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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  SUCH a great car! Hidden gem! - 2008 Mazda Mazda5
  By Hector - August 17 - 11:30 pm

  I really feel this is one gem of a car. It does so many things well that one wouldnt expect in a family car of this type. Its refined and performs well, yet its still economical and affordable. It handles like a much smaller sports car (Miata/MX-5 and 3 DNA immediately apparent), has good pick up, a nice ride, a quiet interior, many luxury features, safety, comfort, convenience, good fuel economy AND loads of style/good looks. Can you get any better? I drive my 5 with pride and sing "Zoom Zoom Zoom" in my head while doing so.

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  Downsizing - 2008 Mazda Mazda5
  By drumnow - August 16 - 3:06 pm

  Traded down (size wise) from a Chrysler town and country, also have Jeep Cherokee and Mazda miata. As far as size, there is a noticeable difference. Some things also seem cheap compared to the Chrysler. But we bought this car because of the price and gas mileage and sliding doors. Mostly for the gas mileage. Wish we could have found a galaxy grey with leather this late in the season.

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  Love my Mazda5! - 2006 Mazda Mazda5
  By NJ Mom - August 14 - 12:20 pm

  The Mazda5 drives like a car, has the storage capacity of our old gas guzzling Explorer when you fold all the seats flat in the 2nd & 3rd rows, and has the convenience of an ugly minivan with the sliding doors and 3rd row seats. Its larger than the Toyota Matrix but smaller and infinitely more attractive than the typical minivan. Its a great little car!

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  Fun vehicle. - 2007 Mazda Mazda5
  By benge - August 9 - 10:40 am

  This automobile is very responsive, engine feels tightly tuned, brakes feels excellent, and stereo quality is very good. The only thing I would do to this vehicle to improve it is maybe add a few more horsepower, say 200 or so, otherwise this is an excellent vehicle. I like it!!.

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  So far so good - 2006 Mazda Mazda5
  By Cory - August 1 - 8:00 am

  The 5 is a great alternative to a minivan. Six can fit in comfort but with little storage room in the rear. We usually have the rear seats down which provides plenty of space. The gas mileage is not as good as I had hoped. We average around 21-22. We did have problems with the sliding doors not shutting, the grease in the lock mechanism was replaced and it has worked fine since. The lack of a arm rest for the passenger is a common complaint. It is annoying when you are the passenger. The car could use some more storage cubbies. I would really like something below the gear shift. The rearview mirror often gets in the way (in the middle of the windshield).

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  Almost perfect - 2006 Mazda Mazda5
  By coaster - July 30 - 7:53 pm

  I traded in a 2002 Mercedes 4 cylinder with turbocharger for my Mazda5 and am really happy with my choice. It is more responsive, lighter in its reflexes, more fun to drive and much more comfortable. Very peppy acceleration from standstill. I wanted to sit higher since I am 62" tall and this car is very comfortable for my tall frame. Second row passengers also find the space is excellent. I dont use the third row. Yes, at 70 miles per hour the motor is revving fast but it never feels pushed. In fact, I always felt I had to push the Mercedes but I coast along happily in the Mazda. Sound system in touring version is excellent. Perfect car for a trip to the supermarket or long road trip

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  On the fence - 2012 Mazda Mazda5
  By maeby101 - July 21 - 6:50 am

  Ive had this car for almost a year and 10.5k miles. There are many things I like about it, but I would trade it in if I could. I was coming from an 05 Outback, which had its share of problems over 100k miles, but I loved that car from the start. I cant say the same about the 5. I chose this car because of the ability to put an adult in the backseat with our two little kids. But we only need to do this on long trips, which is maybe twice a year. I miss having AWD (though the 5 was fine with winter tires in last years very mild winter). Something about it just feels cheap. After 10k miles, one of the sliding doors has begun to rattle at slow speeds. Thats just wrong.

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  Best 6 passenger... period - 2008 Mazda Mazda5
  By TampaRon - July 18 - 5:50 am

  I love this car. It is by far the most under appreciated car on the road. Even though its been out for a while people look at it and dont know what it is. Its fun to drive, economical, practical and sporty enough to have fun in the mountains of NC which I visit often. The adjustable second row seats are great.

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  Still Love to drive my MAzda 5 - 2009 Mazda Mazda5
  By Mazda5 lover - July 14 - 8:20 pm

  I got my Mazda 5 in October, 2009, and I have already put 21,000 miles on it. Just love to drive it everyday. Our 6 and 11 yr old girls particularly love the bucket seats that my 5 comes with. They said they prefer riding in my 5 than my wifes Lexus GS. Good acceleration and I average about 26-28 mpg which is a lot better than the SUV that I traded in. I have driven several different Japanese made vehicles in the past years, but this is my first Mazda. I truly believe that Mazda do make great cars like the old RX7s and Miata (which I had only driven, but never owned). I am planning to put in 150,000 miles on my 5 before even thinking about getting another car.

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  Great if you love to purchase tires !! - 2006 Mazda Mazda5
  By kd3004 - July 13 - 6:23 pm

  I was excited about this car at first because of the manual option with six passenger seating. That was short lived once I realized that this car gets horrible gas mileage for a 4cyl. I average around 20mpg. This is a 50/50 combo of highway/city. Then, the tires/suspension/alignment problems... I am at 67,000 and bout to purchase my 3rd set of tires! This will be the fourth set on the car itself. I had suspension problems right away and it was taken to the dealer 5-6 times. The last time I thought it had been fixed!! The noise was gone!! But the tire wear was unreal!! Buyer beware!! Factor in yearly tire replacement!!!