2006 Mazda Mazda5 Touring
09/19/2006
Greg A. Godsell
The front-wheel-drive Mazda5 is without a peer. The Mazda5 is best described as a minivan due to the large sliding rear doors and three rows of seating. Yet it is significantly smaller on the outside than most minivans on the market. Priced at under $20,000, the Mazda5 is also significantly less expensive than most minivan competitors. Some compact SUVs like the recently restyled Toyota RAV4 offer three rows of seating, but fail to offer similar comfort and convenience in the third row seating positions, due to limitations of the SUV platform.
Based on the successful Mazda3 platform, the Mazda5 shares its 2.3L four-cylinder engine and fully independent suspension. Two transmissions are offered: a five-speed manual and a four-speed automatic with manual shift inputs. Four-wheel disc brakes and ABS are standard. All models feature standard 17-inch, 5-spoke alloy wheels, and P205/50R17 tires.
The Sport trim level is the base model. Starting just under $18,000, it includes a healthy list of standard amenities like power windows/locks, remote keyless entry, cruise control, and a four-speaker CD audio system. The upscale Touring trim level adds exterior touches like body-colored mirrors, fog lights, and a rear spoiler. On the inside, Touring models also receive an automatic climate control system, an upgraded 6-speaker audio system, an in-dash 6-disc CD changer and a standard power-sliding glass moon roof. The Touring model is priced at just under $20,000. For 2007, a Grand Touring trim level joins the lineup adding xenon headlights and heated leather-trimmed seats.
On the outside, the Mazda5 exhibits taut but functional styling aggressive enough to leave the first impression of a sporty compact car, rather than that of minivan. The front end is defined by a steeply raked windshield and sharply contoured hood that flows in to the lines of the grille. A prominent black air intake dominates the bottom of the front fascia. In profile, the large sliding doors are apparent, but the slide mechanisms are well integrated into the rear fender crease, which minimizes the minivan look. The rear of the vehicle features a vertical top-hinged tailgate, flanked by vertically mounted taillights with clear lens covers.
On the inside, the seats and interior panels are covered in black cloth upholstery. The instrument panel is all black except for the center stack, which has silver plastic trim.
The instrumentation features a large speedometer in the middle, with a tachometer to the left. On the right, a display shows the mode and selected gear for the automatic transmission. Top to bottom, the center stack features a large LCD readout, which shows audio system and climate control settings. Next is the audio system, and below that, the climate controls. The transmission stalk sits at the bottom, in a small outcropping of the dash. In general, the materials chosen for the dash, center stack and center console are hard plastic, but comparable with vehicles in this price range. The downside to hard plastics is that they scratch and mar easily.
The driver and front passenger share a low-mounted center console that contains 2 cup holders, and a large storage compartment with a separate lined tray for a cell phone or personal music player. A large glove box features a deep compartment for storage, and a tray in the door is large enough to hold the owner's manual. Large door pockets can accommodate water bottles, but will not hold maps. The only 12V power outlet in the front of the vehicle is low on the center stack, almost near the floor. While this placement may be advantageous for phones or MP3 players, it is almost out of reach for windshield-mounted devices like navigation systems or radar detectors.
The optional sunroof flips out and up providing about a foot of open space when fully opened, or a 1-inch gap when just tilted. The mechanism operates outside of the vehicle, preserving precious headroom for all passengers.
Front row seating is supportive and well bolstered. Manual adjustments include fore/aft, tilt and height. Some may find the seat bolsters too narrow, but they add to the overall sporty feel of the driving experience.
The only flaws in an otherwise well executed interior are the chunky air bag laden A-pillars, and silver- colored center stack. With the steeply raked windshield, the silver finish frequently picks up glare from the sunlight. The second problem is that finish itself too easily shows signs of wear around knobs and frequently used controls.
Second row seating features two buckets separated by a six-inch aisle. The second row seats independently slide fore/aft, recline, and can fold completely flat by lifting the bottom cushion forward. Under each seat cushion is a small storage area measuring roughly 12" x 16" x 3". Under the right seat is a small center console that can fold out and occupy the center aisle between the rear seats. The console has cup holders, a flat surface and a concealed mesh bag for storage. When stowed, the center console is completely out of sight. Second row passengers have one additional cup holder at the back of the center console.
Access to the second and third row seats benefits from the minivan-like doors. The doors are easy to operate from outside and inside the vehicle and provide better access than traditional doors would have. The doors provide large power-operated windows that fully retract providing more airflow than rear passengers could ever possibly want. A possible improvement would be the inclusion of some privacy shades like those in minivan segment leaders.
The 50/50 split third row seats two with relative comfort depending on the position of the sliding center seats. Each seating position has a cup holder in the outboard armrest. Due to the FWD configuration and low-slung body design, third row passengers enjoy a flat foot well, providing a more natural seating position than most third row seats in SUVS. The third row is actually usable by six-foot tall adults.
The cargo area of the Mazda5 is highly dependent on the position and usage of the rear seating. At the opening, the cargo area measures roughly 34 inches tall and 40 inches wide. With the third row seats in use, the floor is about 10 inches deep, but only a small space is usable, because the seat backs essentially intersect the rear of the vehicle. With one or both of the rear seats folded, the load floor extends to 36 inches. With one or both of the second row seats folded flat, the load floor can reach an impressive 64 inches.
While the cargo capabilities seem like a liability, remember that many SUVS and short wheelbase minivans have the same limitations. Even a vehicle as large as the Mercedes-Benz R-Class forces a tradeoff between cargo usage and a full complement of passengers. If travel and cargo room become an issue, Mazda offers a roof mountable storage unit that fits into the flush mounted roof rails.
From behind the wheel, the driving experience is more akin to that of a solid compact car than that of a traditional minivan. The 157 hp 2.3L engine seems like it should be a liability given that most minivans offer V6 engines. However, most of those same vehicles outweigh the Mazda5 by at least 25%. Surprisingly, the Mazda5 has sufficient power to accelerate, merge, and pass with ease. Only a fully loaded vehicle with the A/C running will make you start to question the size of the engine. Under the hood, there is plenty of room to spare in the engine compartment. Perhaps Mazda can be persuaded to investigate a Mazdaspeed-tuned version with the turbocharged 2.3L engine.
The Mazda5 stands about 6 inches taller than your average sedan, but about 5 inches shorter than the smallest SUVs and minivans. Most of the crossover vehicles that are flooding the market stand about 2 inches taller. The low profile yields a lower center of gravity, which pays dividends on the road. A fully independent suspension and standard 205/50R17 V-rated tires allow for more spirited driving than the average minivan or SUV. The steering is tight and responsive. The net result is a vehicle that rides well and is very easy to maneuver.
Fuel economy is good for a 6-passenger vehicle. In mixed driving, we averaged 23 MPG on the test vehicle. Although the Mazda5 compromises little for its relatively small engine, many would expect to see a bigger pay back at the pump in exchange for the downsized engine.
In summary, the Mazda5 is a surprising vehicle. It stands alone as proof that there are better ways of getting people around their daily lives with few compromises. What really separates the Mazda5 from any other possible choice is overall value. There are no other vehicles on the market in the US that offer the same level of utility, economy and relative driving performance for under $20,000.