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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  "Enthusiast minivan" - 2009 Mazda Mazda5
  By Mike St. - July 3 - 9:46 am

  We bought ours in September, sold a 2002 Town and Country LXi, traded a 08 Honda Odyssey in on that. We were looking for something affordable, kind of needed a 3rd row seat at times, better gas mileage. Our Odyssey averaged 16mpg, the T&C 17mpg. This car averages 23, weve seen 27+ highway. The 5 speed manual is as easy as it gets to drive. The suspension tuning is 2nd to none, sucks up all bumps with aplomb. Brakes are fantastic, steering response is spot on. As you would expect, acceleration isnt a strong point, its about power to weight. Cant have MPG and HP it seems. We didnt like the 3s ride.

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  Car with Mini Van Features - 2012 Mazda Mazda5
  By jmr919 - June 29 - 10:16 am

  We just bought the Mazda5 Touring 2012 and researched this car quite a bit. We did not really want a true minivan however this car was more like a larger economy car with minivan features. So far so good.

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  Best people hauler for the money - 2012 Mazda Mazda5
  By roth4fun - June 17 - 4:43 am

  My wife and I shopped around for a month trying to find a replacement for our aging Odyssey. Wanted better gas mileage, room for 6, and best value for the money stayng in the low to mid $20k range. We found that in the Mazda 5. Was the first we test drove and the one we bought. Considered RAV-4 with 3rd row, Sedona with 3rd row, Dodge Journey, Odyssey, Traverse, Equinox, and others.

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  Impressive....but - 2007 Mazda Mazda5
  By rabbittracks - May 31 - 9:26 am

  It is a good car but....the interior color and fabric is terrible. Hard to clean up since everything sticks to it. No armrest for the passenger? Visors are tiny. Tires (Toyo)are terrible and dont last. Headlights are bad when going up and down hills. (Need driving lights to correct it.) Brakes are pretty good but had to have rotors turned already and warping again. The tilt column still doesnt help with your knees hitting the bottom of the column. Seats get a little uncomfortable on a trip. Tires that came with it are summer tires so check b4 you purchase if you live in a wintery climate.

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  Major problem - 2006 Mazda Mazda5
  By Steve - May 1 - 6:56 pm

  Major recall due to an exhaust/transmission design flaw which can cause the vehicle to catch on fire. After driving the car for three weeks, I have been without the car for almost six weeks while Mazda tries to fix the problem. Stay away from this vehicle until the bugs are worked out.

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  maintenance costs - beware - 2008 Mazda Mazda5
  By TKK - April 27 - 7:23 pm

  Have had the car almost two years. Every 30K miles maintenance runs $750! Cheap price to buy, with expensive maintenance. Wouldnt buy another Mazda for this reason. My past Hondas didnt require this much maintenance.

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  From a GTI to a Mazda 5 GT - 2009 Mazda Mazda5
  By Dan - April 11 - 4:16 am

  As a father of 4, it was finally time to move on from my little five speed VW GTI. We needed an alternative to my wifes Chevy Suburban that would fit the entire family, while getting decent gas mileage and being fun to drive. The Mazda 5 fits the bill. Got the Grand Touring in Silver with black leather. While the quality of materials is a definite step down from the VW, the car is a great value for the price. This car offers everything I need in a tidy and sporty package: room for six (with some compromises on the part of all), very well equipped for the price, good looks, he "wow, this is cool" factor from my daughters friends, solid handling. Very happy with my purchase!

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  Great MPV, but no SUV - 2007 Mazda Mazda5
  By Hansen - April 3 - 12:33 am

  We read all the great reviews regarding the Mazda5, and for the most part they are correct, but we live in Edmonton, Alberta, and we traded in an 03 Explorer for the 5. It was a mistake, but at least we have a vehicle that is less expensive to own and operate. We miss the 4WD, and the SUV is much better during the winter. We feel the Mazda5 is better than minivans we owned prior. The 5s heater is lacking and there is no rear heat, the low profile tires should be changed for winter tires, the car "skwacks" over bumps when it is cold. However in the summer this vehicle is fun, it gets great fuel economy, its practical, great to drive and easy to park.

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  Excellent minivan - 2012 Mazda Mazda5
  By jastin - March 12 - 2:02 am

  Have been driving the mazda 5 for 4 months and absolutely love it. Drive is awesome, little road noise (probably from OEM tire), handle wonderfully. Plenty of space for 4 adults and 2 children as we experienced (the two children rode in the bag seats, plenty of space for them there). A must buy if you want a nice minivan for a fair price, even my wife can stop raving about it.

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  I love this little van - 2006 Mazda Mazda5
  By robinnola - March 2 - 3:24 am

  I am very sad I dont see more Mazda 5s on the road, because this is a terrific car. Mazda doesnt seem to advertise them on the TV or radio, and I didnt even know they existed until I was car shopping and saw it in a newspaper ad. I will not own another car because this model is perfect for me. Im single and own a home and I can pretty much load anything into this car that a truck could carry. Ladders, Christmas trees, cabinets, 30 bags of mulch...friends. It is zippy and I dont find the acceleration slow--maybe Im not that kind of driver. It turns on a dime and at 75k miles, Ive not had a single issue with the car. Loads of room for me and my cats when we travel to PA from LA.