2012 Mazda 5 Review
2012 Mazda 5 Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Sharp handling
- easier to park and maneuver than a regular minivan
- affordable price
- sliding doors are great for parking lots.
Cons
- Missing some popular minivan options
- seats only six
- fuel economy only slightly better than a minivan.
What’s new
The 2012 Mazda 5 has been completely redesigned.
Edmunds says
The sporty 2012 Mazda 5 should be just right for folks who don't need all the size or space of a full-size minivan.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2012 Mazda 5 Sport 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 6M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$181/mo for 5 Sport
5 Sport
vs
$183/mo
Avg. Compact Minivan
Vehicle overview
There's a reason the minivan is considered the quintessential vehicle for parents. You see, it's the perfect vehicle for schlepping around the kids and the stuff that comes along with them. No other vehicle can match the minivan's huge interior space, three rows of seating, sliding rear doors and low ride height. Yet as great as a minivan is, it can be overkill for families with just one or two little ones. That's where the 2012 Mazda 5 comes in.
Completely redesigned for 2012, the latest Mazda 5 is an evolution of the previous model. Highlights include a bit more power, more comfortable seating and swoopier styling. At its core, however, the 5 remains a mini-minivan for those with modest family transportation needs. With two seats in each of its three rows, it only seats six compared to the seven- or eight-passenger seating of a big minivan (now that's an oxymoron). But if occasions to haul multiple passengers are few and far between, the Mazda 5's design has a sizable (size being the operative word here) practical advantage over compact crossover SUVs.
There's another advantage the Mazda 5 has over its quasi-family mobile competitors -- it's fun to drive. Like the Mazda 3, it goes around corners with control and poise. Some automakers may boast that their minivans or SUVs "handle like a car," but the Mazda 5 actually does. In fact, it handles like a really good car. Because of its smaller size, it's also much easier to maneuver through tighter spaces, and you won't have to think twice about squeezing into compact parking spots.
That said, the 2012 Mazda 5 certainly isn't for everyone. Some folks really do need commodious space, and there's something to be said for V6 power on hilly terrain or with a full load of people aboard. The Mazda 5 also isn't available with certain features common to regular minivans, like power-operated sliding doors, sunshades or factory-installed navigation and entertainment systems. In contrast, the Ford C-Max -- also a mini minivan built on a platform shared with the Mazda 5 – has all sorts of electronics features. Still, the Mazda 5 has everything you need and enough passenger and cargo space for most young families. Essentially a design hybrid between a minivan and a wagon, the Mazda 5 is a great alternative choice and definitely worth a look in these lean economic times.
Performance & mpg
Every 2012 Mazda 5 is powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that produces 157 horsepower and 163 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual is standard on the Sport, while a five-speed automatic is optional on the Sport and standard on everything else. In Edmunds performance testing, a 5 Grand Touring went from zero to 60 mph in 9.5 seconds -- slower than most typical minivans and many compact SUVs. With either transmission, fuel economy is estimated at 21 mpg city/28 highway.
Safety
Every Mazda 5 comes with standard stability and traction control, four-wheel antilock disc brakes with brake assist, front side airbags and side curtain airbags. In Edmunds brake testing, the 5 came to a stop from 60 mph in 130 feet -- a few feet longer than average.
Driving
If you want some added utility but don't want to give up the agility and urban maneuverability of car, the 2012 Mazda 5 is an excellent choice. Acceleration is slightly pokey (especially on hilly terrain), but the 5's handling is excellent. On winding roads, the 5 rewards the driver with precise steering and controlled body motions. Passengers riding with an enthusiastic driver will also appreciate a retuned suspension that helps keep them from sliding and swaying in their seats. On the Edmunds test track, the 5 nearly matched the handling numbers of the much smaller Mazda 2. Quite simply, the 5 is fun to drive, something we can't say about any other regular minivan.
Interior
While the 5 is obviously smaller than the typical minivan, it still packs plenty of interior versatility. The comfortable second-row captain's chairs slide and recline, and the passenger-side seat features a nifty pop-up center table and storage space that can be fitted between the chairs (and later stowed away, creating a walk-through channel to the third row). The third row is big enough for kids and is easier to get into than every crossover third row we can think of. At the same time, the sliding rear doors mean easy access, particularly in parking lots.
Up front, the new 5's dash layout has remained largely the same, and the overall look is sleeker now. All of the controls are easy to reach and use, and that helps the 5 feel much more like a regular car from behind the wheel. The front seats provide respectable comfort, though taller folks may wish for more rearward seat travel.
2012 Mazda 5 models
The 2012 Mazda 5 is a three-row, six-passenger compact minivan available in three trim levels: Sport, Touring and Grand Touring. The base Sport comes standard with 16-inch alloy wheels, full power accessories, keyless entry, cruise control, automatic climate control (with rear vents and fan controls), a height-adjustable driver seat, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel and a six-speaker sound system with a CD player and an auxiliary audio jack.
The 5 Touring adds 17-inch alloy wheels, foglights, a rear spoiler, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a trip computer and Bluetooth. For the Touring, the optional Moonroof & Audio package adds a sunroof, satellite radio and a six-CD changer. This package is standard on the 5 Grand Touring, which also gets automatic xenon headlights, heated mirrors, automatic wipers, driver lumbar adjustment, heated front seats and leather upholstery.
There are a number of dealer-installed extras that will be available later in the model year, including remote ignition, an iPod interface, a Garmin portable navigation system and a DVD entertainment system.
Reliability Ratings by RepairPal
3.5 out of 5 stars3.5/5Above Average
#43 out of 46 among Compact Cars
RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.
Cost
The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Mazda 5 from 2008-2022.$473/yr
vs. $416/yr
for Average Compact Car
for Average Compact Car
Frequency
The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).1.84x/yr
vs. 1.01x/yr
for Average Compact Car
for Average Compact Car
Severity
The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).13.3%
vs. 10.4%
for Average Compact Car
for Average Compact Car
powered by RepairPal Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2012 Mazda 5.
5 star(75%)
4 star(11%)
3 star(11%)
2 star(3%)
1 star(0%)
36 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.88 out of 5 stars
Sporty Mini' Minivan w/Zoom-Zoom appeal!
mikeyg616, 02/28/2011
2012 Mazda 5 Touring 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 5A)
i did so much research on the perfect family hauler without breaking the bank&also not looking like i 'gave up'&was so happy to find the new 5!it has everything i was looking for to transport my family of 4,we chose the upgraded 'touring model which adds fogs,spoiler side skirts 17' rims nicer grill &leather wheel,power is surprisingly good w/ smooth tranny & good mpg!turning radius is … great!the seats are really comfy,the dual slide doors are light and easy to use for wifey w kiddies!pass/cargo room is also more then adequate,this mpv is a hot seller in Europe and only car in its class that got rave reviews..much better ad easier then suv w 3rd row,i highly recommend,we love our 2012 5!
4.63 out of 5 stars
Fantastic vehicle
troyohchatter, 12/21/2013
2012 Mazda 5 Sport 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 5A)
The specs tell the story of a very average vehicle.
Average power, MPG, etc.
But just drive it.
Handles great, the seating position is ideal, the automatic drivetrain is near perfect, even for a guy that prefers a manual, and it can seat six adults in a pinch (front and middle rows move up a notch).
The vehicle is tight as a drum, low noise level, and overall is tighter than the last … Honda we had, a 2003 CR-V.
I have no idea why anyone with kids would want doors that are not sliders.
Sliding doors do not hit other cars in parking lots and allow easy access to child seats.
5 out of 5 stars
Absolutely Love my M5
jdooleyvt, 04/23/2012
2012 Mazda 5 Sport 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 5A)
We've spent about 10 months with our Mazda5 already.
We have two daughters under the age of two.
The car seats, strollers, diaper bags and other bulky kid stuff all fits in the Mazda 5 without any issue.
This car is simply a blast to drive.
It is easy to forget that you are driving a vehicle with sliding doors.
Loading the girls into the back seat is easy and once they start opening the … doors themselves I don't have to worry about them putting a dent in another car in the parking lot.
This car is perfect size for a family of four and the extra seats are a great option.
In mostly city driving I get about 25-26 mpg on a longer trip it gets over 30 mpg.
My best is over 35 mpg.
4.75 out of 5 stars
Best people hauler for the money
roth4fun, 04/15/2011
2012 Mazda 5 Touring 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 5A)
My wife and I shopped around for a month trying to find a replacement for our aging Odyssey.
Wanted better gas mileage, room for 6, and best value for the money stayng in the low to mid $20k range.
We found that in the Mazda 5. Was the first we test drove and the one we bought.
Considered RAV-4 with 3rd row, Sedona with 3rd row, Dodge Journey, Odyssey, Traverse, Equinox, and others.
2012 5 Highlights
Sport
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $19,625 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 24 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $181/month |
Seating | 6 seats |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the 5 include:
- Alarm
- Tire Pressure Warning
- Stability Control
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