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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  Who would have ever thought! - 2008 Mazda Mazda5
  By 3girlsmom - December 3 - 6:23 am

  I traded in a Lexus LS 430 for this Mazda5 and I dont miss my Lexus! I have 3 girls and the room is just perfect and the MPG is an addition plus. Very fun to drive, awesome turning radius, just the right amount of features, unbelieveable price, gas efficient... all to say my kids love it! If you are in the market, you will have to test drive this one. I have a feeling that the Mazda5 is going to gain popularity very quickly! I love the white on tan, the tan isnt too light, and the white is pearl... beautiful!

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  Zoom - Zoom - Squeak - 2007 Mazda Mazda5
  By lazlo67 - November 28 - 11:13 pm

  Very fun to drive on long, windy roads. Very easy to get kids in and out of. Good fuel economy. Poor quality radio, almost no bass. Also, when you eject a CD, you have to hit insert to get another one in. On my Ford Focus, it prompts you insert another - one less button to push when you are driving. After we got it, we had problems with the rear sliding doors. Wator vapor got into the locks and froze, making it impossible to shut them, they would hit the latch and bounce back. Mazda replaced under warranty. Brakes sounds like a freight train when you back out of the driveway in the morning - very loud and annoying!! I do not think I would purchase a Mazda again. Just not too impressed.

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  Great for the money! - 2013 Mazda Mazda5
  By tisakson - November 20 - 6:38 am

  We bought this brand new after loving our test drive. After a year, the handling is excellent. It is fun to drive...tight steering and great visibility. Road noise is fair but a bit loud. Cons include the front seat arm rests, they are very small and rather uncomfortable. Anyone over 5 10" will be kind of cramped. Also the stereo knob is very slippery to grip...silly I know but annoying. The temperature and fan knob settings are all on a very small display on the dash...hard to read. So my minor gripes may be picky but my humble opinion. Still very happy with the overall ride and versatility of this small minivan!!

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  Great, but... - 2006 Mazda Mazda5
  By Too tall - November 18 - 1:03 pm

  This is a well thought out, economical family car. Seats the kids and their friends, smooth well powered ride. The big problem a shopper should know about is that you have to be short to average (< than 510") to sit comfortably in the front. I am 62" and the console angles out and is very wide, leaving no space for legs. I am always pressed up against the console and cant think about going a distance trip in this vehicle.

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  Versatile, economical package - 2009 Mazda Mazda5
  By Mazdone - November 14 - 1:36 am

  Ive only just purchased this vehicle after exhaustive deliberations. While the Mazda 5 is a fine choice as a practical, cheap, do-it-all wagon, construction is borderline flimsy and materials are cheap. My windshield creaks over every bump and the floor, pedals and steering wheel all take turns vibrating as if the car had 100K miles on it and bad tires. I hope to resolve these issues soon...

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  Zoom zoom - 2007 Mazda Mazda5
  By happy mom - October 27 - 6:36 pm

  I was looking at Toyota RAV4 when I discovered the Mazda 5. This is a much better value and more practica. The RAV4s back seat is barely accessible and has no leg room. Mazda 5 2nd row movable captains chairs are so much better. I love the leather seats. The zippy feel on the road is great too. I have no regrets. My husband is happy too.

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  Mazda5 hits a homer! What a great car! - 2008 Mazda Mazda5
  By mazda5forme - October 23 - 3:53 pm

  My wife loves her 2007 Mazda5, and now I have an 08! All the things we complained about have been responded to and fixed by Mazda! They added rear A/C vents, more arm rests, better navigation system, redesigned the dash, HID headlights, LED tailights and more! Best build quality of any brand Ive owned, faultless as a matter of fact. Exterior paint is also perfection! Made in Mazdas factory in Japan, and it shows the attention to careful build quality. Amazing!

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  Lots of fun - Lots of features! - 2007 Mazda Mazda5
  By Jim - October 11 - 9:26 pm

  We shopped for a functional travel car - we had an 03 Sonata. We looked at Toyota Matrix, Vibe, CR-V, etc. Then we discovered this 6 bucket seat gem - 6 disk changer, auto air, moonroof for under 20 grand! 27+ on our first road trip. What more could you want!

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  Awesome & Different - 2006 Mazda Mazda5
  By CLJ - October 5 - 3:40 am

  I was considering a bland Honda Accord until I ran across the Mazda5 on Edmunds. This is a fun fun fun car to drive and its certainly not your run of the mill vehicle. I love the handling, the "zippyness", and the build quality. The versatility of seating options is also great. I bought a base Sport model with just auto transmission as an option and couldnt be happier. Traded in a hulking SUV (13 mpg) and am getting 25 mpg in the city so far.

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  Good if you own a tire factory - 2008 Mazda Mazda5
  By CWF - September 29 - 11:33 am

  Bought new in 08 and initially really liked the sporty handling and versatility. But, tires got really loud before 10,000 miles. Dealership was useless; said we should rotate more often, even though we always rotate at 5-6K. Disappointed in Edmunds and other car sites for not warning about design flaw that eats tires, and has been doing so for years. A Google search will turn up hundreds of complaints about excessive tire wear. Looking at another car mag, it appears that Mazda may have fixed the suspension problem in the 09s. To bad for us that we bought the 08. Anyone looking to buy a sharp looking, tire eating, used micro van?