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 for Short driver - 2012 Mazda Mazda5
  By lvt1 - October 3 - 1:30 am

  I am only 5 ft. tall. I usually drive vans/jeeps for better view while driving. I fell for this minivan for several reasons: 1. best height adjustment I found for manual 2. great visual field for driver 3. all six seats are fine for me 4. handling feels good 5. not much road noise 6. better mileage than a Grand Caravan 7. middle row seats can slide by 6 inches

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  Good sport wagon - 2008 Mazda Mazda5
  By Stillageek - September 29 - 9:20 pm

  I refuse to use the "M" word, I call mine a sport wagon. I was looking at a Toyota Matrix and Scion XB. The 5 cost less and has more room. We have no kids, but we like the utility and versatility. I bought the gt without nav. Coming from an acura tsx I only lost power seats, dual a/c, traction control, stability control and the need for premium gas. I love this thing. I cant believe I have gone 16 years of driving without sliding doors. The engine and power is kind like the TSX....enough for everyday with a little extra for fun.

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  Fits the bill! - 2006 Mazda Mazda5
  By Anti-Minivan - September 29 - 10:33 am

  We have 2 kids (7 and 5) and a dog. As the name says, no minivans allowed (been there, done that). Wife was leasing an 02 CR-V which was a great vehicle in itself, but with price for the CR-V getting up there, the Mazda5 caught my eye. I had the wife, go test drive one expecting her to not like it (she is a staunch Honda person). Turns out she loved it, so we decided to lease one. Of course this was 1 week before the recall so we dont get it until October. So far we are loving it. Fun to drive, just took 6 to breakfast (4 + 2 grandparents), and the sliding doors are keeping the carnage down in the parking lots. Overall a tremendous value for hauling the family around!

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  Deal of the Century - 2009 Mazda Mazda5
  By dontknomuch - September 27 - 7:36 pm

  I bought an 09 Sport model with AT and pearl paint for $17995. My wife just loves the car...the four kids fit with no problem. The gas mileage is fantastic.

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  Economical fun - 2007 Mazda Mazda5
  By fred - September 24 - 10:56 pm

  We have only owned the car for 3 weeks but have enjoyed the feel of the road again. Not big, not powerful but quick and very smooth on smooth road.

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  Ideal vehicle - 2010 Mazda Mazda5
  By buckshot36 - September 20 - 2:26 pm

  Senior citizen who likes performance and have been more than pleases with my Mazda5. Traded a 2008 Mazdaspeed3 (a great car) due to a requirement for more space. Mazda5 provides adequate (much better than expected after the speed3) acceleration, handles better than many small cars, provides good mileage. MPG has averaged low of 25 and high of 31.6 and provides the extra space that was needed. Will normally only carry four passengers so rear seat not a problem although my teenage grandson has no problem setting there. No problems since purchase.

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  A minivan for the rest of us! - 2008 Mazda Mazda5
  By Naturalmom - September 9 - 7:33 pm

  With our third child on the way, we were looking for the most fuel efficient option for a family using three car seats. The Mazda5 accommodated three car seats comfortably, something that our sedan did not. On our first long-distance trip, we got 31 MPG! Our average is around 25 MPG, and that beats the average of 19 MPG for a regular minivan. Though there is not much cargo space, we love how easy it is to shift the seats to accomodate an extra person or haul something bulky. The Mazda5 is the most fuel-efficient option for a family like ours, and it is fun to drive!

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  best vehicle ever driven - 2006 Mazda Mazda5
  By king - August 21 - 12:53 am

  Vehicle is fun to drive, steering wheel is easy to control and the speed is great as well. In all is the best minivan I have ever driven and I will recommend it to any of my friends and families without hesitation.

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  It thinks its a van... but its not - 2008 Mazda Mazda5
  By dee - August 17 - 8:46 pm

  Thought it would be a smaller alternative to a van, bought it when gas was $4.00+. It is way too small, can haul 6 people/4 with stuff, but not both. Cons: non-lighted mirrors, small useless cubbies without lids, industrial looking fabric, door ajar light doesnt specify which door, gas cap is very hard to get off, wimpy horn, cant close windows with car off, small sunroof, would switch volume with placement of radio change buttons (dont change volume often, but you always change stations, add on/off button), cubbie under middle seat cant be accessed while driving, sunshade is too short-useless, light in truck have off/on/door, armrest must be up to access back.

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  A passenger armrest short of perfection! - 2007 Mazda Mazda5
  By zabellasdad - August 1 - 11:50 pm

  This is hands down THE BEST car you can get for $20K or under. WOW! I got a Grand Touring trim with nice leather, 6-disk CD (great sound btw), Xenon lights with adjustable angle (are you serious?), moonroof, cool pocket-knife style keys w/remote entry, etc, etc. Can you find another car on the market at this price with all these features? I traded my 98 Suburban for this thing in a heartbeat! Drove my first 180 miles and barely at half tank, that’s only 7 gallons! There are few oversights by Mazda. The biggest one being the lack of front passenger armrest. What? Did someone spill coffee on that part of the blueprint at Mazda design team meeting? But overall, it is AWESOME!!!