PLUSES: Next generation design and amenities. Good mileage. Good performance. Good price. Clever use of space and attention to detail, such as stowage under cargo floor as well as under second row seats.
MINUSES: If you need to carry six folks AND six pieces of luggage, either the folks or luggage better be on the small side.
The 2012 Mazda5 is part wagon, part van, but when you connect the parts you essentially have one neat machine that defines the word multipurpose.
The Mazda5 can haul people and their stuff just like a wagon, while offering slide open doors on both sides for easier entry and exit for those people and their things just like a mini van.
The Mazda5, absent for the 2011 model year, has been redesigned for 2012 to look a little less like a van, more like a crossover.
The Mazda design staff used the 2011 model year layoff to find a useful purpose for just about every inch of space in the cabin so that you can carry people, gear, groceries, cups, bottles, maps, cell phones, iPods, and laptop computers.
The Mazda5 is offered in Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring versions with a choice of 6-speed manual (in Sport only, 5-speed previously) or 5-speed automatic. We tested the Touring with automatic.
As for size, it's either a large compact or a small intermediate that's not as big as a Chrysler, Toyota or Honda mini van. It seats 6 people in three rows of two, but doesn't have the massive cargo hold behind row three that a Chrysler, Toyota, or Honda van does.
Mazda boasts that the multipurpose vehicle has the zoom zoom DNA of every other machine in the family---coupe, sedan, roadster, or crossover---and is the reason a manual transmission is offered in the Sport version of the van.
But the quick (yet quiet) nature of this MPV isn't its chief attribute.
The 2.5 liter, 157 h.p. four cylinder offers more energy moving away from the light than the 2.3 liter, 153 h.p. four it replaces. Yet it also is rated at 21 m.p.g. city/28 m.p.g. highway, a 1 m.p.g. gain in highway mileage from the 21/27 rating with the former 2.3 liter four.
So despite zoom zoom, mileage does matter. A lot.
What's appreciated most, however, is the attention to detail. It's like Mazda has a suggestion box and responds to every request. Seats are well cushioned and offer above average support for long distance travel. But we'd settle for larger side bolsters rather than the pull down arm rests which are more of a nuisance catching sleeves than comforting elbows. That's one request for the suggestion box.
Up front the center console houses power plug and auxiliary audio input jack, cupholders, a small cubby hole for cell phone and/or iPod, and the doors holders for maps and water bottles.
In back the second row seats slide back to offer more leg room if the third row is vacant, or they slide forward if the third row is full and those occupants need room to stretch. The second row seats slide forward and the seat backs flip forward to create an aisle to row three.
The second row seats are nifty because the bottom cushions lift up to expose a hiding place for papers or valuables or the laptop computer. The under seat container also houses a flip out table top between the two second row seats with cupholders, sandwich tray, and net pouch to hold sandwiches. When the table top is left in the seat container the opening between the3 two seats serves as a walkway to the third seat. Excellent use of space.
Kudos to the designers as well for having a third seat in this midsize multipurpose machine, enabling you to carry up to 6 people in the cabin. With three rows of seats, however, cargo room is sacrificed.
There still is enough room behind the third row to hold some small pieces of luggage, such as carry ons, or a couple small duffel bags. And Mazda says the space will hold a folded baby stroller. But if six are going to be gone a couple weeks, count on finding a washer and dryer somewhere along the trip because you won't be able to pack that many clothes initially.
When it comes to gear, the golf bag might be a tight fit. The cargo hold will handle a week's supply of groceries, but to accommodate a month's worth of grub you have to fold either of the split third row rear seat backs to expand the cargo hold.
Thanks to dimensions smaller than the typical van, the Madza5 is easy to garage or park in the lot. The sliding doors ensure you can slip in or out the rear cabin without being troubled by those who park too close alongside in the lot.
Ride is smooth, while handling is more sedan than van like. Stability control and traction control are standard. With those van-like slab sides, however, when the winds are very gusty, you can experience a slap or two along the side on the interstate.
The Mazda5 Touring tested starts at $21,195 and includes such goodies as 17 inch all season radials, rear liftgate spoiler, side sill extensions, Bluetooth hands free phone connectivity, trip computer, automatic climate control, power windows, mirrors, and locks, but manually adjustable seats.
Grand Touring adds a power moonroof, rain sensing wipers, heated front seats, and an upgraded audio system with satellite radio and AM/FM/CD system. The power moonroof and heated seats are options on the Touring.
The Mazda5 offers good mileage and a wealth of amenities at a decent price, which is what any multipurpose vehicle should do.
2012 Mazda5 Touring
Wheelbase: 108.3 inches
Length: 180.5 inches
Engine: 2.5 liter, 157 h.p., four cylinder.
Transmission: 5-speed automatic.
Mileage: 21 m.p.g. city/28 m.p.g. highway.
Base price: $21,195.
Price as equipped: Add $50 rear bumper guards, $1,140 power moonroof
plus audio upgrade with satellite radio and in-dash CD changer, and $795
freight.
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