, little, quieter, although, a little, less, sporty, great, for highway driving or dirt roads. The, original, tires, seemed, vulnerable, on a dirt road.

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  Great Value! - 2007 Mazda Mazda5
  By Kim - May 8 - 8:26 pm

  The Mazda5 is a great care for the money! It handles the road really well and has a great turning radius so it is easy to fit into smaller parking spaces!! It also gets great gas mileage. The only problem we had, and thought we might, is the low profile tires. They dont absorb much shock so if you happen to hit a big pothole, it will probably bend your wheel. (this happened to us) Also one of the tires is wearing from the inside out. We will replace the wheel and get better tires. Hopefully this will not be a repetitive problem.

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  Nearly perfect for my purpose - 2009 Mazda Mazda5
  By MindDrive - May 8 - 10:00 am

  I needed a good vehicle, nothing fancy, that would fit my large music keyboards, but not be a monster truck. Mazda 5 is a "micro-minivan" (hip term for station wagon.) It has room for two adults up front, 2½ adults in the back (typical nonsense about a 3rd adult in the back, no way,) and 2 kids all the way in the back. The 4 back seats fold down for a lot of cargo room. All this and it still drives like a car. It is well configured overall.

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  Perfect for husband, wife and three kids - 2008 Mazda Mazda5
  By theescarletandgray - April 28 - 7:20 pm

  I am 63" tall and wanted to get better gas mileage than my Aztek, but I didnt want to sacrifice a ton of leg room. My wife and I shopped for a RAV4, but the lack of leg room scared me away, specifically around the knees. The Mazda 5 has good leg room and is comfortable. My children can easily open and close the sliding doors. With a new child on the way one of the two other children is already looking forward to the third row. With the third row folded down there is plenty of storage space. When people are in the third row there is very little room, only enough for an umbrella stroller. This car is perfect for my daily commute. It is great for short jaunts or day trips.

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  Not a winter vehicle!! - 2009 Mazda Mazda5
  By Zepppo - April 24 - 7:23 pm

  WE bought the Mazda 5 as it offers 6 seats without the bulk of a real mini-van. The design of the vehicle is good, but it feels a little "flimsy" compared to our Honda CRV. Gas mileage is good (again, compared to a minivan) and its a pretty peppy ride. The biggest problem is driving on snow and ice, however (I live in AB,Canada). To compensate for the lack of oomph Mazda designed the manual gearbox with very "short" gears. First gear has so much torque that you can barely start moving without the wheels spinning! We bought Michelin X-Ice2 tires which helped a bit, but its still not fun driving this vehicle on snow and ice. For a winter environment this is definitely not the right choice

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  impressive value for the money - 2009 Mazda Mazda5
  By Missouri Mule - April 15 - 9:40 am

  compared to Rondo and selected Mazda based on past experience with MPV. Great value for money considering flexibility and features; kids love the folding table in second row, hidden storage under seat is smart, could use another inch of legroom for my left leg but vehicle is still comfortable to drive; vehicle is primary driven by my wife who just loves the car. Mileage is strong, have gotten as high as 31 mpg on highway; hills of Ozarks bring mileage down but still does very well. would prefer 16 inch wheels and maybe an inch taller, but hard to complain about the value. Structure seems tight and well built. very easy to load and unload. road noise better than mpv, which was reliable2

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  Great Car - 2008 Mazda Mazda5
  By AdoboDude - April 14 - 6:33 am

  Bought the car on Dec 31, 2007. 2008 Mazda 5 GT. Power is adequate. Acceleration is ok, handling is superb, great gas mileage. About 23-25 mpg in LA traffic, but I did log 31 mpg going to San Francisco with 3 adults and 2 kids. Took me a long time to decide between the new CRV to the 5, but I sincerely believe that I made the right choice.

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  6 month review - 2008 Mazda Mazda5
  By Mark - April 6 - 8:53 pm

  Well we have had our 2008 mazda5 sport for over 6 mos now and figured it was time to give our thoughts. First living in a snowy, hilly area the winter handling and hill climbing power are both average at best. It lags at hill climbing, especially at highway speeds. Fuel efficiency has been pretty good maybe even a little better than rated. The interior design is very accommodating &comfortable. The rear seats are easy to fold/unfold and the design of the controls is very intuitive. Cargo space with the third row up is minimal but with it down we can easily fit our two week groceries and more in the back. Reliability has been perfect so far. Black interior impossible to keep clean.

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  Fun car - 2007 Mazda Mazda5
  By Damo - March 29 - 1:16 am

  It is a great car to have and drives well. Passenger seat in the front can use a hand rest. Gets low on boot space if you use all third row seats. Mileage is not so great as promised.

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  Great so far - 2009 Mazda Mazda5
  By fatherof1 - March 20 - 10:06 am

  After having our first baby in June and we decided it was time for a family vehicle. She wasnt sold on the 5 at first because she likes her "small, sporty, sedans". I knew all along that what she wants is no longer practical, so I let her test drive the Mazda 3 first. Reality set in when we put the baby seat in the back of the 3. Our leg room was definitely compromised. Next we test drove the 5 and she quickly realized the 5 was most practical for our new family. This was a tough one considering my father is a retired GM employee and am eligible for the GM discount. We wanted a vehicle suits our needs now and is fuel efficient. Unfortunately, GM doesnt carry a vehicle like the 5