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DRIVEN: Mazda’s Cool Little Minivan
Mazda5 returns for 2012 with crisp drivability, evocative styling and room for six on a compact platform.
The revamped Mazda5 for 2012 gets new styling and improved performance, while holding the line on fuel economy. (Photo: Mazda)
Stepping behind the wheel of the Mazda5 for the first time, I encountered something strange. Welcomed, but strange nonetheless.
The 2012 Mazda5 test car was the first time in my memory that I have ever driving a minivan with stickshift. Three pedals, six speeds, a genuine shift-it-yourself gearbox in a minivan. How strange.
I felt so European piloting this sensible six-seater around the wilds of Phoenix. The manual transmission certainly enhanced the experience.
But Mazda5 has some other sporty attributes as well, such as surprisingly nimble handling and braking, while losing much of the stigma of the dreaded family conveyance known as a minivan.
Mazda5 returns us to the days of yesteryear when minivans actually were “mini” vans. The original front-drive minivan invented by Chrysler way back in the ’80s had an overall length of just 176 inches. While the Mazda5 looks tiny today compared with “normal-size” minivans, it’s actually 4.5 inches longer than the original Chrysler people movers.
So that kind of puts Mazda5 in perspective. Minivans have grown precipitously over the years as consumers demanded more space inside. Now such popular models as the Honda Odyssey or the Chrysler Town and Country measure 202.9 and 202.8 inches long, respectively.
With that growth came bigger V6 engines to power them as their weight mushroomed, while fuel mileage sank. It was all a tradeoff for the convenience and versatility of a roomy, eight- or nine-passenger interior with cargo space to spare.
Mazda5 stands alone in the U.S. market with its compact dimensions; its nearest competition, Kia Rondo, was discontinued last year. The Mazda has been significantly revamped for 2012 (there was no 2011 model) with a stylish new exterior, substantially new interior and a larger four-cylinder engine.
The styling is fairly interesting, with waves of contours sweeping along its flanks. I never could decide whether I loved it or hated it, but it’s bold and different, and further sets Mazda5 apart from the herd.
Where the Mazda5 seems small is in its width, which is about as wide as a midsize car. Outside, it measures just 68.9 inches compared with 79.2 inches for the Odyssey. That makes a huge difference in interior space, with the Mazda having three rows of seats that seat just six, two abreast.
The front and middle seats have plenty of space for full-size adult humans, while the way-back row is most usable by kids, who are also most likely to be agile enough to climb back there. Cargo space is scant behind the rear seat, although when the seat’s folded into the floor – a quick and easy process – the rear area becomes fairly voluminous.
Mazda5 drives like a different animal altogether than a regular minivan, more like a compact crossover SUV. Actually, Mazda says its progeny competes with crossovers and compact wagons, though they also call it a Multi Activity Vehicle rather than a minivan.
The drivability is decent, the hard-working little four-banger making plenty of power while the manual shifting helped wring the most out of it. It felt just a bit tippy in turns on its soft suspension, but it was essentially quick handling and stable under normal driving conditions.
The 2012 Mazda5 test car was the first time in my memory that I have ever driving a minivan with stickshift. Three pedals, six speeds, a genuine shift-it-yourself gearbox in a minivan. How strange.
I felt so European piloting this sensible six-seater around the wilds of Phoenix. The manual transmission certainly enhanced the experience.
But Mazda5 has some other sporty attributes as well, such as surprisingly nimble handling and braking, while losing much of the stigma of the dreaded family conveyance known as a minivan.
Mazda5 returns us to the days of yesteryear when minivans actually were “mini” vans. The original front-drive minivan invented by Chrysler way back in the ’80s had an overall length of just 176 inches. While the Mazda5 looks tiny today compared with “normal-size” minivans, it’s actually 4.5 inches longer than the original Chrysler people movers.
So that kind of puts Mazda5 in perspective. Minivans have grown precipitously over the years as consumers demanded more space inside. Now such popular models as the Honda Odyssey or the Chrysler Town and Country measure 202.9 and 202.8 inches long, respectively.
With that growth came bigger V6 engines to power them as their weight mushroomed, while fuel mileage sank. It was all a tradeoff for the convenience and versatility of a roomy, eight- or nine-passenger interior with cargo space to spare.
Mazda5 stands alone in the U.S. market with its compact dimensions; its nearest competition, Kia Rondo, was discontinued last year. The Mazda has been significantly revamped for 2012 (there was no 2011 model) with a stylish new exterior, substantially new interior and a larger four-cylinder engine.
The styling is fairly interesting, with waves of contours sweeping along its flanks. I never could decide whether I loved it or hated it, but it’s bold and different, and further sets Mazda5 apart from the herd.
Where the Mazda5 seems small is in its width, which is about as wide as a midsize car. Outside, it measures just 68.9 inches compared with 79.2 inches for the Odyssey. That makes a huge difference in interior space, with the Mazda having three rows of seats that seat just six, two abreast.
The front and middle seats have plenty of space for full-size adult humans, while the way-back row is most usable by kids, who are also most likely to be agile enough to climb back there. Cargo space is scant behind the rear seat, although when the seat’s folded into the floor – a quick and easy process – the rear area becomes fairly voluminous.
Mazda5 drives like a different animal altogether than a regular minivan, more like a compact crossover SUV. Actually, Mazda says its progeny competes with crossovers and compact wagons, though they also call it a Multi Activity Vehicle rather than a minivan.
The drivability is decent, the hard-working little four-banger making plenty of power while the manual shifting helped wring the most out of it. It felt just a bit tippy in turns on its soft suspension, but it was essentially quick handling and stable under normal driving conditions.
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