Overview & Reviews
The Mazda 5 mini minivan gets mildly freshened front and rear styling, and a revised center control panel for 2008. Electroluminescent gauges have been added, along with rear seat air vents and controls, additional passenger flip-down armrests and an auxiliary audio jack. A five-speed automatic replaces the old four-speed, and is now standard equipment on the Touring and Grand Touring trims. The five-speed manual remains standard on the base-trim Sport. The Grand Touring trim also gains additional features, while the optional navigation system benefits from a more user-friendly touchscreen design.
- Low price, ample features list, nimble handling, just-right space for small families.
- Performance suffers when loaded up with people and stuff, cramped third row, stability control not available.
User Reviews:
Showing 71 through 80 of 102.00-
Mazda5 hits a homer! What a great car! - 2008 Mazda Mazda5
By mazda5forme - October 23 - 3:53 pmMy 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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Good if you own a tire factory - 2008 Mazda Mazda5
By CWF - September 29 - 11:33 amBought 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?
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Mazda5 GT - 2008 Mazda Mazda5
By Mazda5 GT - September 26 - 10:53 pmOverall a very good family car without the family car look. The rear DVD system is great for the kids while on any trip rather long or short. Little worried about the gas mileage so far.
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Suprisingly fun to drive van! - 2008 Mazda Mazda5
By tristanboy - September 14 - 8:26 amBought this car used. Currently around 34,000 miles. Averaging around 24 mpg mixed. Car has a decent amount of pep for around town, lacking in passing power. Responsive 5-speed auto, with manual control. Love the space for 6, although if all seats are up there is small cargo space behind the third row. Clever packaging and storage with the huge glovebox and flip open second row bottoms. Love the armrests. Steering feel is lively. A bit of wind noise at highway speeds. Beware of suspension problems with the 5. I have noticed some creaking, look into it before buying.
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Great little van - 2008 Mazda Mazda5
By dharbin - July 13 - 3:45 pmWe have almost 100K miles on the 5 -- purchased with 42K in 2011, and we have put almost 20K a year on it since. Its been reliable and economical to operate, and adequate for our family of 5 (including 3 young girls). A little tight for the several road trips we have taken (several times to Chicago, Connecticut and Florida), but a rooftop box solves the space problem. Fuel economy ranges from 23 in town to 30 on the highway (driving at 70 without cargo box.) Overall average of 25 mpg, usually with 3 kids inside.
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I am in love!! - 2008 Mazda Mazda5
By dopey - June 9 - 10:46 pmI love this car!! It has every feature you want. I didnt want an suv or mini- van. This car is perfect. It is so much fun to drive. I didnt like the style at first. The car grows on you. All my neighbors compliment the car every time I see them. Its great for a small family. My 2 and half year old loves having his own seat too. The only down fall is my stroller fits on an angle. Also, the automatic car starter from Mazda is awesome. It worth every penny.
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What you sees what you get more or less - 2008 Mazda Mazda5
By dctoronto - June 4 - 8:13 amOkay forget the zoom, zoom. This is a small mini van for families who primarily take short trips around town carrying 2 kids and a lot of stuff or 3-4 kids with bare essentials. If that is what you want, then the Mazda5 will not disappoint you. Fuel economy ought to be better but is respectable, fit, finish etc. is also satisfactory, as is driving experience and comfort (note Im a large person too). Reliability has been fine except for the brakes which need an expensive servicing that, so far, the dealer claims is not covered by the warranty. Please note, Im writing from Canada, U.S. customers might have different experience with warranty service.
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Great buy! - 2008 Mazda Mazda5
By Mike - May 27 - 6:20 pmWe bought this car as a family car just a few months ago and we could not be happier! We also looked around for sometime before we decided on the 5.
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Wagon? Van? Whatever! Its fun!! - 2008 Mazda Mazda5
By ajl - April 10 - 5:40 pmAfter shopping every small SUV out there, and the only real competitor to the 5 when we bought it (the Kia Rondo), we bought our 08 Mazda 5 Grand Touring new in May of 09. After 6000 miles, its still fun to drive and the mileage keeps getting better as the motor breaks in.Its based on the Mazda 3, considered one of the best driving small cars out there, so it drives and handles like a taller version of that car. If you need a capable vehicle for a small family thats fun to drive, look no further! I cannot say enough about how great this vehicle is to drive. Averaging about 21 mpg in mostly hilly, stop and go driving.
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Own an 06 and an 08. Both are great cars - 2008 Mazda Mazda5
By coolmazda5 - March 3 - 9:33 pmGreat car to ride and drive. Sporty feeling. Manual transmission available. Very decent fuel economy for a family car.
