The Mazda5 is an example of a vehicle that is rare in the US, but very popular in other parts of the world. Riding on a compact platform, the Mazda5 is a small wagon with 3 rows of seating and sliding doors like those found on a minivan. The sliding doors allow for wider door openings without the parking lot problems associated with large rear swinging doors. The interior is surprisingly large and can seat up to 6 with three rows of 2 seating positions. Like most sport wagons, the 3rd row seats are on the small side will force a tradeoff between cargo and 6-passenger hauling. A 157-bhp 2.5L 4-cylinder provides ample power and promises fuel economy of up to 21 MPG city, 28 MPG highway.

What Changed:

After skipping the 2011 model year, Mazda offers an all-new 2012 Mazda5 in 2011. A restyled exterior featuring swirling lines is the most noticeable difference. On the inside, the instrument panel and seats are noticeably different, but overall the new model retains the size and efficient packaging that made the prior model remarkable. Under the hood, a larger four-cylinder yields a slight increase in power.