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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  "Right Sized Zoom-zoom" - 2006 Mazda Mazda5
  By Gerry - September 20 - 3:46 am

  Finally, a family friendly, smaller than a tugboat, affordable vehicle. The Mazda-5 will seat up to six (although rear seats for smaller folks), peppy enough to scoot through the hilly roads of W. Va. and Kentucky (recent road trip), yet still get better mileage than the EPA estimate. When rear seats are down, you have as much cargo room as some so called station wagons, plus more available height for larger items. All in all, a super value for less than $21000 ( including moonroof, fog lights, 6 disc CD, automatic climate control, projection headlamps, etc. - all standard on the touring package).

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  Nice Car! - 2007 Mazda Mazda5
  By Esteban - September 19 - 3:20 pm

  Impeccable ride, unbeeeelievable!!! amount of space 45sf with the 3rd row folded and more than 60sf with the 2nd row folded. (Compared to only 14sf of my previous Corolla.) I recently travel overseas and placed 5 big suitcases, 2 carryons and 1 stroller in the car without losing visibility and without folding the 2nd row of seats. Everything in the car is in the right place. Sporty engine and handling and loaded with options for the money. I definitely recommend this car for a young and growing family.

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  Just ... amazing! - 2006 Mazda Mazda5
  By David - September 15 - 11:50 am

  Its as if Mazda looked into the future, saw my family, its needs, and wants, and built a car around them. Seating room, extreme comfort, sporty performance, incredible handling, good gas mileage, good looks, great features and safety, and a ride that makes you feel like you are gliding over the road, with a low price tag. Its not only a sensible, but fun alternative to a soccer mom minivan. Mazda ... I love you!

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  New Mazda 2008 - 2008 Mazda Mazda5
  By bigbear54 - September 13 - 12:10 am

  I traded my 2006 Sport for a 2008 Touring and I really appreciate the improvements Mazda has made. My gas milage was approximately 25 mpg on the 06, since driving my 08 for the past month I have been averaging approximately 31 mpg back and forth to work and around town. I havent made a trip on the expressway so I do not know what the mileage will be for a long roaqd trip, but I imagine it would be up around 33 to 34 not bad.

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  bad suspension parts - 2009 Mazda Mazda5
  By gergis - September 3 - 9:11 pm

  I just spent 10k miles om my new certified Mazda 5 , then I should change all tire of my car as all of them were variable damaged from inward , and when I check this problem with dealer , told me I should change suspension parts of three of 4 wheels , It very strange to find that , if you want to buy this car , put in your mind 1- check alignment every few months 2- change tires every 11k to 13k miles , fix suspension parts yearly

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  Good Deal - 2006 Mazda Mazda5
  By Mike Murphy - September 3 - 9:00 pm

  Had a 1994 Grand Voyager, and wanted something smaller and sportier. I always liked the 1st generation Odyssey--big on the inside, small on the outside. The Mazdas dimensions are almost identical. I especially like the manual transmission. Others have complained its underpowered. I disagree--I think that we in the US are on a car "power-trip"--theres plenty of power here, esp. with the manual. Handling is surprisingly quite good--you only notice the weight and high center of gravity on high-speed curves. Ive consistently gotten 25 + mpg every tankful, with a combo city/highway driving (6085 miles), and the last several tanks have been 29-32 mpg. Love the car.

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  Great alternative - 2008 Mazda Mazda5
  By Dave - August 31 - 7:00 am

  Traded a 2004 Kia Sorento 4x4 and looked at over thirty different vehicles before purchasing the Mazda5. I feel it is without a doubt the best on the market for the price and features available. I would like to see auto locking/unlocking doors, power seats and tinted windows. Offer a turbo version and just try to keep these in stock.

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  BAD TIRES! - 2006 Mazda Mazda5
  By nlhjacob - August 24 - 9:30 pm

  Bought this car because it had extra seats and fair mpg...in comparison to others w/ extra seating. The tires are awful! Should not be on this car. They were replaced at 19,000 miles. Got new ones, rotated once, took in to rotate again and was told that they cant be rotated because my rims are bent and that would cause steering wheel vibration (to be worse than it already is). Rims get bent from potholes because the low profile tires on this car do not protect the rims. The tires/rims on this Mini-Van make this car a very bad purchase. If regular tires were on it, it would be a pretty good car, but theyre not so it is a very big mistake to buy a 5. Itll keep on costing you money!

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  GREAT car with a hidden bug - 2006 Mazda Mazda5
  By pcat007 - August 20 - 5:46 am

  Ive owned the 5 for more than 3 years, and the whole family (2 adults+2 young kids) loves it. I was looking for something spacious, minivan or larger wagon, with manual transmission. My previous car was a VW Eurovan with manual transmission, but the manual transmission is gone for current models. When I heard about the 5, it was an easy decision. I like everything about the car, except that if I dont drive it for a week, the battery is empty. The Mazda dealer couldnt find the bug, but replaced the battery a few times at no cost. Also, I expected better mileage and the AC is not great for people in the 3rd row. Other than that, fun to drive, lots of space, and inexpensive to maintain.

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  No more Mazda for me. - 2007 Mazda Mazda5
  By Mario - August 19 - 10:00 am

  I hope Mazda fixed the issue where the car has too much camber & causes rear wheels to wear quickly and cause excessive noise. Like on 2007 models. Weve gone through 3 sets of tires and the car only has 40,000 miles on it.