A week driving Mazdas mini people mover
Pros:
6-speed manual transmission available
Versatile interior
Simple, smooth switchgear
Cons:
Still looks like a minivan
Smiley face grille
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With all the hoopla that’s sure to surround the upcoming introduction of Ford’s C-Max, it’s important to remember that it was Mazda that was first to market a modern minivan of this size here in the U.S.
I stress the word “modern” because, looking back 25 years or so, the original K-Car-based Plymouth Voyager was nearly the same size as the Mazda5. If you don’t believe it, here are some facts:
According to manufacturer’s data, a 1988 Plymouth Voyager LE weighed 3287 lbs., had a wheelbase of 112 inches and was 177.3 inches long. It was also 64.4 inches high, 72.2 inches wide and had front and rear tracks of 59.9 and 62.10 inches, respectively.
The 2012 Mazda Mazda5 Sport weighs 3417 lbs., has a wheelbase of 108.3 inches and is 180.5 inches long. It’s also 63.6 inches high, 68.9 inches wide and has front and rear tracks of 60.2 and 59.8, respectively.
So for those of you out there that either drove or rode in Chrysler’s ground-breaking first-generation minivan, you’re looking at a modern one, right here.
Exterior
Let’s face it, it’s hard to make what is essentially a small box look sexy, but Mazda stylists have done their best to imbue the Mazda5 with as much of their Nagare design language as they could manage. The Mazda5 gets a mild version of Mazda’s swoopy front fender treatment, while a series of rippling horizontal lines that begin midway down the front door panels sweep back and upward along the side of the body, terminating just above the rear taillights.
In addition to these touches, the 5 also gets Mazda’s smiley-face grille, a stylistic touch that continues to baffle me. Enough said.
Interior
But what any van shopper really looks for is versatility, and the Mazda’s mini-minivan has this in abundance.
The two middle seats slide forward for easy ingress and egress to the two for-small-children-only rear seats. Flip the two middle seat cushions forward and you also have a pair of hidden storage areas.
All four seats can be folded flat independently of each other. Cargo volume with the third row upright is only 5.6 cubic feet, but fold these seats flat and it increases to 27.5 cubic feet and with the second row also stowed flat, that space expands to 44.4 cubic feet.
Up front, the controls are typical Mazda – simple, straightforward and within easy reach of the driver.
Equipment
The Sport comes standard with Mazda’s all-aluminum MZR 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with variable valve timing that produces a maximum 157 horsepower and 163 lb.-ft. of torque. Our entry-level Sport model came equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission. Surprisingly, despite Mazda’s “zoom-zoom” credentials, this is the only trim level of the Mazda5 that gives you a choice – both the Touring and Grand Touring trims are automatic-only.
All 5s come standard with front, front side and side curtain airbags, traction control and stability control. Power is brought to a halt using four-wheel disc brakes with standard ABS and electronic brake assist. 16 inch alloy wheels are standard and the suspension is MacPherson strut up front, while the rear is equipped with an E-type multi-link independent setup.
Inside, even this base model was well-equipped. Power windows, locks and mirrors are all standard as are the tilt and telescoping steering wheel’s cruise and audio controls for the 6-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system. Remote keyless entry and variable wipers front and rear round out the list of standard equipment.
Another nice feature not normally found on entry-level models is the Mazda 5’s automatic climate control.
On the road
My week in Mazda’s C-segment minivan included highway driving as well as the everyday commute – the latter, in particular, made even more enjoyable due to the 5’s six-speed manual transmission. Although clutch travel was a bit on the long side, the shifter was smooth and the shift throws were pleasingly short.
Handling in both the city and on the highway was precise and throwing the Mazda5 through the twisties, despite its somewhat tall profile, produced very little body lean.
Pricing
The 2012 Mazda5 starts at $19,195. Our Copper Red Mica example had just one option – a $50 rear bumper guard. Delivery, processing and handling charges added another $795 for a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $20,040.
The Bottom Line
With gas priced at close to $4 a gallon and more Americans than ever looking for a fuel-efficient, reasonably-priced family hauler, it’s hard to understand why the Mazda5 remains such a sleeper.
Through May of this year, Mazda has sold 10,122 Mazda 5s. During the same time period, Honda sold roughly four and a half times as many Odyssey minivans and Chrysler, for its part, sold roughly eight and a half times as many Town & Country/Grand Caravans.
Lest you think buyers are only looking for larger vehicles, think about this: during the same time period, Honda also sold roughly three times as many Fits.
So here, as I see it, is the bottom line: as the only current vehicle in the compact minivan segment, the Mazda5’s less than stellar sales record could be attributed to a lack of marketing. Once Ford’s C-Max hits dealer showrooms, however, look for a bump in sales of this small people mover from Mazda. Remember, you heard it here first.
