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Christopher Jackson | 9/6/2007 | Mazda
The all-new Mazda5 belongs to an automotive category that does not officially exist. In fact, the category has never existed, in spite of the fact that there's a whole slew of similar vehicles for sale in Europe and Japan, and a few of them have even found their way to our shores. Remember the Nissan Axxess, or the Mitsubishi Expo LRV? Very few people do.
These high-roofed, category-busting compact station wagons tread the line between cars and minivans, and in the early 1990s, they slipped completely below the radar. The Mazda5 is a do-all in the tradition of these cars, as well as that of the Chrysler PT Cruiser, Chevrolet HHR and, dare we say it, the recently departed Pontiac Aztek. All of these vehicles are multi-taskers at heart, able to tackle congested traffic, curvy back roads or long freeway trips with equal ability, and to haul groceries, people or large sporting equipment when necessary--all without bearing the dreaded minivan stigma.
Even the government doesn't know what it is; the Mazda5 can't have tinted privacy glass the way minivans and SUVs do, because it's officially classified as a small station wagon. But since when did small station wagons come with three rows of seats? NHTSA is letting that one slide for the moment.
The 2006 Mazda5 is five and a half inches taller and five longer than the Mazda3. It looks bigger in photos thanks to the sliding doors and narrow stance, but this vehicle is just a touch larger than the Pontiac Vibe. It's tall and comparatively narrow, but the Mazda5 manages to be slightly less awkward than the similarly-shaped Suzuki Aerio. The deeply sloped front end shares some obvious DNA with the rest of the Mazda lineup, while imparting a European feel--not a surprise, considering that this car was basically designed for the European market. At the rear, tall, clear-lens taillights ride high up in the D-pillars for good visibility. Aggressive fender flares keep things from getting too slab-sided. You wouldn't know to look at it, but the Mazda5's rear doors are sliding doors, like those of a minivan. The sliders make it easier to get in and out of the back seat in tight parking spaces, and Mazda's done an amazing trick with the rails that makes them feather-light to open and close. The tracks are elegantly hidden beneath the rear windows.
Pop all of those doors open and it's clear that the Mazda5 may be the most versatile do-all yet. It does all the cool stuff that Aerio and PT Cruiser do (except, in the Aerio's case, offer all-wheel drive), but it's also got three rows of seats. That's right, this tiny little wedge is a six-passenger vehicle, with three rows of two bucket seats each. The stretched wheelbase and stadium-style seating that places each row of seats a couple of inches higher than the one in front of it ensures that all six passengers have plenty of legroom and a great view of the outside world. The separate seating also means that each seat can be folded individually for flexible cargo carrying. The second-row seats feature cool storage cubbies hidden beneath, perfect for storing a laptop, purse, iPod or other piece of small equipment away from the prying eyes of would-be thieves. A two-position tailgate can be raised a few inches higher to clear the heads of tall folks while loading. All three rows of seats are comfortable enough for full-sized adults; with everything folded, a mountain bike will fit inside with both wheels on. The Mazda5 was born to carry stuff, and to look good while doing it.
The interior is similar in theme and mood to that of the Mazda3, with a satin-finish center stack and a sporty three-gauge instrument panel. The seating position is tall, offering a bit of extra visibility and chair-height seats up front. An optional navigation system--uncommon for a car at this price level--rides high in the dash for easy reading.
Power is adequate; best bet with this car is to get the sportier five-speed manual transmission and don't be impatient. "Zoom-zoom" only goes so far when you're dealing with a vehicle this size and a 2.3 liter, 157- horsepower four-cylinder engine. Still, the Mazda5 is eager to please, and while it's not going to please horsepower and torque addicts, it's just fine for jamming around town. The 2.3 is shared with the Mazda3, and the DOHC engine is quiet. It's decently torquey at low speeds and quiet on the freeway, but doesn't deliver the devil-may-care performance of the gleeful Mazda3. The five-speed manual transmission is standard; the optional four-speed automatic offers more torque down low but a less involved drive.
For such a tall, narrow vehicle, the Mazda5's freeway ride is quite refined. The suspension is fully independent, with MacPherson struts up front and a multi-link rear. Large brake rotors measure nearly twelve inches at all four corners, and anti-lock brakes are standard. Thanks to Mazda's expertise in the realm of automotive sports, the Mazda5 is a capable handler. It doesn't waddle or wallow, though its height can make itself known during sudden lane changes.
Will the Mazda5 find a niche among today's multi-tasking, active car buyers, or will it just slip between the cracks like an automotive X-File? It's nimbler than a minivan, more flexible than a sport-utility, and boasts economy-car fuel efficiency, which should be a recipe for success. Better yet, pricing starts at an affordable $17,995 for the well-equipped Sport model. The uplevel Touring starts at $18,950, and our test car even got the optional navigation system for just under $22,000. A runaway success in the making? Maybe, maybe not. We think the Mazda5 will be the perfect car for just a few people, from small families to avid campers and outdoorsy folks. Mazda seems to agree that this car isn't for everyone, as production will be limited. If it looks promising to you, we'd suggest moving quickly before this one gets swept under the rug.
Specifications:
All specs are for the 2006 Mazda Mazda5 Touring, which we tested.
Length: 181.5 in.
Width: 69.1 in.
Height: 64.2 in.
Wheelbase: 108.3 in.
Curb weight: 3333 lb.
Cargo space: 44 cu.ft. (all seats up)
Base price: $18,950
Price as tested: $21,510
Engine: 2.3 liter DOHC 16-valve four-cylinder
Drivetrain: five-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Horsepower: 157 @ 6500
Torque: 148 @ 3500
Fuel capacity: 15.9 gal.
Est. mileage: 22/27
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