Consumer Review for 2012 Mazda 5 Grand Touring
2012
The Car Connection
All-time Car to Buy Nominee
The Car Connectedness Expert Review
Senior Editor
Feb 27, 2012
Likes
- Taut but absorptive ride
- Reassuring, communicative steering
- Handles with the verve of a hot hatch
- Standard transmission gearbox
Dislikes
- Short, flat front seats
- Route noise
- Primitive audio, no USB
- Bluetooth only on top trims
Buying tip
features & specs
4-Door Wgn Automatic M Touring
4-Door Wgn Automated Sport
four-Door Wgn Automatic Touring
The nimble and fuel-efficient 2012 Mazda5 appeals to parents who don't mind being seen in a minivan but don't desire to feel similar they're driving one.
If yous're finding that your growing family demands minivan convenience and versatility, merely your centre calls out for something that drives like a sporty small car, not a transportation appliance, yous should definitely consider the Mazda5. There'due south a charming simplicity to the way the Mazda5 is presented—and how information technology drives. Size-wise, it's a 7/eight-calibration minivan; there aren't a lot of frills, and there are no ability rear hatches or power folding seats; from the commuter's seat, you might think you're in a nimble pocket-sized car, yet in that location are convenient sliding side doors and oodles of easily reconfigurable interior infinite.
The Mazda5 has been completely redesigned for 2012, and while it keeps its compact size and minivan-similar proportions, it's a little more heady to look at, specially from the side. Every bit the first (and maybe only) vehicle to adopt Mazda's Nagare design language, the Mazda5's fenders are aggressively contoured, and there's a menstruation of creases and surfacing that rises from them, swooping forth the side of the vehicle and entering a 'twist' at the front of the front door. Taillights have been fabricated horizontal and more carlike, while in front end there'south a more than subtle version of the Mazda3's 'grinning' corporate grille—birthday making the Mazda5 look slightly lower and more carlike in stance.
Underpinnings of the Mazda5 are pocket-sized simply sporty, with much of the model'due south running gear—and some of its construction—borrowed straight from the Mazda3. The 157-horsepower, 2.five-liter iv-cylinder, with either a half dozen-speed transmission transmission or five-speed automated is by no ways quick, merely it's simply peppy enough thanks to well-called gear ratios. Transmission-gearbox Mazda5 models feel more energetic than those with the automatic, but the automated offers full manumatic command.
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Top-notch steering and a nimble, athletic feel make the 5 a blast to drive, peculiarly when the road winds. The Mazda5's quick-ratio electro-hydraulic power steering is weighted about perfectly, and feels natural and confident whether yous're cruising on the highway or taking on the tight esses of a mount route. Likewise, body control is tight, and four-wheel disc brakes provide strong stopping power without the dramatic nosedive of other people-movers.
EPA fuel economy ratings for either model are 19 mpg urban center, 28 highway. Just nosotros've seen significantly better real-earth results. In a 420-mile, varied drive of a manual-gearbox model, over two mountain passes, mostly highway driving plus some urban center miles, we averaged about thirty mpg.
The basic design of the Mazda5 cabin is hard to fault in any way; Mazda has managed to fit seating for half dozen—three usable rows—in a vehicle that'due south shorter than a typical mid-size sedan. While forepart seats are a fiddling too skimpy and flat—even compared to those in the Mazda3, it seems—the buckets in the second row of the Mazda5 have plenty space for adults to be comfortable—or for kids to have their own individual seat. The third-row split bench is hard to get to—and adults will find their knees positioned toward their chins—merely it works in a compression, or more ofttimes for smaller kids. The v's cargo-and-versatility trumph is its easy-folding third-row seat. With a uncomplicated pull of a strap, the 3rd row seatback flips frontwards to a apartment cargo flooring. Then, for even more space, in two steps, you can flip the second row forward to almost align with the other portion—forming a mostly flat, huge cargo space without requiring much musculus or any removal of seats.
An available perforated leather upholstery with contrasting piping looks great from a distance, but upwardly close it feels a little slippery and overtreated; we think most Mazda5 buyers will be happy with the base material, which feels durable and looks set up to take on repeated deep cleans from toddlers' spills.
The two most significant letdowns of the Mazda5's interior are its drab, hard-and-hollow plastic trim for the nuance and door panels, and the seemingly ever-present din of road noise on some surfaces. Otherwise, ride quality is surprisingly absorbent and comfortable, given the suspension'south taut, responsive tuning.
With the base-model Mazda5 Sport trim, Mazda was clearly skimping a little bit on features in order to deliver information technology for a high-value base price of less than $20k, just we venture to say that much of the new-parent crowd will be a little disappointed at the lack of connectivity or pinnacle-notch sound systems. The five's rather primitive, basic audio organisation has no USB input or iPod compatibility, and with satellite radio it'southward only capable of displaying a few characters (information technology will whorl some entries but not others with the printing of a push button). Touring and Grand Touring models get Bluetooth hands-complimentary calling and Bluetooth audio streaming, though. In top-of-the-line Grand Touring form, the Mazda5 also comes with a power moonroof, heated mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, xenon HID headlamps, heated front seats, and Sirius satellite radio (a standalone option, too), all for around $25k.
The 2012 Mazda5 has the profile of a minivan, just scaled downward and with some intriguing details.
The Mazda5 has been completely redesigned for 2012, and while it keeps its meaty size and minivan-like proportions, information technology's a picayune more heady to wait at, especially from the side.
Every bit the commencement (and perchance just) vehicle to prefer Mazda's Nagare design language, the Mazda5's fenders are aggressively contoured, and there's a menstruum of creases and surfacing that rises from them, swooping along the side of the vehicle and entering a 'twist' at the front end of the front end door. Taillights have been made horizontal and more carlike, while in front there'due south a more than subtle version of the Mazda3's 'grinning' corporate grille—altogether making the Mazda5 look slightly lower and more than carlike in stance.
From a few paces back, the Mazda5 however looks like a well-designed vii/8-scale minivan—one that might park and maneuver a little easier, too (as it does). And to put information technology all into perspective, the Mazda5 is really five inches longer than the original Dodge Caravan, just nearly two feet shorter than what are at present called minivans, like the Honda Odyssey,Dodge One thousand Caravan, and Toyota Sienna. In truth, each of those vehicles at present nearly take up the space of the old boatlike station wagons they were intended to replace.
Mazda has updated the interior to better fit in with the interiors of the Mazda3 and Mazda6 lineups, with a more simple, matte await, with bright accents, throughout, and a few more curves added to the instrument panel. The Mazda5 gets the Mazda3's rounded climate control vents at either side, and center vents have been moved higher upwardly for better menstruation. Audio systems have also been completely redesigned and reconfigured, and there's a new trip meter and display up on top, in the line of sight.
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Responsive handling and curvy-road agility are Mazda5 strengths, but fast acceleration isn't.
The 2012 Mazda5 has a modest powertrains, but it'due south built on the aforementioned chassis and sporty running gear equally the Mazda3 hatchback and sedan—so it responds and corners with more athleticism than most wagons and people-movers.
The 157-horsepower, 2.five-liter four-cylinder, with either a six-speed manual transmission or five-speed automatic is by no means quick, but information technology'southward just peppy enough thanks to well-called gear ratios. A six-speed transmission gearbox is offered only in the base Sport model, while the five-speed automated that's optional in the Sport is standard in the Mazda5 Touring and Grand Touring models. Manual-gearbox Mazda5 models feel more energetic than those with the automatic, only the automatic offers full manumatic control.
Of the two transmissions, we pretty strongly recommend the manual, and if y'all're undecided, yous'll have a improve feel rowing your own gears. There's actually no point in revving the engine into its noisy upper reaches, though.
Top-notch steering and a nimble, able-bodied feel make the 5 a boom to bulldoze, especially when the road winds. The Mazda5'due south quick-ratio electro-hydraulic power steering is weighted most perfectly, and feels natural and confident whether you're cruising on the highway or taking on the tight esses of a mount road. Likewise, body command is tight, and iv-wheel disc brakes provide strong stopping power without the dramatic nosedive of other people-movers.
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You can carry upward to vi or take reward of unparalleled versatility; but the Mazda5's interior trims feel done on a upkeep.
The basic pattern of the Mazda5 cabin is difficult to error in whatever mode; Mazda has managed to fit seating for six—3 usable rows—in a vehicle that's shorter than a typical mid-size sedan.
While forepart seats are a little besides skimpy and flat—even compared to those in the Mazda3, it seems—the buckets in the second row of the Mazda5 have plenty space for adults to exist comfortable—or for kids to have their ain individual seat. The tertiary-row split demote is difficult to become to—and adults will find their knees positioned toward their chins—but it works in a compression, or more than frequently for smaller kids.
The 5'southward cargo-and-versatility trumph is its easy-folding tertiary-row seat. With a simple pull of a strap, the tertiary row seatback flips frontward to a flat cargo flooring. Then, for even more infinite, in 2 steps, you tin flip the 2d row forward to well-nigh marshal with the other portion—forming a more often than not flat, huge cargo space without requiring much muscle or whatsoever removal of seats.
Throughout the Mazda5's interior materials can be a letdown if you're expecting a premium feel; otherwise, they're fine considering the price range. An available perforated leather upholstery with contrasting piping looks bang-up from a altitude, but up close information technology feels a niggling slippery and overtreated; we think most Mazda5 buyers will be happy with the base cloth, which feels durable and looks ready to have on repeated deep cleans from toddlers' spills.
Up close, the drab, hard-and-hollow plastic trim for the dash and door panels is disappointing even considering the price, and there's a lot of road dissonance on some surfaces. Otherwise, ride quality is surprisingly absorbent and comfy, given the suspension'due south taut, responsive tuning.
Overall, too, the Mazda5 is user-friendly in a way that doesn't allow on complicated power controls, running boards, and such. You lot tin hands open or shut the non-power sliding doors with your thumb and forefinger; the hatch is hands closed and at arm'south height for even shorter moms; and second- and tertiary-row seats fold forward without a lot of straining or reaching.
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The Mazda5 lacks high-tech condom extras, but its improved torso construction for 2012 should assistance information technology do well in crash tests.
In that location aren't yet any crash-test results for the Mazda5, which has been fully redesigned for 2012. Only with an all-new, stronger 'triple-H' trunk construction plus improved side and roof protection, information technology should do a better job of occupant protection in general.
Head-protecting side-curtain bags reach back through all three rows, brake and accelerator pedals are no crushable to protect the driver'south legs, and a new Brake Override System is included. Electronic stability command is standard, as are anti-lock brakes.
The Mazda5's audio displays, and lack of connectivity features, are disappointing; otherwise it's a strong value.
Pricing and value are major reasons to consider the 5; the 2012 Mazda5 Sport starts at just $19,990 ($5k-$8k less than the base of operations versions of big minivans), including destination, and includes alloy wheels and dual-zone automatic climate command—two features that are otherwise relegated to top trim levels for both rival minivan and compact-crossover models. Other standard features include power windows, locks, and mirrors; a ane-bear upon-up commuter'due south window; a tilt/telescopic steering wheel; keyless entry; cruise command; and steering-wheel-mounted prowl and audio controls.
With the base of operations-model Mazda5 Sport trim, Mazda was clearly skimping a piddling fleck on features in lodge to deliver it for a loftier-value base of operations price of less than $20k, just we venture to say that much of the new-parent crowd will be a little disappointed at the lack of connectivity or acme-notch sound systems. The v'south rather primitive, basic audio system has no USB input or iPod compatibility, and with satellite radio it's but capable of displaying a few characters (it will scroll some entries but not others with the press of a button). The Grand Touring upgrades to a 6-CD changer, only in that location's still no Bose upgrade option and no USB plug or input available in the Mazda5 (though there is an aux-in), and so if you desire well-integrated iPod control, or even access to your songs on anything that'south not on an aged optical disc, you're out of luck. Oddly, the only direct media-role player connectivity is through Bluetooth audio streaming—a protocol that nosotros notwithstanding typically accept connectivity issues with, and a battery suck with most devices when there's no USB to proceed them charged.
Fifty-fifty more surprising is that there'due south no navigation option. Mazda is looking into offering a navsystem in the five, though if they do it wouldn't exist the excellent high-in-sight arrangement offered in the 3; rather it would be an in-dash, head-unit-type system.
Otherwise, Touring and Thousand Touring models get Bluetooth hands-free calling and Bluetooth audio streaming, though. In peak-of-the-line 1000 Touring form, the Mazda5 besides comes with a power moonroof, heated mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, xenon HID headlamps, heated front seats, and Sirius satellite radio (a standalone option, as well), all for around $25k.
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The 2012 Mazda5 is a relatively fuel-efficient choice, considering it tin seat six.
The 2012 Mazda5 gets pretty good mileage for a vehicle that tin can conduct up to six adults; but it could exercise even better.
Honda'south Odyssey actually ties the Mazda5 on the highway, with 28 mpg, although the Mazda5 ranks a somewhat better 21 mpg in the metropolis, versus xix for the Odyssey.
But we've seen significantly ameliorate real-globe results. In i 420-mile, varied weekend drive of a transmission-gearbox model, over two mountain passes, generally highway driving plus some city miles, nosotros averaged nearly xxx mpg.
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