Thoughts on the Mazda 5

[quikah]

I don't need comments on the silly front grill Mazda is using.

I need to upgrade from my Mazda 3 to get something that can fit 2 car seats and 3 adults. Mazda 5 seems like a good choice, but the lack of trunk space with the 3rd row up scares me. I don't think I could even fit a stroller back there.

Anyone have one and give me an idea how you like it?

 

[zoiks]

That front grill sucks.
I would rather wait for the cx-5.

 

[Doppel]

That front grill sucks.
I would rather wait for the cx-5.

Still won't seat 6. The 5 has disappointing mileage toe personally but it is a decent vehicle and especially used they seem at times to be quite cheap. I rented one once and it's sliding doors were nice, as they are on minivans.

 

[NAC]

I’ve had a 2012 Mazda5 for about 6 months now. I love it. I really can’t think of any flaws in it, considering the price.

My requirements were: fun to drive, manual transmission, a wagon (but not Golf or Mazda3 size), and 3 rows was a strong plus. The only comparable cars are some Subarus and the VW Jetta Sportwagon, none of which have three rows or much better mileage. The TDI VW has excellent mileage, and I loved my 02 TDI - but fuel pump failures with the current engine scared me away.

It drives great. My previous car was an 04 Audi S4, and in many ways I prefer the Mazda5. It is much lighter on its feet – easy and quick to maneuver. The S4 was much more powerful, but slightly ponderous. The shifter is nice, I find the engine power to be just fine. The suspension is smoother than my Audi which had 80k miles on it, but still very planted. The interior is very ergonomical, and simple. And the size is exactly what I wanted, before I even knew I wanted it. We often transport my daughters’ friends – and it is no problem. But for normal use – we have a big hatch/trunk area.

To answer your question – you absolutely can not fit a stroller with six people. If you use the third row – the space in the back is minimal. It depends on your priorities – if you want the extra space – you basically need a bigger, less fun to drive and less fuel efficient minivan or SUV. If you have 3 kids – then more space is probably a requirement.

But in my case, and in my opinion, if say I’m taking 4 kids and a wagon / stroller to an amusement park – I will either strap the wagon on the roof, buy a hitch cargo carrier. That will happen only a few times a year, for the remaining 360+ days I’d rather drive something more fun.

 

[vi edit]

Still won't seat 6. The 5 has disappointing mileage toe personally but it is a decent vehicle and especially used they seem at times to be quite cheap. I rented one once and it's sliding doors were nice, as they are on minivans.

Milage really isn't that bad. I'm not sure how it ever got rated at 26 or 27MPG. On mine (2008) I would regularly pull over 30mpg and I wasn't exactly light on the gas pedal. I was averaging 26MPG with a healthy mix of city/highway at the time I owned mine.

They have great around town acceleration, good visibility, and the turning radius of a go-cart. Incredibly friendly "in-town" family car for shopping/running errands because it parks so easy and the sliding doors make getting kids/carseats out a snap.

I ultimately traded mine in for a larger van. They really only seat more than 4 in an absolute pinch and if you do flip up the back seats then there barely any room in the hatch area. Plus I pray you *NEVER* get into a rear end accident with someone sitting back there. Their head is about 6" from the rear hatch window.

That being said, for the price, economy relative to function, and fun to drive ratio it's an incredible combo. This is one vehicle just screaming for that little torquey diesel Mazda has been teasing us with forever. 40MPG and a healthy amount of torque? Sign me up!

 

[xaeniac]

mazda 5 is great!! new body style is meh, but you can get a 6 speed manual so it counter balances. Very practical vehicle and I own an 09. Definitely worth the entry price.

 

[vi edit]

mazda 5 is great!! new body style is meh, but you can get a 6 speed manual so it counter balances. Very practical vehicle and I own an 09. Definitely worth the entry price.

Yep. The 08-10 models were much better looking cars than the current refresh. Interior is a lot nicer...but they are just uhh...girly looking. The older version at least had a bit of a sporty edge to them.

 

[Sid59]

I don't need comments on the silly front grill Mazda is using.

I need to upgrade from my Mazda 3 to get something that can fit 2 car seats and 3 adults. Mazda 5 seems like a good choice, but the lack of trunk space with the 3rd row up scares me. I don't think I could even fit a stroller back there.

Anyone have one and give me an idea how you like it?

Another Mazda5 owner but we're just a family of 4. We've done a 3rd row split to accommodate a 3rd adult but we usually let sit adult up front, adult and car seat in the middle and older kid in the split 3rd row.

Like others said, if you're routinely shuffling that many adults + kids, you're in minivan territory.

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

Mom had one a few years ago, was a lot of fun to drive, and thought about even getting one myself. Good stuff.