2015 Mazda5: A Minivan With Some “Zoom Zoom”

As minivans go the Mazda5 is a very nice choice. In keeping with the aggressive engine lineups Mazda offers along with the outstanding size and handling that are present in their vehicles, the MAZDA5 offers a great deal of driving enjoyment, which isn’t normally something that can be said of a minivan. The MAZDA5 is unique in the fact that it is a compact minivan, meaning it’s shorter in wheelbase than most, allowing it to be easier to handle and maneuver wherever it needs to go. With seating for up to six to ride along, this minivan offers flexible seating arrangement and the dual sliding doors that help make this a great minivan to choose for the growing family.

The effect offered by having a shorter stance is not only an improvement in the handling, but also can be enjoyed in the fuel efficiency realm as well. Even though this is a shorter minivan, it still offers plenty of space behind the second row of seats. The only major change for the 2015 model is the deletion of the manual transmission, making the MAZDA5 an automatic transmission vehicle only.

At its size, the MAZDA5 doesn’t fit very well into any particular class of vehicle. It is a minivan so it should compete with the likes of the Honda Odyssey and Dodge Grand Caravan, but it performs much like a compact SUV therefore should compete with the Honda CR-V and Ford Edge. Regardless, the MAZDA5 offers a very firm suspension and agile handling that helps to give drivers the confidence needed to realize the full potential of the Mazda mantra of “zoom zoom”. Add a nicely designed cabin that is actually very quiet and this is one minivan/SUV that is really a lot of fun to drive and steals away from the boring old minivan doldrums other minivans have to deal with.

The MAZDA5 only offers one engine for owners to enjoy, but it’s a very nice engine attached to a very enjoyable transmission. This engine comes in as a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine that offers 157 horsepower and 163 lb.-ft. of torque. This engine is attached to a five-speed automatic transmission and offers fuel efficiency of 21 city/28 hwy mpg for owners to enjoy. All versions of this vehicle are front-wheel drive and run on regular gasoline offering a very nice savings at the gas pump.

Inside the cabin there is plenty of room for six passengers to enjoy the very aggressive driving of the MAZDA5. Even though the third row is really only meant for kids, the second row offers plenty of space for full-sized adults to be able to enjoy comfort during the ride. Mazda designed this vehicle to offer a ton if great storage and it has it everywhere for all passengers to have their own storage areas to take advantage of. For hauling more cargo, both the second and third rows fold down flat to offer a great deal of cargo space and make it easy to get the stuff home for a weekend project.

On the outside, most minivans don’t really offer much to look at, but the MAZDA5 is a bit different. With a very large smiling lower grill, the MAZDA5 looks very happy to be driving down the road. The headlights flank the grill very nicely to give a bit of excitement to the overall look. The side panels of this minivan have some interesting molding in place to give a sweeping appearance to the rear and the wheels offer a very interesting pattern that is attractive when parked or driving down the road.

The standard features for the MAZDA5 Sport model offers only a small amount of equipment to enjoy. This list includes cruise control, automatic climate control, remote keyless entry, a manual driver’s seat with height adjustment, a tilt/telescoping steering wheel and a six-speaker audio system with USB and auxiliary ports. The Touring model adds Bluetooth connectivity, backup sensors and a leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. At the top end, the Grand Touring model adds leather upholstery, a power moonroof, heated front seats, rain-sensing windshield wipers and a driver’s seat lumbar support.

The optional features that can be added to the MAZDA5 are pretty nice, to make this minivan one that the whole family will want to ride along in. This list includes a rear-seat DVD entertainment system with a seven-inch monitor and two wireless headsets, remote engine starting, a compass built into the rearview mirror, a HomeLink remote garage door or gate opener, a roof rack and the availability of several dealer installed options to give any owner what they need. By adding some or all of these features to the MAZDA5, this minivan will keep all occupants occupied on the longer road trips.

The base model of the MAZDA5 starts out around $22,000 for the stripped down Sport model. The Touring model comes in with a price of $23,100 and gives owners several more standard features for only a small increase in price. The Grand Touring model comes in with a starting price of $25,500 with lots of great features and equipment to enjoy. Most minivans begin well above even the highest price, giving the MAZDA5 a leg up in regards to price. This minivan offers plenty of driving enjoyment for any owner to take advantage of and be pleased with their choice of vehicle to drive.