2006 Mazda 5 from North America - Comments

The car had a recall on the exhaust when I first purchased the car in August of 2005. All new models have been fixed. This was a disappointment, but Mazda handled it rather well.

The Mazda 5 is very practical, comfortable, with a smartly designed interior.

The inside is very roomy. The Mazda 5 is considered a euro space bus, which means it's big on the inside and small on the outside (181" long) and very easy to steer. The electronic steering helps alot. The Mazda 5 is easy to park and manuver.

The pick up is good for a 4 cylinder engine.

Visibility is very good out the back.

The Mazda 5 looks like a giant Toyota Matrix or Pontiac Vibe.

The in dash cd player and navigation are nice features.

One down side is that leather seats are not available, and the only color for the seats is black.

Please keep posting updates on your Mazda5. I am thinking of upgrading from my current Toyota Matrix RX. Two questions: can the space between the second row seats be occupied by a passenger? or is it just a gang way? Also, how will the third row passenger step in? will it be only through between the second row seats? or do the second row seats slide forward far enough for this?

Cheers!

The Mazda 5 have two seats in the second row. No where

for person three to sit in second row. Storage bin is in

between the two seats.

There are sliding doors on both sides that allow a third row passanger to enter. The second row seats have storage under

them and fold flat for maximum storage capacity.

The third row is extremely small, maybe 30" leg room, good for a very short trip or kids. I wouldn't put my kid in a third row seat, plus, when the third row seat is in use you loose almost all trunk area storage.

Here are a few more interesting facts.

The less expense sport model has a cd player that plays mp3's.

The more expensive touring version has an in dash cd player, but it doesn't play mp3's.

The driver seat has one arm rest, no other seat has arm rests.

Also, I think the Mazda 5 has a tire pressure sensor, but it is not mentioned on the Mazda web site and the very earliest

cars off the assembly line did not have it.

Just purchased a UK Mazda 5 sport which is top spec in UK apart from sportnav which has full sat nav and reverse camera. The space in between the two 2nd row seats is filled with a nifty jump seat which can be folded into the base of the near side seat and the back rest comes forward to create an arm rest! Build quality as with all Mazda's is superb and the car is really lively to drive. Excellent handling and plenty of power from the 2.0 16v 145bhp engine.

I just bought my Mazda5, the dealership said Mazda is beginning to sell like a Saturn dealership in that there is not a lot of wiggle room in the price. Is this true? I paid $20,000. I got the touring edition and requested a roof rack and tinted windows. No navigational system or cassette just the 6-disc CD, and moon roof. Now, I had done my research and the Mazda5 came standard with 6 airbags where the Ford freestyle they were options. And the Fords starting price was much higher. My kids and I really love this wagon/van. No problems yet, but it only has 400 miles on it.

I rented a Mazda5 for an eight hour business trip. It was a wonderfully designed vehicle, but it's a shame that Mazda didn't install a bigger engine. Acceleration was sluggish and it made highway merging dangerous-Motor Trend claims 9 seconds, but it felt more like 11.5. Also, the car had a serious wet-weather traction problem. Rough wet roads are to be avoided entirely.

Better tires would more than likely solve traction problems in wet conditions. Keep the updates coming, I am also interested in a Mazda5 since I am starting a family. I feel this is one of the most child friendly vehicles out there.

Does any one know? will the mazda 5 fit a queen size bed (just for hauling purposes)? I am moving and want to know if this car will work or if I need to rent a truck? Thanks!