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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  Love this minivan - 2008 Mazda Mazda5
  By cubbygirl - May 22 - 7:06 pm

  I test drove other regular-sized minivans, and none compared to this. I felt like I was driving a box while driving the other ones. Not fun at all. Once I got into the Mazda5, it was truly ZOOM ZOOM ZOOM! The third rear seat is crampy though, so we only use it for emergencies when we need to haul around 6 people! Otherwise, our doggie fits perfectly with the seats flattend! I would recommend this car to any parent who wants to have enough room to fit everyone and everything, yet still feel young!

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  owned it 1 month & have tried to sell it - 2008 Mazda Mazda5
  By mary - May 18 - 10:13 am

  Hate it, way too small, cheaply made, inside scuffs easily, only 2 choices for exterior color if you dont want the too light cream interior-ugly gray and too hot black. The front passenger seat is so small its claustrophobic, useless trunk with 3rd row up, 2nd row barely fits 2 small kids and their back packs. The worst vehicle Ive had in 35+ years of driving. My 13 year old van I got rid of for this car was far superior. AC is not intuitive. Car is too narrow to fit my soccer foldable chair in. I guess if you buy cheap,you get cheap.

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  Wow, what a car, what a price! - 2006 Mazda Mazda5
  By mumsiev - May 10 - 5:53 am

  I just bought my Mazda 5 this weekend after looking at it for over a month. I am the first one to own it in my county and boy do I get some strange looks. I dont think people know what to think of it. I got it in the Stellar Silver Green color which is quite spacey, but I love it. The moms I have shown it to want to go buy one today. There is no other car out there with the size, looks, comfort, options and style for the money. No one can believe how little I paid for it. I think the Mazda 5 will be a big hit - sell your big SUV and ZOOM ZOOM ZOOM!

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  Love it, hate it relationship! - 2007 Mazda Mazda5
  By Love it, hate it! - May 9 - 1:43 am

  I absolutely love my Mazda 5 but there are so many small things about it that drive me crazy seems though its brand new. The style of the car is awesome and it is dependable and a low cost car, the mpg wasnt as great as I thought it would be but its not awful. Overall I love the car but NO armrest, come on! The car drives awful in snow, I cant even leave the house, guess its not a good vehicle for Ohioans. The brakes squeak very loud when backing up. The back door handles freeze. The tires are new but I slide a lot on wet surfaces. The car has an awful vibration that comes and goes, it also vibrates when the windows are down and it feels like your eardrums just popped

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  Smooth-Riding Car for Small Families - 2008 Mazda Mazda5
  By Renee Lichtenhan - May 7 - 4:36 am

  This is a great little van for small families. Handling is really smooth, "Zoom Zoom", as they say. Very dependable. Lots of little nooks in the drivers side to stash cell phone, sunglasses, cosmetics. Easy to reach radio and temperature controls. Handy storage under middle bucket seats. Seats very easy to fold and slide where you need them to be. Ample storage when third row is folded down. But, if youve got people in the third row, forget about putting any luggage, groceries, or even school backpacks in the back.

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  What a disappointment - 2009 Mazda Mazda5
  By Bethany - May 4 - 2:00 am

  We bought new hoping to have fewer problems arise then our old cars with 150,000 miles. We chose Mazda thinking it was a better built car. The Mazda 5 has terrible road noise. The front wheels rattle like something has come loose. Two different Mazda service shops have not been able to fix the problem. Shortly after purchasing it the gas cap broke and was $45 to replace it not being under warranty. Mazda knows there is a problem with that and the new 2010 have a different gas cap. Now after owning the car only 14 months I had to replace all 4 tires because it was out of alignment. I kept up on tire rotations and had them balanced each oil change. This car is crap!

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  The Best Car Ever - 2010 Mazda Mazda5
  By Mommy of 2 - April 25 - 10:20 am

  I got my new mazda5 and is the best purchase ever, my family is normal 2 adults 2 small kids and this van is very good the fuel economy is 30 miles of a gallon my kids get in and out with out help and is very easy to park, enough space for groceries if you are not using the 3 row, and if you using it, still have space for couple things. I recommend this car

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  Why arent more people driving Mazda 5? - 2009 Mazda Mazda5
  By tmca - April 22 - 1:26 pm

  I purchased my 09 Mazda 5 one year ago when the first 09s arrived at the dealership. I have 12,000 miles on the car now. Went from a dodge grand caravan to the mazda 5. I needed a vehicle that got better mileage than the van, wanted it to drive more like a car, have flexible seating and be affordable. We are a family of 5. I love the way the car drives/handles. It gets good gas mileage (30 mpg highway)has flexible and comfortable seating. With the hatchback its even a great car for transporting our 2 big dogs. We will soon be purchasing a roof top carrier--not a great amount of cargo space when the whole family is on a long trip. Why are there not more people driving Mazda 5s? Love Mine!

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  Great car, but needs MUCH better A/C. - 2006 Mazda Mazda5
  By wsalopek - April 21 - 5:26 am

  This size vehicle is a truly smart design... just a great idea. I wish the seats were more comfortable, the interior came in a color other than black, and road noise was far less. The A/C system is very weak. In temps above 75-80, the second row is too warm and gets very little cool air, and the third row gets none, defeating COMPLETELY the reason to buy this 3-row vehicle in the first place. I have dark-tinted windows, which helps, but not nearly enough. This vehicle is unusable with the third row occupied in the summer, or even the spring or fall... what a tragic design flaw. Nav system is not great, my GPS PocketPC is more usable. Silver radio trim is blinding at certain sun angles.

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  Drives about as well as a sport sedan - 2007 Mazda Mazda5
  By Jay - April 19 - 9:03 pm

  Handling on this euro-popular van is as good as it gets in a six seater. We got this for the flexibility it offers. We only occasionally haul 5 or 6 around, but we do like the pickup sized rear space for the home center runs. With a little padded plywood, we plan to use the back as a foul-weather shelter when camping. If you drive a manual, skip the auto and youll enjoy a perkier driving experience.