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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  ONLY 3 row US vehicle w/ manual tranny! - 2008 Mazda Mazda5
  By Dave - June 12 - 10:26 pm

  Perfect for a small family. If youre worried it wont do for the family vacation, dont fear! With the cash you save in purchase and fuel over a minivan you can rent a minivan if ever you need to!

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  Not Sorry the Grand Caravan was totaled - 2006 Mazda Mazda5
  By aug1972 - June 9 - 10:23 am

  I replaced a Dodge Grand Caravan, a gas guzzling beast that was totaled by a semi with my new M5! We are a family of 4 and with the kids bigger, we did not need the stroller/crib space that we needed before. I have never been happier with a car! I got the 5 speed touring and love all the little extras it had to offer for a great price. It gets great gas mileage, has a great look that draws questions and second looks, and has the versatility so that kids can haul friends if need be. I love the sliding doors and the higher profile that keeps semis from driving over you. I would recommend this to anyone wanting to downsize form a minivan, but not lose the seating.

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  I love my Mazda 5 - 2008 Mazda Mazda5
  By Heatherpoo - June 7 - 2:36 am

  I have been driving my Mazda 5 for about 3 months and couldnt be happier with it. I needed a larger car to accommodate my growing family (baby #2 is on the way). The Mazda 5 is perfect for my needs. Even though it is very compact on the inside, it is surprisingly roomy on the inside. It is easier to drive than a big, clunky mini-van. I can even fit it in most compact parking spaces. In addition it can seat 6, although I wouldnt recommend this car for a family of 4 unless youre not in need of much trunk space. The trunk is plenty roomy enough to fit my jogging stroller and groceries with the third row seats down, and the gas mileage is really good for a vehicle its size.

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  Unique and fun to drive - 2009 Mazda Mazda5
  By New to Mazda - May 31 - 12:16 pm

  We have had our 5 since February and stumbled upon it accidentally after driving Hondas and Acuras forever! The CRV felt too big, the Acura RSX was too pricey, but the Mazda 5 was just right! Smooth ride, easy to maneuver, great sound system, good gas mileage and very comfortable. Havent had a minutes regret even when next to the CRV and Acura on the road. Thought it would pain my heart, but I LOVE this car. Way to go, Mazda!

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  The "ONE" - 2006 Mazda Mazda5
  By P. Narro - May 20 - 10:16 am

  Aside from the recall the experience has been nothing short of amazing! We were given a minivan to use during the recall and it only strengthened my argument against buying one. Thats right, I dont classify the 5 as a minivan because of the way it handles. Built on the 3s platform, Mazda succeeded in keeping the "soul of a sports car" intact. I was driving on a two lane highway and a car who was waiting to pull out onto the opposite lane begins to pull out into the opposing lane and stalls out half-way between my lane and the shoulder. I swerved to the left and there was an on-coming truck and before I knew it I was safely back in my lane.The 5 saved our lives.

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  Versatile and Fun, but MPG way off! - 2010 Mazda Mazda5
  By gliese876d - May 18 - 4:23 am

  In general I really love my Mazda5. It is fun to drive and highly versatile for my growing family. What I loved most was that I did not have to give up a manual transmission to get a mini-van, and assumed I could get good gas mileage given the advertised 22-28mpg, especially with a 5-speed. That was an important selling point to me because I was trading in a fuel efficient sedan, and did not want to sacrifice fuel efficiency. But so far this car has yet to deliver anywhere close to the adverstised gas mileage. It has not yet *once* even gotten the lowest value of 22mpg since I purchased the vehicle almost 3 months and 3200 miles ago. It is usually an abyssmal 19.5 mpg.

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  Best compromise - 2010 Mazda Mazda5
  By vicenac - May 17 - 1:03 pm

  Weve got the GT for its leather seats. It is much easier to clean milk spills off of them. We have two kids, 5 and 0.3. A minivan is something way too big for us, but we did want 3 raws seating. This is the best compromise we could find. Besides Ive been in love with the looks since I saw it the first time. Its a little cramped. Fitting the rear facing baby seat in the second raw, makes the third raw unusable (almost). Loaded with all of us (plus grandma) there is not much room for stuff. A roof carrier is a must. All in all we feel we struck gold with this one. It fills all our needs and its easy to park and fun to drive. And it looks cool

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  Great Value - 2009 Mazda Mazda5
  By st - May 14 - 6:40 am

  I wanted to get a new sedan but also wanted to carry lots of luggage. It fit the bill. It is a great, comfortable people/ items mover. and Touring comes with packages that is only found in expensive cars. Overall love it for what it does.

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  My mini mini van........ - 2009 Mazda Mazda5
  By toskeysam - May 7 - 4:13 pm

  Have fullsize minivan for long trips, but needed small transportation with room for golf stuff et al (for local). The "5" fits the bill and then some. Handles great! Plenty of pep! Fun to drive! Comfortable seating up front. Retired couple, so only grandkids in back rows. Good visibility. Easy entry and exit!

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  ZoomZoom iz good wayz to zay itz! - 2006 Mazda Mazda5
  By mazda5_4me - May 4 - 1:43 am

  Brilliant car, great innovation. Feels like Jetta or Mazda3, tight, firm, no flab, great looks, modern engineering, safety up the wahzoo! Cant believe how it blows the competition away (Matrix, Vibe, Aero SX, Element, Scion, PTCruiser, Chevy HHR, etc.) with the level of standard equipment on the Touring model Automatic. Got $1000 off MSRP, car has easily $2,000 worth of goodies standard that everyone charges extra for. Side curtain air bags all 3 rows, front seat bags, dash bags, ABS, 17" alloys, 4 wheel disk, moon roof, 6 disk CD stereo, tilt/telescopic leather steering wheel and gearknob. Fog lights, Auto temp A/C, storage bins everywhere! Impressive Japanese fit and finish, too!