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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  very pleased! - 2006 Mazda Mazda5
  By limey - July 12 - 5:00 pm

  Just purchased a new Mazda5. So far we are very pleased with it. It certainly is a lot nicer than the Volvo turbo we traded in.

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  very good car for small family - 2008 Mazda Mazda5
  By dandepriest - June 18 - 7:35 am

  To be honest, at my age, I kind of miss the roominess and lush comfort of the Chrysler Town and Country we once had. But for value, fuel economy, utility, and reliability I cant say Ive ever owned or even known of a better car than our Mazda 5 Grand Touring van. Weve put 50K miles on it over two years. A lot of long trips. Its a bit compact for a van but it does seat six comfortably, although two adults in the rear-most bench seat would eventually feel a bit cramped on a long trip. And with six people on an over-night trip there wont be much room for luggage so pack light. The manual indicates that the Mazda 5 is not designed for towing and that it should never be used for that. Howeve

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  Bought Brand new in Jan 2007 Let me tell you what I know to date! - 2006 Mazda Mazda5
  By goodnplenty - June 13 - 12:54 pm

  The tires are rediculous on this car, you have to rotate them with EVERY oil change because this car only requires you to get an oil change every 5,000-6,500 You cannot get non Mazda Shocks on this car and apparently noone but Mazda can seem to get the shock to work for than a 8months even if your machanic gets the shocks from mazda. I put after market shocks on my car from 2 diff. mecahnics and they both busted a block down the road. then they replaced them with Mazda shocks and they worked for a while, now Im waiting to see if Mazda will warranty the one that isnt good less than a year later. I drive my car about 60 miles a day back and forth on the Turnpike mostly highwy

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  Great vehicle for large families too! - 2008 Mazda Mazda5
  By jill reed - June 11 - 6:56 am

  We are a family of six and went from an Expedition to the Mazda5. Great car, we all fit very comfortably, no complaints there. The gas mileage rocks, very hard to find a sporty vehicle that fits the whole family and gets great gas mileage! Love it.

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  A Fun Ride - 2008 Mazda Mazda5
  By Joe Fagan - June 9 - 5:23 am

  Shopped around extensively, came back to the 5. Have a family of 5, 2 tweens, 1 teen fit just perfect. Good for new families and existing. Parked the Suburban for now. Have had the 5 for two months and cannot keep the wife out of it. For you guys that dont want to be seen in a mini van, this is the way to go. Great value for the price.

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  Mazda5 Review - 2009 Mazda Mazda5
  By kivo - May 30 - 4:43 pm

  Havent put much mileage on it, but so far I love this car. It handles great, and my mileage is good considering I have a scooter lift in the back with the scooter. Thats quite a bit of weight.

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  2006 Mazda MAZDA5 - 2006 Mazda Mazda5
  By Five Speed - May 22 - 1:23 pm

  Its been a little over two years and 32000 miles. My biggest downsides have been the factory Toyo A18 tires, which are noisy and, allow too much wheelspin when wet. Also, it requires a "running start" up steep unpaved hills in North Carolina but its OK on the flat grounds of Florida, although wheelspin, when wet, is easy with stick shift models. The weight distribution is 56/44 with auto and 55/45 with manual. You wouldnt want a trailer with this little front bias.

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  Great Mini-Van Alternative! - 2009 Mazda Mazda5
  By Luv2Vacation - May 14 - 8:16 am

  I purchased our Mazda 5 sport about a month ago with a Cash for Clunkers deal trading in a Kia Sedona. I wanted better gas mileage, and we didnt need quite as much space, but I didnt want to give up being able to carry extra people, or lots of stuff. This car was the perfect choice. I took it on a 600 mile trip a few days after I got it. We had no problem fitting my family and all of our stuff in it, and when we got there, we were able to fit the other family traveling with us in for short trips. My worst mpg so far has been 23 mpg around town on the first tank of gas. My best was 33 mpg, mostly highway driving on our trip. I have been averaging around 26 (mostly around town driving).

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  Great Concept - 2007 Mazda Mazda5
  By Michael K - May 8 - 8:20 pm

  In a class of its own as an much smaller alternative to a minivan. I love the car-like feeling, great visibility, smooth ride. I have had some quality issues, though. The transmission seems to slip occasionally, the drive wheels spin when starting on wet pavement, the suspension creaks in cold weather. I would buy one again anyway, as there in nothing else on the market that meets my needs like this vehicle.

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  Great car/van - 2008 Mazda Mazda5
  By mike - May 5 - 1:23 pm

  About 1.5 years of ownership now. Great reliable vehicle. We bought it as the perfect 4 person family car and then got a surprise #3 child and it is not perfect for that but its ok. I added a roof rack and cargo box and thats takes care of storage issues on long trips. I should add I got 28-29 mpg on a recent road trip fully loaded down , roof box on top, and bikes