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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  Great SUV alternative - 2006 Mazda Mazda5
  By frank4cars - May 18 - 11:36 am

  After test-driving dozens of hatchbacks, wagons, and small sport utes over the past few months and not finding anything that felt "just right," this vehicle appeared out of nowhere at my local Mazda dealer. Small on the outside for easy parking, large on the inside for people or stuff-hauling, car-based for better economy and sure-footed handling, but with a high, commanding seating position like the best SUVs -- this met all my needs. I think Mazda should be praised for introducing Americans to the kind of vehicles that Europeans and Asians have been buying for years but other manufacturers were scared to sell here.

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  Dads Cool Car - 2008 Mazda Mazda5
  By Kevin - May 14 - 5:50 pm

  I needed a roomy vehicle to accommodate our new baby (and all the stuff that comes along too) as well as provide good gas mileage for commuting 60 miles per day for work. Seeing as a manual transmission is almost a requirement for me, my choices were limited. I compared the Mazda5 to a few mid-size sedans and found that none could compare in terms of space or price. My wife, who always swore she would never drive a minivan, loves it so much that she now wants to learn how to drive a manual so that she can drive my car instead of her CR-V. Our baby loves it too :) The 5 is so fun to drive that I feel like Im driving a sporty car, not a Micro-Van - great mix of fun and practicality.

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  Wow Zoom Zoom Zoom - 2006 Mazda Mazda5
  By Jo Bhiho - April 27 - 1:10 am

  Comfort, butter like smoothness, agile, modern looks, true to fun-to-drive philosophy, good mileage. Have this car since Feb. and is really a pleasure to drive. Suddenly those long boring trips have become something that I look forward to. It is a van but not exactly, drives like a sports car. I initially drove the MPV but after getting behind the steering of this one, made an instant decision. I found what one normally would expect from Honda/Toyota. This is a very practical car and the. I have the Sport with A/T, 6 CD and nothing else - dont need anything.

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  Just Perfect!!! - 2006 Mazda Mazda5
  By Richard - April 25 - 3:20 pm

  This car suits us nicely. Excellent handling & braking, fun to drive, Sleek design inside out. One of my friends thought this was a hybrid car. Very flexible seating configurations and tons of standard equipments which are found on much more expensive cars.

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  Its a van! A wagon! Its a sports car! - 2007 Mazda Mazda5
  By disneyguy - April 23 - 2:16 pm

  We bought a 06 for my wife, I liked it and bought one for me. Still the best value out there...Mazda has to be losing money on selling these. Loaded, all the safety stuff, all of the goodies, nice looking, versatile, very well built.

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  I am not a soccer mom! - 2006 Mazda Mazda5
  By Heather - April 4 - 12:56 pm

  I love my car! I am not someone who is into cars so it surprises me how much I enjoy driving it. We took a family vacation and drove 1600 miles round trip with 2 small children and it handled well and was just the right size. I havent seen any others on the road and I am shocked. The price is excellent!

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  A Great Station Wagon for Winter Fun - 2006 Mazda Mazda5
  By Skiier4 - March 24 - 8:23 am

  I drive extensively on snow and ice in northern Minnesota so winter performance is important. I switched to Nokian WR All Weather tires which improved summer performance, reduced road noise and made the car a complete joy to drive in the winter. I am running Mobile1 which improved winter starting and fuel economy slightly. Controls are good but are easy to bump with gloved hands. Ventilation is fair. Accelerator pedal space is tight for a boot. Overall the vehicle has been very flexible and reliable with a few warranty items including exhaust heat build up, rear sliding door locks freeze, cold weather squeaking over a bump (TSB 02-007/06) and fuel gauge calibration.

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  Excellent Vehicle - 2009 Mazda Mazda5
  By Sherry - March 18 - 8:46 pm

  The vehicle is very comfortable and has lots of room for adults and teenagers in the front 4 seats. Ive also had Grandchildren in it and the space is wonderful. Everyone has more space than they could possibly need. I had a flat and they put a lot of thought into the spare and carrying the flat without the vehicle getting dirty from it. It has a built in area for the spare that doesnt let it touch carpet... and a strap to keep it in place. The alarm let me know I had the flat. I couldnt feel it. Vision is great especially when we go to the mountains with the windows all around. My insurance dropped because its built safer than the toyota I had. More features than other cars. Pd 15k cash!

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  Fun car - 2009 Mazda Mazda5
  By Great8 - March 17 - 1:36 am

  The third row is small but fun car to drive, spacious and love the MP3 availability. Does not look like a mini van. More like a wagon. Perfect for parents that want space, sporty and good gas mileage.

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  High Mazda5s - 2006 Mazda Mazda5
  By ezdad - March 12 - 6:10 am

  Best small minivan - maybe best small car - on the market. Plenty of room for 6 and some luggage, good gas mileage(got 36 mpg on one trip), handles better than some sports cars, inexpensive. Buy it - youll love it.