2008 Mazda MAZDA5 Consumer Reviews

Great car/van

Written by: mike on 10/07/2009

Vehicle

2008 Mazda MAZDA5 Sport 4dr Minivan (2.3L 4cyl 5A)

Review

About 1.5 years of ownership now. Great reliable vehicle. We bought it as the perfect 4 person family car and then got a surprise #3 child and it is not perfect for that but its ok. I added a roof rack and cargo box and thats takes care of storage issues on long trips. I should add I got 28-29 mpg on a recent road trip fully loaded down , roof box on top, and bikes

Favorite Features

MPG quality performance

Suggested Improvements

more cargo/seating room

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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I just cant wait to get rid of it!!!!!!

Written by: Really not liking it on 09/20/2009

Vehicle

2008 Mazda MAZDA5 Sport 4dr Minivan (2.3L 4cyl 5M)

Review

So we have now had this car for a little over a year and i would honestly say that i have had nothing but problems.After two months of purchase we hit a stick in the middle of the road and ended up with a whole the size of a softball in the gas tank and that was not covered by warranty. We have had to purchase several gas caps costing $65 each and a new gas intake. I also have had water spraying out the vents with the air conditioner on.This should not happen when you buy a new car all we have done is put more money in to this car then its worth and to top it off its such a hard car to try and trade in for a better car the dealerships DON'T WANT IT. I will never purchase a Mazda AGAIN ~!!!

Favorite Features

It gets great gas mileage, The sliding doors and the manual transmission.

Suggested Improvements

More room in the car its not easy to fill all the seats cause there is no room for all the people and baggage

2 out 6 people found this review helpful

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Love this Family car!!!

Written by: Angela on 08/30/2009

Vehicle

2008 Mazda MAZDA5 Sport 4dr Minivan (2.3L 4cyl 5A)

Review

Love, Love this car and it has been over a year now that we are driving it. I needed a family of four type of car with room for more kid passengers or grandparents on trips. This car was it! I did not want a large minivan and needed better mileage for my long trips on highway to visit family. Some reviewers complained a little about the road noise, I don't notice it at all. I previously owned a V6 pontiac grandAm and the Mazda 5 satisfies the need for pickup and speed. Drives great! The only thing I wish I did when I was getting the car was get one with a roof rack. It would be so useful on long family vacations.

Favorite Features

Does not drive like a minivan, it has a lot of pep and moves like a small car. The stereo 6-CD changer and the sliding doors

Suggested Improvements

Maybe a little storage in back when 3rd row seat is in use.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Just What I Needed

Written by: Dnice35 on 08/28/2009

Vehicle

2008 Mazda MAZDA5 Sport 4dr Minivan (2.3L 4cyl 5A)

Review

I have a newborn and before purchasing the Mazda 5 we had a mid-size sedan. It was a hassle to put the baby in and out of the car. We bought this car for the following reasons: 1. good gas millage 2. comfortable for the baby 3. design, So far it has met our expectations. We are more than pleased with our purchase.

Favorite Features

fodable third row. dual a/c. automatic and manual transmission. design. 6 cd changer.

Suggested Improvements

I guess the only things I can think of is a little more room in the trunk, as there is no space when the third row is being used. and maybe a little more power when accelerating wouldn't hurt.

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Loving the 5 II

Written by: Johnny on 07/31/2009

Vehicle

2008 Mazda MAZDA5 Touring 4dr Minivan (2.3L 4cyl 5A)

Review

It's been almost a year now since I bought the 5. It is my daily commuter. I was told to drive it like a sports car and I do. Commonly doing 85 in the interstate. Love the size and ease in parking. Still don't see many around and it fits our family of four. Better gas mileage than our Honda Oddy. Only issue with the 5 was that I couldn't get the gas cap off. It was a recall. All is fixed. I would buy another. Recently took it on four hour vacation, everything fit and mileage was great. Cant wait to see what the new one will look like. Most people don't know what it is. I like that. It stands out in a crowd.

Favorite Features

I like the shape. Has a sporty look.

Suggested Improvements

Power doors on the side and hatchback. A covered console between front two seats. Wish front two windows were auto up and down. Windows should come tinted.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Great buy!

Written by: Mike on 07/02/2009

Vehicle

2008 Mazda MAZDA5 Touring 4dr Minivan (2.3L 4cyl 5A)

Review

We bought this car as a family car just a few months ago and we could not be happier! We also looked around for sometime before we decided on the 5.

Favorite Features

Unique exterior styling. Great handling.

Suggested Improvements

Put the 2.3 turbo in it!

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Smooth-Riding Car for Small Families

Written by: Renee Lichtenhan on 05/20/2009

Vehicle

2008 Mazda MAZDA5 Sport 4dr Minivan (2.3L 4cyl 5A)

Review

This is a great little van for small families. Handling is really smooth, "Zoom Zoom", as they say. Very dependable. Lots of little nooks in the driver's side to stash cell phone, sunglasses, cosmetics. Easy to reach radio and temperature controls. Handy storage under middle bucket seats. Seats very easy to fold and slide where you need them to be. Ample storage when third row is folded down. But, if you've got people in the third row, forget about putting any luggage, groceries, or even school backpacks in the back.

Favorite Features

Quiet, smooth ride. Easy to handle. Gas mileage is fair. With A/C in summer average 22 mpg. Other times of year, best I saw was 29 mpg.

Suggested Improvements

This would suit a family of four, most of the time, especially if your kids are small. If you've got bigger kids and are hauling their friends around, too, it will feel too small. Third row makes storage useless.

6 out 6 people found this review helpful

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A great vehicle

Written by: ajl on 05/15/2009

Vehicle

2008 Mazda MAZDA5 Grand Touring 4dr Minivan (2.3L 4cyl 5A)

Review

We looked at everything in this price class,new and used. CR-V, RAV 4, Subaru Forester, Kia Rondo,Suzuki Grand Vitara. Nothing offered the combination of fun and function like the Mazda. This is not meant as a replacement for the minivan from Honda, Toyota,etc. You must drive this "microvan" before passing judgment on it. If you appreciate sharp steering and handling over a softer ride, you will not be disappointed. Bottom line: If you need to haul a small family around or just some stuff AND have fun doing it, the Mazda 5 is for you! It was for us! For those complaining about snow traction. Get four snow tires. 205/50/17 all season tires were never meant for snow!

Favorite Features

Handling, features on the Grand Touring like Bluetooth and Xenon headlamps, fuel mileage, the hiding places in the interior,exterior styling. The 5 is still fairly rare in my area, so I don't see another one everyday,which is kinda fun!

Suggested Improvements

OK, power is not the 5's strong point. Please Mazda, bring the turbo-diesel from Europe for this vehicle (143 hp 260 ft.lbs. of torque and 38 mpg city!) Some of the plastics are a bit cheap feeling inside and I'd like a bit more storage for the front passengers.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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It's Okay but I would not buy another

Written by: crankychick on 05/11/2009

Vehicle

2008 Mazda MAZDA5 Sport 4dr Minivan (2.3L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Have had our vehicle for over a year. Power steering keeps cutting out, brakes squeak like mad in the rain, dealer seems unable to fix either problem. We drive 34,000 km per year, are a family of 5 with 3 smaller sized teens, this is our only car. No where in the middle seats to put a drink down (our vehicle does not have the under seat fold out holder - which is annoying in itself). The back window never seems to stay clean, no matter how often we wash it, car washes seem to never get the whole back of the car. It is fun to drive, and looks great, gets excellent mileage BUT it is uncomfortable, and the person in the back row is either hot or cold. Needs AWD for North American snow

Favorite Features

Love the look of the car, the sliding door panels, and it is fun to drive. The wipers come on automatically when it rains - love that feature!

Suggested Improvements

Must have AWD for Northern Climates, power windows should be able to go up even if car is off! Drink holders for center row (not as an extra) Temperature adjustment for back row, front bumper too low for snowy climates should be raised just a little. Seating should be more comfortable - adjustable

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Perfect family car

Written by: Family of 4 on 05/01/2009

Vehicle

2008 Mazda MAZDA5 Touring 4dr Minivan (2.3L 4cyl 5A)

Review

Excellent Car. Have a family of 4 and needed the extra row in case we drove family and or friends. The kids love the sliding doors, and the storage under the seats. My wife and I love the excellent gas mileage. It is easy to drive - perfect for around town. Turns on a dime and has plenty of zoom. The other night I helped a friend move two couches - no problem with the seats down. Interior space is surprisingly large. With the 3rd row seats up, you have plenty of room for groceries. This car is perfect for a family watching their money.

Favorite Features

Handling - sliding doors - price - 3rd row - gas mileage

Suggested Improvements

The gas and brake pedals are a little close.

6 out 6 people found this review helpful

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