2006 Mazda Mazda5 Review Summaries

What reviewers liked most about the Mazda Mazda5:

...the engine performed very well, both on city streets and a highway jaunt. An added bonus is a timing chain, eliminating the pricey maintenance of a belt.

-- Canadian Driver

The Mazda5's interior is thoughtfully planned, with two sliding doors that open wider than on the full-size MPV minivan, and a clever liftgate that opens in two stages. Shorter users can access the rear cargo without the gate opening above their reach, while taller people can open it fully.

-- Canadian Driver

The GT includes a clever storage system dubbed the "Karakuri table". The cushions on both second-row seats flip up, revealing storage bins; a small plastic table, with cupholders and net storage bag, pulls out of the passenger-side seat and fits between the two.

-- Canadian Driver

Once inside, adults who are not overly large can sit in reasonable comfort in all three rows as long as everyone is willing to compromise a bit on knee and leg room.

-- Cars.com

Handling around curves is competent, and the tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, along with a variety of manual driver's seat adjustments, should allow most people to find a comfortable driving position.

-- Cars.com

What reviewers liked least about the Mazda Mazda5:

If there's any downside to the Mazda5's design, it's in the lower sliding door hinge, which is large, flat and fully exposed, and in a position where it's perfect as a step in or out for tiny feet. There's a large warning sticker on it, but parents will have to be diligent about cautioning children not to step on or insert a hand into this potential pinch-point.

-- Canadian Driver

...the only turnoff might be the minivan design, with sliding side doors.

-- Cars.com

Mazda Mazda5 Comparisons:

Interior space is 142 cubic feet. That means if you use the 5 as a vehicle for four, it has 98 cubic feet of passenger space-as much as a mid-size sedan-with a whopping 44 cubic feet of cargo space, or more than three times what you'd find in a mid-size car's trunk.

-- Cars.com

Best one-liner about the Mazda Mazda5:

...Mazda introduces its new 5, which resembles nothing else available in this country but seems poised-despite lingering prejudices-to carve yet another niche in a market pockmarked with them.

-- Cars.com