New 2008 Mazda Mazda5 [ 2009 , 2007 ]
Mazda Mazda5 - What the Auto Press Says
The Mazda5's minivan-like seating and cargo versatility as well as its wagon size and pricing make it one of the top affordable compact wagons. However, it does not have the peppy engine performance associated with Mazda cars, and might not be suited for those who need to carry both a lot of people and cargo.
The 2008 Mazda5 is a solid attempt to create a car with the cargo space and practicality of a minivan, while keeping the size of a wagon. "What are they putting in the guava juice at Mazda's design headquarters?" U.S. News reviewer Rick Newman writes. "Whatever it is I want some. In a market filled with nichebusters and me-too copycats, the No. 4 Japanese automaker keeps finding ways to turn out clever, affordable funmobiles that are a bit more creative than the competition." For 2008, the Mazda5 adds a new five-speed automatic transmission and an auxiliary input jack for connecting portable music players to the audio system. The 5 is still available in three trims, the Sport, Touring and Grand Touring, all of which have the same four-cylinder engine. It's part of Ford's C1 platform, along with the Mazda3.
- "This sporty van combines the ride of a sedan, the convenience of a hatchback, the easy access of a minivan, and the utility of a small SUV. Inside, seating for six in three rows offers great flexibility, with a flat-floor design for maximum legroom." -- Car and Driver
- "We recommend it to small families with kids under five or six years old, with the caveat that we'd like it better if traction control and electronic stability control were available." -- New Car Test Drive
- "Mazda5 comes along with many of the attributes of a minivan -- except the frumpiness. It is actually a ball to drive." -- U.S. News
- "It fits neatly into tight spaces. It presents no visual obstruction to other drivers. But it can carry six passengers and judicious amounts of their stuff." -- Washington Post
- "The 5 has an unmistakably road-friendly character apparent in its responses and ease of parking, and the edge in visibility doesn't hurt." -- Automotive.com
- "Who's it for? Well, after living with it a bit, I'd say it's for youngsters, oldsters and many inbetweeners." -- The Auto Channel
- "As small vehicles go, this one's big. And as minivans go, this one's cool." -- USA Today
Mazda5 Performance - 7.4 (Good)
The 5's performance ranks in the top-tier of the affordable compact wagon class, even though some say it's missing Mazda's "zoom zoom." New Car Test Drive writes, "It tucks into tight parking spaces, thanks in no small part to a turning circle that bests all the competition by several feet. Everyday errands are run with a reasonably clear conscience, and without requiring a home equity loan, thanks to respectable fuel mileage." Continue with our full Performance Review for the 5's fuel numbers. continue
Mazda5 Exterior - 7.1 (Good)
Mixed reviews on the Mazda5's appearance somewhat hurts the wagon's exterior score. Road & Travel Magazine says it "sports a no-apologies look of fun." But U.S. News' Rick Newman calls it "tall and ungainly." Our Mazda5 Photo Gallery will allow you to judge the 5's appearance for yourself, or continue with our full Exterior Review to read reviewers' appreciation for the Mazda5's sliding doors. continue
Mazda5 Interior - 7.6 (Good)
The Mazda5's interior is all practicality, from the seats, to the space and the design. That practicality reflects well within the class, as the 5's cabin places among the top for affordable compact wagons. Check out the Mazda5 Photo Gallery for pictures of the inside, or continue with our full Interior Review to read about the level of comfort found in the 5's three rows. continue
Mazda5 Safety - NA
The 2008 Mazda5 has had neither government nor insurance industry tests administered to determine its crash protection. However, our full Safety Review gives details on the 5's passive and active safety features. continue
Mazda5 Reliability - 7.0 (Good)
The 2008 Mazda Mazda5 reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). Mazda offers a basic warranty for three years or 36,000 miles. Check out the full Reliability Review to learn more about Mazda's extended coverage. continue
