First Glance

Okay, it doesn't look like a minivan. Not so much, anyway. Mazda is a company with a strong brand identity. Mazda's cars don't look like everyone else's -- which is either a good thing or a bad thing, depending on how you like their choices. I happen to like the punky, modern Mazda aesthetic. Big, feline headlights stretch around the front corners of the car, drawing attention away from the minivan-like wedge nose. The body has more of a crossover shape than minivan, and the high-mounted taillights lend a unique modern air, as well as great visibility. The 17" alloy wheels look great -- I'll bet 18s would look even better. A close look at the door handles reveals something different about the Mazda5 -- the rear door handles are at the leading edge of the doors. Could these be suicide doors? No, they're sliding minivan doors, with the telltale door tracks well-camouflaged on the rear quarter panels. A handy set of features, as any parent with a stroller will tell you. The sliding doors also make accessing the back seat easier for adult passengers, especially in those "compact" spaces. The Mazda5 isn't going to win any beauty contests, but it doesn't scream out "Soccer Mom" like a full-sized minivan does. It hardly screams at all.

In the Driver's Seat

Easy-to-use nav controls sit on the center console next to the shifter.

(c) Jason Fogelson

Here's where the Mazda5 feels most like a minivan -- on the inside. The gear shift lever (manual on my test vehicle) is mounted up on the center console at waist height, rather than on the floor as you'd expect in a car. It leaves the floor between the front seats clear, great for a quick trip to the back seat from the front -- like you might need to make to separate squabbling siblings. The dash itself is simple, straightforward and cleanly designed, sharing buttons, controls and gauges with its Mazda brethren. My test vehicle was equipped with an optional navigation system ($2,000), which I would definitely choose. The easy-to-use system has intuitive menus and a no-nonsense interface that's mounted right next to the stick shift lever. The driving position is very upright and minivan-ish. A tilt and telescope adjustable steering wheel makes finding a reasonable driving position easy, and the driver's seat is firm and supportive. The captain-style middle row of seats are pretty good, too. You sit up high, with good head room and visibility. The third row seat is a little spare and bench-like for long rides, but great for the quick carpool commute. Leg room is tight in the back, but head room is great all around.

On the Road

A minivan can be great around town, and even better on a road trip. The seats fold down quickly and easily for great cargo space, and there are some nifty features, like a fold out table/storage/cupholder that hinges up from under the captain's seat. There's plenty of cubby storage and several power outlets around the cabin. It's not luxurious, but incredibly clean and functional, with enough flexibility in design for a family's needs. With the same basic mechanical underpinnings as the Mazda3, the Mazda5 is adequately propelled by its 2.3 liter four-cylinder engine, which produces 157 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque. At 3333 lbs, the Mazda5 outweighs the Mazda3 Wagon by 500 lbs, and performance suffers accordingly. Load up your Mazda5 with a few monkeys and a few crates of bananas, and you'll have to chug to the zoo in the slow lane. If you hit any curvy stretches, though, you'll be pleased with the Mazda5's handling. Surprisingly nimble and free of body roll, the Mazda5 delivers a good measure of driving satisfaction, along with good braking feel. Four-wheel independent suspension and front-wheel drive deliver a good ride. This is one area in which the minivan character of the Mazda5 is suppressed, and its car-based structure shines.

Journey's End

High mounted taillights add interest to the rear corners, as well as great visibility for safety’s sake.

(c) Jason Fogelson

The Mazda5 is a vehicle that can multi-task. It's a commuter one day, a cargo-hauler the next. It can go from dropping the kids off at the pool to loading up on garage sale junk in the blink of an eye. And it isn't an eyesore, as a minivan is in great danger of being. I'd go so far as to call the Mazda5 "attractive." If you're considering a Mazda5, there are lots of other interesting alternatives in the price range that might do the job for you just as well or even better.Honda's Element is the Swiss Army knife of cars. It's got plenty of useable space, and an interesting layout. Toyota's RAV4 is newly refined, and has a little more punch than the Mazda5. Don't forget the traditional minivan range, either. The Chevrolet Uplander and Dodge Caravan feature the kind of minivan designs that have been popular for decades now, and with good reason. Avoid the luxury add-ons and you could find a traditional minivan for close to the Mazda5's price.For clever, clean, uncluttered design, though, it's going to be tough to beat the Mazda5. I'm not a minivan guy, but I could easily see living with the Mazda5's convenience, flexibility and practicality. The Mazda5 might just be the minivan for people who hate minivans. Automotive Trade Shows in the world

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