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Mazda 5 2006
By Peter Bleakney
 In light of the latest bought of roller-coaster fuel prices and the increasing environmental awareness among motorists, Mazda couldn’t have picked a better time to foist a bargain-priced, four cylinder mini-minivan on the North American market.
The Mazda 5, a tidy six-seat people hauler, is based on the corporate platform that holds up the Mazda 3, Volvo S40 and the new European Ford Escort. The idea of a compact economical minivan is not new. This form of transport, known as the MPV (multi purpose vehicle), has been available in Europe for years with such offerings as the Renault Scenic, Ford Galaxie, Toyota Verso and Fiat Multipla.
But for procreators on this side of the pond, this stylish van/car crossover offers something relatively new. Namely, a chance to stir your own gears and avoid frequent trips to the gas pumps while going about the daily domestic duties. And looking relatively cool while doing so.
The Mazda 5 comes in two trim levels – the $19,995 GL and the $22,795 GT – and both are motivated by Mazda’s 2.3 litre DOHC 16-valve four which puts out 157 hp and 148 lb/ft of torque at.4500 rpm.
Those prices are a tad misleading, however, as air conditioning (with automatic climate control) will cost you $1100. Mazda’s marketing types presumably came up with that little ruse to keep the base price below the 20 grand mark.
 That small caveat aside, the Mazda 5, even in base GL trim, comes very well equipped for a vehicle in this snack bracket. Sixteen inch alloys are standard, as is ABS with electronic brake force distribution, rain sensing wipers, anti-theft alarm, 4 speaker CD/AM/FM, power locks, mirrors and windows, and a tilt/telescoping steering wheel with audio controls.
The GT adds handsome five-spoke 17” alloys, side and head curtain airbags, a six-speaker sound system, fog lights, sporty body cladding, heated mirrors, cruise (with steering wheel controls), power moon roof, power latching for the sliding doors, and a leather wrapped wheel and shift knob.
Both models come with a slick-shifting five-speed manual transmission, although a four-speed auto with manual override can be had for $1000.
Sadly, heated seats and traction control are not available.
Externally, the Mazda 5 has a taut, wedgy profile that (especially in GT guise) emotes Euro-cool with a dash of sport-compact street cred. Mazda is targeting the young, hip urban family with this crossover, and if the exterior doesn’t win them over, the clever interior packaging should.
Two large sliding doors give easy access to the second row bucket seats which slide forward and aft, creating more legroom for those in the third row if needed. The second row seat cushions flip up to reveal more storage, and a clever tray folds out from under the right seat, giving the kids a place to put drinks, Game Boys, etc.
The middle and third row seats each fold flat, providing numerous people/cargo combinations. Will all the seats down, there’s 170 cm of flat storage.
While the third row may not be the epitome of comfort, it is fine for kids and adults on short jaunts. There isn’t a whole lot of storage space behind those seats, however, so although the Mazda 5 will carry six, they’d better be packing light.
 Down the road, the 5 serves up something no other minivan can offer – actual driver involvement and a modicum of sporty character. No, you’ll never mistake this for a Miata, but there’s enough zoom-zoom DNA here to keep you feeling young at heart while ferrying the progeny.
The electronic steering is communicative and accurate, and although the suspension is tuned more for comfort than canyon carving, the 5 responds to inputs with a satisfying immediacy. The five speed shifter, which sprouts from the base of the centre console (a la WRC rally car) slices cleanly through the box, and the clutch is smooth and progressive.
The 2.3 litre four acquits itself quite well, considering the 1512 kg it has to haul around, With the 5 loaded down, however, progress is a little more lethargic, and passing maneuvers have to be planned well in advance. Some of this power deficiency is overcome by relatively short gearing. At 120 kph the engine spins at 3500 rpm, but to the Mazda’s credit there is no engine thrum at speed.
Overall, the Mazda 5 feels very refined for, well yes, a near entry level vehicle – a fact that is easy to forget when driving this compact hauler. Road imperfections are dispatched with a distant thrump as the suspension (front independent strut and multi-link rear) goes about its business. The stereo sounds rich and the leather wrapped multi-function wheel in the GT is a thing of beauty. It wouldn’t look out of place in an Audi.
 About the only give-away to the 5’s bargain-basement price tag is the rest of the interior. It is a stylish design, but the acres of hard black plastic and faux-aluminum accents scream econocar. Similarily, the seat fabric is shiny and cheap looking. On the plus side, it all seems pretty tough, so you can bet it will wear well.
In my week of testing, the Mazda returned an impressive 8.5 L/100.
Considering Canadian’s penchant for well-priced and practical vehicles, Mazda should have no problem moving a boatload of these puppies. The fact that the Mazda 5 adds a dash of styling panache and a pinch of driving fun into the recipe is icing on the cake.
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