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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  Get a Honda instead - 2007 Mazda Mazda5
  By sofienyc - December 16 - 3:10 am

  Please look elsewhere for a family van. You will encounter cheap materials, uncomfortable seating and a noisy rear suspension with no fix from Mazda. It does get good gas mileage but besides that it is only good for short trips to the store under 30 minutes or so, otherwise it is not a car you would want to take on a long trip. It does hold a lot of stuff but the noises it makes will think you bought a used Yugo! Stay away from it

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  Hybrid, please - 2007 Mazda Mazda5
  By RBubp - December 14 - 12:30 am

  I love my Mazda 5. I cant understand why Mazda doesnt market it (at all!), but it is incredibly fun to drive for a versatile wagon/van with lots of smart touches. It does miss on a couple of things - front seats dont go back far enough, gas mileage really should be better - but considering there really is no other car like it, these are minor quibbles.

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  Review # 3 - 2006 Mazda Mazda5
  By Review # 3 - November 30 - 2:46 pm

  Its been almost two years and 28000 miles and still going strong. The weight distribution provides excellent steering and braking response but the biggest weakness is the front wheel drive traction. I would like to see "high profile" MAZDA5s with all wheel drive, choices of six speed manual or continously variable automatic transmissions and lower final drive ratios for hilly and/or snowy states. Nothing else is like the MAZDA5 and these features whould make a good car a great car.

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  Mazda5 GT (Canada) - 2008 Mazda Mazda5
  By D. Ricard - November 11 - 11:56 am

  Practical every-day car that handles great and has a few interesting standard features such as rain sensing wipers, automatic headlamps and Bluetooth. Overall, good value for money.

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  Mazda5 Sport; The jury is still out - 2008 Mazda Mazda5
  By PFZ - November 9 - 12:56 am

  Bought "Zoom-zoom" 10 days ago to replace a 1992 Mitsubishi Expo 2.4 which died a natural mechanical death. The Expo beat this Zoom-zoom hands down for roominess, steering, visibility. Zoom-zooms SMALL third side window prevents decent rear visibility for backing up. From the front seats the front of the car is out of sight, the shifting console lights are misplaced, the steering wheel covers the top third of the speed indicator dial, the key is built into remote control case. The outside trim is too close to the ground. The lack of separate bumpers look like an attempt at profiteering. My ratings reflect lack of trust rather than long standing observations.

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  Fun to see, fun to drive - 2006 Mazda Mazda5
  By coolmazda5 - November 2 - 1:50 am

  I wanted a sporty car but my wife didnt. Once we saw the Mazda5 we found the perfect balance. Very European for American style taste, but that makes it stand out of the crowd.

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  Mazda5 Notes - 2008 Mazda Mazda5
  By KHS - November 1 - 1:00 am

  Traded my Volvo 940 Wagon for the Mazda5 GT. Use primarily for business. I need cargo room, and hate SUVs. First, the gas mileage is awesome... 39 mpg on my recent road trip. Easy vehicle to work from. Sliding doors help. No mechanical issues, noises, squeaks or rattles. Really solid car. However, I miss the comfort of my Volvo. The seat bottoms are too short, and too narrow. The climate controls are way too complicated. The gas & brake pedals are too close together. As others have noted, the interior plastics are poor quality, and scuff easily. Storage is sparse. Map pockets in the doors are preferred to the bottle holders. There is a storage pocket behind the drivers seat only.

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  22500K 06 Mazda5 - 2006 Mazda Mazda5
  By 22, 500K 06 Mazda5 - October 25 - 10:40 pm

  Had the car for 2.5 years. Really like the car. Agree with most of the other reviews, needs better tires, stronger A/C, 5th gear(overdrive)and interior light switch from drivers seat. Approx. 22mpg city/ 26-28mpg highway, thought I would get a little more. Overall satisfied with the car for the money!

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  Just What We Wanted - 2006 Mazda Mazda5
  By Jay - October 25 - 8:30 am

  This was the perfect car for us, because of its unique combination of space efficiency and economy. I also wanted a standard transmission - which is not available on any traditional, larger minivan. Power is adequate, but I believe the car would benefit from a slightly larger engine. I knew before buying that the AC was a little weak, so I had the windows professionally tinted at a reasonable cost. Weve had no problem with keeping the car cool, even though - at least for the year we have - there are no ducts for passengers behind the driver. Our driving styles and routes are easy on gas, so the approximate 28 - 29 mpg we average is unlikely to be bettered.

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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.