The Mazda 5 is a fully featured urban minivan that has been designed for versatility. The variety of interior configurations makes it easy to adapt it to the changing day to day needs of the average busy household. The design allows seating for up to six passengers or a large, easily accessible rear storage area that makes it a practical small cargo van.
The practicality of the Mazda 5 doesn’t come at the cost of luxury and it has all of the comfort of a sedan. We took a look at this model at the Sport Durst dealership, and were pretty impressed. There are three rows of seating and the spacious interior provides ample leg room for all of the passengers. The second row captain’s chairs recline for greater comfort and the 50/50 split seatback in the third row can be folded flat to provide 44.4 cubic feet of cargo space. The sliding rear doors provide convenient access for passengers and along with the rear lift gate make loading and unloading the Mazda 5 easy.
It has the sort of features that you would only expect to see in a sedan with remote keyless illuminated entry, automatic climate control with separate controls for the rear seats and steering wheel controls. There is a six speaker audio system that includes full USB and iPod connectivity as well as Bluetooth hands free functionality. The Mazda 5 is powered by a 2.5 liter DOHC engine that generates 157 hp with variable valve timing to improve the torque. There is a choice of a 6 speed manual transmission or a 5 speed automatic for the Touring models. All round independent suspension and electro-hydraulic power assist steering deliver a smooth ride and excellent handling that gives the Mazda 5 a small 36 foot turning circle and maneuverability that other minivans can’t match. Prices from $20,000 also make this one of the best value for money small vans on the road.
