2007 Mazda 5 PA

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2007 Mazda 5 Design

The Mazda5 holds six occupants and features flexible seating that can be reconfigured to maximize occupant or cargo space. Available in Sport, Touring and new Grand Touring trim levels for 2007, the Mazda5 is aimed at families on the go. From the side, the vista is much busier, although geometrically consistent. A strong wedge influence flares character lines and surface planes from the pinched-down front end rearward to a tall, chopped off, stubby tail rendered even more awkward by a pouting, bulbous rear bumper. Matte black B-pillars and C-pillars play down the height of the glasshouse. Side mirrors attach to the lower half of small, wind-wing-shaped quarter windows. Body-color, full-round handles bridge concave circles in the doors. A gentle bulge crossing the doors' lower extremities ties together the blistered fenders. The slots for the sliding side doors scar the flanks. The optional side sill extensions create a ground-effect look that somehow works, giving the perspective a more complete, more finished touch.

Mazda5's hood, though expansive, is better proportioned and flows more gracefully into the windshield and A-pillars than the larger MPV's. A single, horizontal bar divides the Mazda5's grille opening and supports the Mazda trademark logo. Fog lamps, when fitted, peer out of oversized recesses outboard of a broad air intake fronted by a crosshatch mesh positioned in the lower half of the wrap-around bumper fascia. Headlight housings slash into the fenders and reach around the sides to touch the front wheel well arches, which are mostly filled by the tires.

The Mazda5 looks very much like a shrink-to-fit version of the Mazda MPV minivan, one that has had six grown people belted inside then run through a scalding hot car wash, snuggling it down to its occupants' spatial zones. The MPV is of course built on a different mechanical platform and measures several inches larger than the Mazda5 in every critical dimension. Still, the MPV is smaller than most other minivans, and instyling cues, general outlines and silhouettes, the MPV and Mazda5 are very much in synch.

Handling of the 2007 Mazda 5

The 2.3-liter four-cylinder produces 153 horsepower and 148 pounds-feet of torque. A five-speed manual gearbox and a four-speed automatic transmission with a manual-shift mode are offered. There is enough torque to get everything underway with relative ease. The shift lever for the automatic transmission glides confidently through its gate. The automatic's manual shift mode is faithful to the concept, holding the selected gear regardless of engine speed. Push up to shift down, push down to shift up. Clutch engagement is smooth, and pedal take up is neither too light nor too heavy.

2007 Mazda 5 Lineup

Mazda5 Touring makes the moonroof, in-dash six-CD changer, side sill extensions, liftgate spoiler, and fog lamps standard; and further upgrades to automatic air conditioning, two more speakers for the stereo, leather cover for the steering wheel, and a combination fold-out table and cargo net bin for the center row of seats. Externally, the mirrors turn body-color (instead of black). A combined navigation and tire-pressure monitoring system is optional.

Mazda5 Sport comes with air conditioning; power windows and central locking; four-speaker, multi-source stereo; steering wheel-mounted speed and sound controls; inboard armrests on the middle-row seats; four passenger assist grips; and carpeted floor mats. Cruise control, a tilt-and-telescope steering wheel, power outside mirrors and a six-way adjustable driver's seat with inboard armrest facilitate driver-to-car interfacing. An attractive and durable-looking fabric covers seats and door panels with seat side bolsters and insets wearing contrasting textures. The standard wheel-and-tire package consists of 205/50 V-rated all-season radials on 17-inch alloy rims.

Interior of the 2007 Mazda 5

There's plenty of head room, measuring only 1.5 inches less than in the Ford Freestyle, another tall station wagon with three rows of seats; and a mere 0.2 inches shy of the Dodge Caravan, which is still something of a benchmark among shorter-wheelbase minivans. Access to that third row is achieved by yanking on a loop sticking out from between the second-row seat bottom and back and folding the seat bottom forward; then, releasinga lever on the side and the seat back to fold it forward.

Head restraints are adjustable in all three rows. The Mazda5's second-row seats can slide and recline, and standard cabin features on the Sport model include a CD stereo, cruise control, and power windows and locks.

Conclusion

The Mazda5 is an impressive package in this price range. It seats six yet takes up less space than a minivan and costs less to buy and operate. The new Grand Touring version adds a touch of luxury to this otherwise utilitarian package.

Some information for this review was obtained from NewCarTestDrive.com