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We have a limited number of reviews for the 2014 5, so we've included reviews for other years of the 5 since its last redesign.
Sporty Mini' Minivan w/Zoom-Zoom appeal!
mikeyg616, 02/28/2011
2012 Mazda 5 Touring 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 5A)
88 of 88 people found this review helpful
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!
Fantastic vehicle
troyohchatter, 12/21/2013
2012 Mazda 5 Sport 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 5A)
58 of 59 people found this review helpful
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.
2014 Mazda 5 for sale near you
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- Grand Touring Passenger MinivanMSRP: $6,30623 mi away
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Absolutely Love my M5
jdooleyvt, 04/23/2012
2012 Mazda 5 Sport 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 5A)
34 of 34 people found this review helpful
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.
Best people hauler for the money
roth4fun, 04/15/2011
2012 Mazda 5 Touring 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 5A)
70 of 72 people found this review helpful
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.
Great Automobile
cogo1020, 10/05/2011
2012 Mazda 5 Sport 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 5A)
26 of 26 people found this review helpful
The 2012 Mazda5 is a great car for the value! Great design, great ride, great performance, and absolutely great interior comfort! It looks pretty stylish on the outside too! I love this car! You will not be dissapointed.
Perfect Solution Vehicle
ruddyduck67, 08/04/2011
2012 Mazda 5 Grand Touring 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 5A)
49 of 51 people found this review helpful
With a newborn and 4 year old we ran into the issue that you have NO ROOM for a 5th passenger in a standard car with the 2 car seats, (we had a Civic and a Outback Wagon). Looked around for somthing to carry the occasional 5-6 passengers and found a limited market. Considered the standard Odessey/Sienna and even the RAV4 with tiny back bench. Anyway...the full size vans seemed to be overkill and were reaching 40K so I looked at the 5. Wow! We love it. Comfortably fits six, drives like a sporty sedan and fits in the tightest spots. Looks small on the outside but is roomy inside.
First 1500 Miles on Mazda 5, 6-Speed Manual
superelevated, 06/16/2011
2012 Mazda 5 Sport 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 6M)
60 of 63 people found this review helpful
Mazda hit a home run with this little gem. I love driving, and normally drive my vehicles like they are stolen. We have two kids that were having a hard time fitting in our 08 Jetta (yes, also with a manual). We now have taken day trips with two kids and 4 adults with no problems fitting everyone comfortably. We have also fit 6 adults fairly comfortably for short trips. This car is fun to drive, and yet very economical. We get 23-25 mpg when driving hard or fully loaded with people, and have gotten 30 mpg on a 350 mile road trip. Right now we are averaging 27.4mpg over the life of the car. I can't believe I'm driving a mini-minivan that is this practical and fun!
Great for Short driver
lvt1, 02/02/2012
2012 Mazda 5 Touring 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 5A)
19 of 19 people found this review helpful
I am only 5 ft. tall. I usually drive vans/jeeps for better view while driving. I fell for this minivan for several reasons: 1. best height adjustment I found for manual 2. great visual field for driver 3. all six seats are fine for me 4. handling feels good 5. not much road noise 6. better mileage than a Grand Caravan 7. middle row seats can slide by 6 inches
One of the best cars I’ve ever owned...
J Flynn, 01/13/2020
2012 Mazda 5 Touring 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 5A)
18 of 18 people found this review helpful
I think I’ve owned 6 or 7 cars since high shoot, and each has a special place. But my 5? That’s a different story. I chose this car because it was different. It looked like nothing else on the road. It had the utility of a minivan but drove like a sedan. You cannot scoff at the space. It is really comfortable, but if you are a bigger person in either height or weight it may be a little uncomfortable. (I am 5’7’’ and about 165 lbs. I think someone 6’ could fit comfortably in the front. The further back in rows you go the tighter it gets. Edmunds knocks it down a little in their review because it “only” seats 6, but we are a family of 3 with a dog. So everyone is comfortable. the front four seats are captain’s chairs and the back row has been down for us since about mid 2013! One of the problems with capt. chairs though is you cannot stretch out. Just something to consider for whomever is not sitting up front. I think this microvan is perfect for a family of 4 with a pet (or 5 without a pet). Now, I bought the 5 in late 2011 (it had been released a couple months early). It now has 202,000 miles on it. The best part is I admittedly don’t do my maintenance as much as I should. So I miss oil changes and haven’t replaced spark plugs... yet, it still is over 200k and not missing a beat. Moral of the story is this is a brilliantly constructed vehicle that is highly reliable. If you are looking at the 2012 I suggest getting it, especially if it is for a teen with a new license or a car to do local errands or a small business that needs something cheap but reliable. I have truly loved the 5 and am upset with Mazda for discontinuing it, but I don’t think Americans really know what to do with non-traditional vehicles like the Asian and European markets. Great car gone too soon!
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Bought used in 2015, still own in 2018
Fred Johnson, 04/07/2018
2013 Mazda 5 Sport 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 5A)
29 of 30 people found this review helpful
My Mazda 5 Sport with auto transmission is a very nice small mini-van. I bought this car used with 31,000 miles on it and now have 86,000 miles on it. I hope to take it to more than 200,000 miles. The torque out of the 2.5 liter 4-cylinder is the best part about this car. This car loves to be driven easy and it will torque its way through super smooth shifts through all 5 gears. The ride is soft and easy, too. Some people think the Mazda 5 should handle like a sporty car because it's a Mazda (remember "zoom-zoom"?), but it really rides like a luxury car. It can be driven hard, but it weighs too much for the horsepower it has and the vehicle doesn't respond well to flick turns or slalom maneuvers. It will set up for a fast turn as long as you anticipate it and guide the car in. The only major fault to the Mazda 5 is the rear independent suspension is not adjustable for camber and this car will wear out rear tires in about 24,000 miles. The fix is to install adjustable upper control arms and then get the wheels aligned with about 250 pounds in the cargo area by the mechanic that installed the control arms for you. BTW, get a transmission flush every 30,000 miles. These "sealed for life" transmissions will become disposable if they aren't maintained, no matter that Mazda left service intervals for transmissions out of their owners manuals. Finally, in this global market we live in just because a car wears a Japanese brand doesn't mean it was made in Japan. My wife's Honda Civic (made in USA) and my old Toyota Matrix (made in Canada) are just two examples. However the Mazda 5 happens to be a Japanese car that is actually made in Japan. Hiroshima, Japan in fact.
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Mazda5 Grand Touring, so far I love it!
baltimorejim, 01/30/2012
2012 Mazda 5 Grand Touring 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 5A)
17 of 17 people found this review helpful
I've had my Mazda5 for about a month now and I am really impressed with this vehicle. Since 1987 I only owned two cars, both were Honda Accords. This time around I wanted something different and I test drove a 2012 Honda CR-V (expensive), a Hyundai Tuscon (cheap interior) and a Toyota Rav4 (just didn't like it). Finally I test drove the Mazda5. It is a feature laden vechicle that is fun to drive and is "a lot of vehicle for the money". Working with Hertitage Mazda in Baltimore was the best vehicle purchasing experience I've had in 45 years of buying cars. The only downside I've found so far is that gas mileage is only average.
Choose your niche
dougiesc, 01/21/2015
updated 01/27/2020
2014 Mazda 5 Sport 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 6M)
49 of 52 people found this review helpful
Definitely a niche car, best suited for a family of 4 plus groceries or luggage. It works for us, but if you really need the passenger or luggage space, go with a full-sized minivan. This isn't it. It is basically a 4-seat wagon with a couple of child-sized extra seats in the back--which you can't use if you carry much luggage. However, the usual three-passenger sedan bench seat is replaced with two full captain's chairs and a table/platform for drinks, books, whatever. The car is solid and quiet. Good adult leg- and head-room (except for those pesky far-back seats). It is cheaper than any full-sized minivan, gets somewhat better fuel economy, and is more maneuverable. [UPDATE 1: To update my review -- the Mazda5 remains a niche car, possibly so tight a niche that Mazda discontinued it. I like how it drives, how the seat fits me, how maneuverable it is. I don't have to step up (i.e., SUVs) or step down (i.e., most sedans) into it. It's a great car for long trips. But it does not replace a full-size minivan, either for the amount of things it can carry or store, or for the number of seats (the rear seats remain useful mainly for the munchkins, and ours are usually folded down, making the car effectively a large hatchback). I have, in fact, gotten a roof rack for carrying home all those 4x8' sheets of plywood. My daughter's Odyssey surprisingly beats it for actual highway fuel economy (not city economy). Will I keep it? Yes. Would I get one again? Well, there I'm not so sure.] [UPDATE 2: So I traded it in at five years. For me that's a quick turnaround--I've kept cars as long as 19 years. The main reason was that it was too much a "niche" car. The rear seats weren't very useful, except in rare instances, and the lack of a center seat in the second row meant that a fifth passenger had to sit in the back, taking up valuable storage space. There were other things. I wanted a back-up camera and a better sound system. And since we're getting on in years I thought an automatic transmission would be a good change. So I've gotten a Honda HR-V, which I'll review anon.]
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Great car at excellent price
jcampo, 04/10/2012
2012 Mazda 5 Sport 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 6M)
14 of 14 people found this review helpful
Bought the 2012 Mazda 5 manual in April 2011. Over 13k miles and has been running great. Love the look, great acceleration. Love the siding slide doors for our two kids 16/12 plus dog. Third row seats have been used, but can't use them for a long trip. Trunk is small with third seats in use, but push them down and you have plenty of space for longer trips with family of four. Mileage averages about 27mpg city/hwy. On highway, best was 33mpg. Visibility to right blind spot a bit blocked, but other than that, this was definitely the best car for us. Excellent space, fun to drive, decent mileage, and we got a great price.
Car with Mini Van Features
jmr919, 02/19/2012
2012 Mazda 5 Touring 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 5A)
14 of 14 people found this review helpful
We just bought the Mazda5 Touring 2012 and researched this car quite a bit. We did not really want a true minivan however this car was more like a larger economy car with minivan features. So far so good.
The practical car for people who like to drive!
06scooby, 04/08/2013
2012 Mazda 5 Sport 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 6M)
13 of 13 people found this review helpful
We love our Mazda 5 with the 6-speed. After giving up our manual Subaru Wagon for a full size mini-van after having 2 kids, we came back down to the 5. We are manual transmission people & this was our only option, but we love it. Sporty and fun, and plenty of room for two kids. Could use a little more oomph, but we prefer driving a slow car fast. Great gas mileage & its pretty comfortable despite the factory tires. We would have like a more loaded version, but giving up the goodies was worth 3 rows & a stick shift. I even contacted Mazda & asked with a large deposit if they'd build me a Grand Touring with a 6 speed & they said no! :-(
Excellent family vehicle on the cheap!
Eric Englebretson, 07/23/2016
2014 Mazda 5 Touring 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 5A)
12 of 12 people found this review helpful
We've owned our used 2014 Mazda 5 for about a month now. The experience has been great (even better coming from a 2006 Mazda 5 which we effectively beat to death ending up with around 155K miles in Texas heat and winters). The 2014 is largely the same as the 2006 but with a lot of "under-the-hood" improvements. The biggest detractor and disappointment is the gas mileage. Right now we're only seeing about 17mpg per tank. I think my old 2000 Chevy Silverado with a V8 could match that (but couldn't match people hauling in such a family-friendly package). We looked at several crossovers, but nothing beats the utility of sliding doors when you have children under 10. Since Mazda doesn't make the 5 anymore due to slow sales, it depreciates quickly - allowing us to pick it up for cheap - but if you're going to keep the vehicle until it dies, depreciation really isn't a factor in the purchase decision. The 5 isn't a master at any one task, but is a great family hauler for two adults and two kids with lots of room for whatever the kids bring into the car.
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Built to last!!!!!
High Mileage Driver, 11/28/2016
2013 Mazda 5 Sport 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 5A)
27 of 29 people found this review helpful
Simply built to last. I bought my 2013 Mazda5 Sport used in November 2013 with 6K miles on it. I drive 350 miles per day doing a delivery route. I now have 306K miles and had absolutely no problems. I replace the oil every 5K, transmission fluid 60K, brake fluid 60K, coolant 90K, PS fluid 90K, plugs 90K, and fuel induction cleaning 90K. Original engine and transmission run great. I still average 29.2 mpg making 15 stops along my 350 mile route. The car is rated at 28 mpg highway. I will buy another one if the ever gives up.
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No Really, its a Wagon
landric, 04/03/2012
2012 Mazda 5 Sport 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 6M)
11 of 11 people found this review helpful
I just purchased my 5 this past weekend, so my impressions are limited to recent experience. I do plan to update my experiences as time goes on. I traded a 2009 Kia Sedona in on the 5 Sport with a manual transmission. The Sedona, while a fantastic vehicle for trips was more than my family needs for day to day use. I wanted something smaller, more economical, and more fun that could still haul my family of five as needed. The 5 is perfect for that, I love how it drives and handles and after several years stuck driving an automatic mini-van I love the six speed manual. I owned a 2002 Mazda Protege ES 5-speed for four years and 115k and had a great experience, the 5 is just as much fun.
Great for the money!
tisakson, 04/24/2014
2013 Mazda 5 Touring 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 5A)
18 of 19 people found this review helpful
We bought this brand new after loving our test drive. After a year, the handling is excellent. It is fun to drive...tight steering and great visibility. Road noise is fair but a bit loud. Cons include the front seat arm rests, they are very small and rather uncomfortable. Anyone over 5' 10" will be kind of cramped. Also the stereo knob is very slippery to grip...silly I know but annoying. The temperature and fan knob settings are all on a very small display on the dash...hard to read. So my minor gripes may be picky but my humble opinion. Still very happy with the overall ride and versatility of this small minivan!!
2014 Mazda5 definitely zooms!
RW, 07/28/2016
2014 Mazda 5 Grand Touring 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 5A)
18 of 19 people found this review helpful
We bought our Grand Touring model new. We currently have 32,000 miles. Other than the factory tires not lasting very long and then discovering a factory issue involving the trailing arms not being in spec (dealer fixed), this Mazda5 is awesome! It's solidly reliable and works great for my 2 kids (one is over 6 feet tall and fits w/no problems). Actually, he likes to sit in the 3rd row, so yes, a six footer can fit fine, you just move the middle row captain's chairs up a bit to make it all work. We've taken many a road trip for week long stays and had no problems fitting all of our gear, 4 people, my wife's sewing machine, fishing stuff, etc., inside. Yes, it was jam packed, but worked fine and didn't have any problems climbing the mountains of New Mexico. The Mazda5 is very easy to live with, fits in all parking spaces and really does live bigger than your typical - er, heavy and ugly and gas-thirsty minivans. The Bluetooth works flawlessly and the automatic climate control is excellent w/plenty of fan options. The rear seats are usually left folded down unless a friend or two join us and we pack 'em all in. Visibility is excellent. Road noise is a bit more than in a BMW or something, but no worse than most cars. The leather has held up well and looks new - I do clean and detail the van on occasion. Definitely get the windows tinted...with so many to look out, it would be very hot inside w/out. The sunroof doesn't leak and works great. The factory radio/cd player is ok, nothing to write home about. Handling and performance are definitely high points - manual shifting and all, but the car does feel slower w/a heavy load...as expected. Gas mileage is averaging a very good 24.1 MPG in mostly commuting/city driving. We've hit 28 MPGs on non-loaded up road trips. No issues at all externally - paint, trim, etc. are all very high quality and still look brand new. Some minor complaints - tire noise, squeaky driver side sliding door, cheap wipers. The Mazda5 is definitely a great and solid vehicle that can be had for well-under $30K fully loaded. Rock-solid reliability, no engine/trans issues, excellent brakes, fun handling, easy parking, great windows, and flexible/practical seating/hauling options make this a great buy...especially if you snag one now, as they are no longer going to import these to the States. You could probably get a screaming deal on left-over units out there. The Mazda5 replaced our Mazda Tribute as we needed a bigger hauling capability and occasional seating for 6, but didn't want the big $$$ pricetag or lousy handling/MPGs of "regular" minivans or larger SUVs.
Love My Mazda5!!!
kbstagg, 03/29/2012
2012 Mazda 5 Touring 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 5A)
9 of 9 people found this review helpful
So far I am loving the Mazda5. After extensive research and needing to be able to seat 6. This vehicle had the most bang for the buck, without the horrible SUV gas mileage. Engine could use a few more HP, but really not bad. Acceleration is good and the transmission shift is so smooth. I traded a 2011 Honda Civic for the 2012 Mazda5 and couldn't be happier. I drive about 70% Hwy and am avg 25 mpg with a little over 1000 miles( I was only avg 27 mpg with my Civic). Even has all the bells and whistles, with a great sticker price. It really is fun to drive and handles just like a car. I can't say enough good things about this vehicle.
Micro Van
Tyler, 09/26/2016
2012 Mazda 5 Grand Touring 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 5A)
9 of 9 people found this review helpful
Great little van, drives like a small sedan. Not a lot of cargo area with seats up, but for a small family it would be great.
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Wished I bought an Odyssey but love my Mazda 5!
joyfulgirl_3, 07/06/2014
updated 01/27/2023
2012 Mazda 5 Sport 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 5A)
27 of 31 people found this review helpful
Update 1/2023 Replaced spark plugs in fall (late) and drives like new with now 117K miles. Work from home last 3 years with COVID. Hope she lasts another 2 years with crazy car prices. Good for my family size of 2 kids. Love to haul furniture. Don't like using 3rd row seats - too close to hatch. Good for my family and gas but if more kids would want an Odyssey. Update 7/25/2022 About 113K miles now. Not driving as much with COVID. No additional repairs since last update. They are now selling 10+ year old Mazdas with 60K miles for about same amount I paid 1 yr old w/8.5K miles with these crazy covid car prices. Update 7/21/2021 Transmission control module went out at about 106K miles. Mechanic said poor design for that piece as it wasn't under a heat shield. That repair and transmission flush, and some other maintenance quickly added up. Overall, cost of repairs (not maintenance) for 10 years has been low- under $2600. Update 1/21/2021 Almost 105K miles and 2nd true repair of @$350 for 1 collapsed engine mount. Glad I didn't buy a new car that would have a car payment with little driving due to COVID. Continued with basic maintenance (oil change and transmission flush) and car runs great. Update 7/20/20 Car has 100.5K and still going strong. Still only the $120 repair bill. Seems to eat windshield wipers and have yet to have tires last on it (with inflation and rotation). But, mechanically it has been very good to me. While I want the space of an Odyssey, I love the gas mileage and ability to park this one. Update 6/19/19 Car has almost 90K miles. Still only repair done is stabilizer bar for $120. Regular maintenance done. Has a $600 repair coming for part in front area where grease is leaking. I think it will be time to trade soon as I bet it will need a lot of work@100K. Still don't feel like this car will get 150K+ miles w/out a lot of money dumped into it. It has served it's purpose. Update 01/06/2017 I still have the car. It's got 62K on it. The only repair done was a stabilizer bar for $120 which made it drive like new. Front end was really shaky before. I've done the oil changes, got new tires, and changed front brakes. Agree with my original review. I think I got a good deal on mine used. I would not pay 18-20K+ for this car. Driving forward is great. I feel there are a lot of weird blind spots backing up...even w/all the windows. If you fold the back seats down for what would be normal trunk space in a car, you have only 2 seats in the back (no middle seat). It is nice you can fold all the seats down and haul items. Fit a small Ikea couch in there, bicycles etc. I'll drive it til it dies, b/c that's what I do with cars. But, I wouldn't buy it again. It's served it's purpose but could be better. I can't seem to find where to access the best/worst feature input. Best: It's been reliable. Sliding doors are great for kids so they don't ding other cars. Easy to park. Worst: Seat fabric is cheap. Others have posted similar comments that spills can't be cleaned off. Panel display is nice looking but the inside of the car seems very cheap/basic. Not looking for luxury but cars I had 15-20 years ago (basic cars) were nicer looking/more solid than this. If anyone pays close to sticker price, I think you could get a much better interior in a base car. Original tires didn't last long. Road noise was bad w/original. Much better with Michelins. Horrible in slick/snow conditions. H-O-R-R-I-B-L-E. As in, with new tires, accelerating slowly from stop, very fishy in rain...snow is worse. Original Post: I bought a 2012 used with 8.5K. It was flawless except for a stain on the front passenger seat which I have been unable to remove. Another stain is on a back seat that I can't remove. Needs better seat fabric- seems cheap. I have 2 kids and am finding that as my baby turned into toddler, and with a 9 year old, we are outgrowing the car with backpacks, soccer stuff etc. If we had another child, there'd be little room for a stroller. No way this car is functional for 4 kids full-time. Since I bought it, the gas mileage has gone down considerably though it's well maintained by Mazda. Great to drive forward...seems to have lots of blind spots in spite of all the windows.
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Perfect for us!
constantinea, 11/12/2013
2013 Mazda 5 Grand Touring 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 5A)
27 of 31 people found this review helpful
When my wife and I decided to replace our 2003 Jeep Liberty, we set some stringent criteria. We wanted a car that could seat our baby, our 4-yo, and an adult or two on occasion, when relatives visit. However, it also needed to be small enough to maneuver easily in and out of parking spaces in suburban malls or NYC, get at least 20-miles per gallon mixed, and be fun to drive even on windy roads. Its outside had to look appealing, and its inside had to handle abuse from the kids well. Finally, it had to cost less than $30,000 with all extras. Frankly, we did not think such a car existed...until we found the Mazda 5. Our Mazda has turned out to be everything we hoped it would be.
It's not a minivan it's a SUPER WAGON
wnull, 05/28/2014
updated 06/02/2020
2014 Mazda 5 Sport 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 6M)
43 of 51 people found this review helpful
when our 2007 mazda3 was totaled we knew we wanted another mazda. we had that car since new with 130k on it and no issues. We also wanted something for our growing family but yet something kind of fun to drive. My wife refuses to drive anything but a manual transmission. So the mazda5 has fit the bill for everything. we don't usually have more than 4 people in the car at a time but it's nice to know we can fit 6 if needed. If you plan on taking this for long vacations using all six seats..BUY the roof rack! MPG so far has averaged 28/ best 32..mostly hwy and long stretches of 40mph roads during my commute. For a young couple that like smaller maneuverable cars this is the way to go! Update: just turned 36k miles and still love our super wagon especially after our second child. Zero issues other than the stock tires where crap. By 20k miles they where super loud on the highway. Other than that only maintenance has been oil changes and other normal maintenance. *42k update - zero issues other than the plastic in the back is knicked up and scratches easy. Other than that it's just been usually oil changes, on our second set of tires. Went with contental DWS tires and it helped reduce the cabin noise a lot! This is considered the best car purchase we've made. *50k update - still no issues other then a recall on the hatch lifts. taken care of free of charge. I will say as the kids are getting older, I really wish it was a quieter ride on the highways. we bought portable dvd players to go over the head rest and we have to crank them to max volume for the kids to hear them. Still can't complain considering the price and it's the only super wagon with a manual transmission and sliding passenger doors! *56k update - oh Mazda and your cheap paint, the front of the car from trips is getting pretty chipped up and my lack of keeping the bug guts clean off the front of it during the first few years has really shown it's mark. So technically if I had kept up with cleaning the front of the car off during and after trips i'm sure the car would be much better off. No plans to get rid of the super wagon and it's still doing great with long trips, still getting around 29-31 mpg on long trips. still loving the manual transmission and zero problems with the car. **85K final update - The mazda5 was traded in. Almost a year ago for a 2019 Buick tourx. We loved the 5 but started to get surface rust...issues from me not taking care of the paint. it never got a single coat of wax. We had ZERO mechanical issues with it, loved the space in the back but it just got to be uncomfortable for long family trips. Being 6' tall and with my kids getting bigger we wanted something with more room. we do miss the extra room we had in the back, and the use of third row seats for the rare occasion we needed them. Overall would we buy it again if we knew what we knew now. In a heartbeat!! To this day it's the only purchase we've made with zero buyers remorse.
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Great car for the money
joelb57, 01/01/2012
2012 Mazda 5 Grand Touring 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 5A)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
We enjoy the 2012 Grand Touring Mazda5. It is quick & nimble, seats 6 comfortably, and although not fast, still provides ample pickup. 70% of our driving is hwy, 30% city - - we avg about 25mpg. Seats provide good support & decent leg room. Heating and A/C are good. Fit/finish is excellent and opening/closing sliding doors is a breeze. Interior is well laid out although headliner and visors feel somewhat cheap. Seating is fine for 4 adults + 2 children although space beyond 3rd seat is limited. Nice ride although some air noise is detectable at hwy speeds. Excellent vehicle for the money - would recommend. Biggest plus is its fun to drive! We got a great deal through truecars.com
After researching many vehicles, we love the Mazda 5!!
scj1, 08/28/2011
2012 Mazda 5 Grand Touring 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 5A)
56 of 68 people found this review helpful
We did a lot of research to determine what would replace our Limited AWD minivan. After looking at many vehicles we narrowed choices to the Toyota Highlander and the Mazda5, and determined the Highlander was too truck-clunky uncomfortable compared to the Mazda5. The style of the Mazda5 is more contemporary compared to the older looking Highlander. Also, the mpg was so much better with the Mazda5. We are saving $100 per month in gas compared to the minivan. PROS: smooth ride, styling, 6 seats so kids can bring friends, price, gas mileage, heated leather, dark gray color, hip ride, bluetooth phone and tunes, xenon headlights, storage compartments, traction/stability control, safety.
I love this car but...
Sara Feinberg, 12/21/2015
2012 Mazda 5 Sport 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 5A)
16 of 19 people found this review helpful
I saw that all of the reviews were from 2012, and thought I just had to write one, especially since this is now going to be my second clutch replacement in 71,000 miles. Yes, you heard me right, my SECOND clutch. I have never written a review before, but I am so sad about the clutch issue that I wanted to make sure others didn't make the same mistake as me and fall in love with this car only to find out that Mazda has a history with faulty clutches for both their Mazda 3 and Mazda 5 cars, only you hear less about the Mazda 5 cars since there are less of them out there, and more people buy Mazda 3 cars with manual transmission. That being said, both my husband and I have been driving this car for 5 years and loved it until our clutch was totally destroyed at 35,000 miles. We have purchased a Mazda Protege 2003 before this one and replaced the clutch at 120,000 miles, and have driven manual transmission cars for over 20 years. All cars we purchased previously have had clutches replaced at 120,000 miles or so. We got the dealer (after a BIG fight) to replace everything for free (including the master and slave cylinder), and went on our way, hoping it was just a fluke. Well, it wasn't, and now I have to have another big fight to figure out how to solve the issue. We love this car otherwise, especially for the 6 seats and the good MPG. We also love how small it is but how much it can fit into it. We have taken this car to New York and Arizona, all with no problems. We live in the city, and I find it easy to drive and not too big, which is another thing I love. I am hoping I can trade it in for an automatic transmission? Please look into this issue closely before buying this car, and talk it over with the dealer, or if you can, get a second opinion. The only other thing I don't love is the heating and cooling system. The car just can't seem to get cool on a spring or fall day, and sometimes I have to have the air on when it is totally unnecessary, but when driving on the highway, it's too hot to open windows. It gets hot enough, however.
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NO Frills , practical little zoom, zoom
ms norma, 03/26/2021
2012 Mazda 5 Sport 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 5A)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
I love little blue! She kept 5 little ones safe 1-5 year olds in car seats!- (did I mention how easy it is placing car seats in and getting kids out?)! And transported middle school age kids to the occasional Wrestling meet(tight fit). Also love that I can lay the back seats down and take my beach cruiser for a ride. Pretty good on mileage. Even though 4 cylinders, I feel it really picks up speed fast, zoom, zoom!
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Wonderful wagon
Bill Couch, 09/04/2016
2012 Mazda 5 Sport 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 5A)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
Great handling and fuel mileage. Tires need to be rotated every other oil change.
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Mini Minivan Impulse
presappl, 09/18/2013
updated 09/02/2016
2012 Mazda 5 Sport 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 5A)
14 of 18 people found this review helpful
We were planning to buy the CX-7 when we saw the Mazda 5. While my husband test drove the car, one of my daughter's and I sat in the very back seats and raised our hands like we were on a roller coaster ride -- we had too much fun on the test drive! It is a cute (love the smiling face), fun car, and I love to tell people about our mini minivan's features. The low car height makes it easier for my daughter with disabilities to get in and out. The sliding doors have been very good and helpful in many situations. However, I do wish we had purchased the CX-7 for the height, size, and space. One thing I really appreciate about this car is its performance on inclines. The car is good to go up hills and plateaus, and does not seem to be taxed much at all. Only once in a while, when really taxed, does one have to really accelerate to get the car to maintain a constant speed on a hill. And while you can raise the driver's seat to make it higher, it is just lacking the SUV feel/height which I miss very much. And even though the transmission seems to do fine going up hills, often on regular roads, the car feels like it needs help shifting into the correct gear. Sometimes I will use the manual shift for a little while and then switch back - sometimes it is better, sometimes it is not. At approximately 50,000, the car needs a second set of brakes, a second set of tires, and a new serpentine belt. The man at the shop said that Mazdas are notorious for going through brakes and tires. The car seems to be lower and longer than expected which makes it harder for me to park and has resulted in more scrapes to the front bumper. In addition, it is hard to see around parts of the car to actually see out the windows. The placement of some of the corners seems strange. One has to look several different ways to make sure an area is truly clear. And cosmetically, I have been unable to clean spills on the upholstery. All of the seats have splotches where something has been spilled and "cleaned". RIGHT after we bought the car, I had to have the driver's seat adjusted as the mechanism by which it scoots front and back (close and far from the steering wheel) was not catching and holding properly. This has now happened to one of the back seats, too. And while trying to work with that chair, the top part of the seat folded down, but the seatbelt attachment/lock beside the seat did not (very common) and the seatbelt attachment broke into many pieces.
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Almost Perfect
oakwind, 05/30/2013
2012 Mazda 5 Sport 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 5A)
9 of 11 people found this review helpful
I bought my 2012 Mazda 5 in February of 2013 with 10 miles on the odometer. Upgrading from a '96 Corolla with 166K and 27/34 mpg. I got all the room extra I wanted and more but was disappointed in the mpg (24mpg). I am more of an SUV kind of person rather than a "mini-van". It's size and body style is more inline with the Rav4 & CRV that I looked at with a better price and mpg than they offered. I wished the milage was better and there was a bigger covered center console. I could have gotten this with new Mazda CX-5, but the bench seat didn't fold FLAT and the front 'racing" seats were hard & uncomfortable. Every time I drive ZoomZoom, I find something else about it I like
Excellent minivan
jastin, 05/20/2012
2012 Mazda 5 Sport 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 5A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
Have been driving the mazda 5 for 4 months and absolutely love it. Drive is awesome, little road noise (probably from OEM tire), handle wonderfully. Plenty of space for 4 adults and 2 children as we experienced (the two children rode in the bag seats, plenty of space for them there). A must buy if you want a nice minivan for a fair price, even my wife can stop raving about it.
Great cheap hauler
chris_columbia, 12/18/2020
updated 06/22/2021
2014 Mazda 5 Sport 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 6M)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I bought this new in late 2014. Had it now 6 years and 70k miles. Price was great and it's really a lot of car for the money. Plus, I was able to get a manual. I didn't like the way the shifter felt when new. Too much effort to move and it's plastic, so I added a new aftermarket leather shift knob which was taller, and that made it go from poor to perfect. Also got a factory leather steering wheel from the grand touring and installed myself(Sport model is the only option for the manual trans). After a few years, I also got some after market touch screen head unit from China for about $300. Looks completely factory. With it, was able to have a backup camera and dvd player in center consul. Rear visibility wasn't great before the camera, but this is an issue on all modern cars. Two negatives: 1. Wish I could get my hands on the center row middle seat that is available in Europe and Japan. 2. Tire noise and wear are higher than any other car I know of. The wear isn't a big deal, as 16" tires are only about $100 each for good ones, but the noise gets old. I have had no repair issues, ever. So far, just tires and oil changes. I'm not having paint or rust issues that I see in other reviews, but I live in MD, so only see snow a few times per year. Update: Jun21, 2021 77K miles: No new issues. I did buy adjustable rear control arms to adjust factory chamber from -2.0 degrees to -0.1 degrees and install new rear tires. I can't notice a handling difference but everybody reports that this resolves the rear tire wear issue. So far so good. The after-market cast steel arms were only $28 each.
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Perfect for us
Tamy Lemke, 03/31/2017
2012 Mazda 5 Grand Touring 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 5A)
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
This mini-minivan is the perfect car for me! I had a full size minivan and this is so much easier to handle and still seats 6 people, so I can haul my kids and their friends. The gas mileage is wonderful compared to the full size minivan. I have only had the car for 3 weeks, but so far I am really enjoying it.
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Great Value
ivanch, 09/10/2013
2012 Mazda 5 Touring 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 5A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
The Mazda 5 offers great value for the money. I purchased a brand new 2012 model in March 2013 with a nice discount where the price was comparable to a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. At that price, the extra room of the Mazda 5 made it an unbeatable deal. The Mazda 5 touring is a great vehicle because it fits 6 passengers, it is fun to drive, it is the perfect size for a person who either wants a smaller minivan or a larger car. This vehicle can take kids around but also serves as a nice commuter car with ample room and height when compared to other cars.
It's ok
Kim, 04/02/2016
2012 Mazda 5 Sport 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 6M)
10 of 14 people found this review helpful
Good gas mileage and cargo space. Third row seat is handy. LOTS of road noise, can't even talk. But, better than listening to the "sound system" (2 cans and a string). Seats are made of some weird material that retain stains.
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Watch out for bad paint on Mazda5 and no warranty coverage!
stowevter, 10/14/2014
2014 Mazda 5 Sport 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 6M)
13 of 19 people found this review helpful
We have a Mazda5 Sport with only 22,000 miles. The paint around both front wheel wells has flaked off to bare metal. And, the paint along the rocker panels on both sides and up the doors 12-18 inches has also flaked off, ruining the finish. Mazda refuses to cover the repair of this and says that something on the roads "back east" used for snow removal caused the paint to fail. Unbelievable but they won't cover a fix. I have filed an arbitration claim with the Better Business Bureau. Beware of Mazda cars "back east" -- they have a paint adhesion problem! see site: my mazda sucks dot com
Great Car For The Money
fastcars5, 12/14/2012
2012 Mazda 5 Grand Touring 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 5A)
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
We bought the Mazda5 mini van as a replacement for a Ford Freestar mini van that was totaled. I miss the Freestar because it was larger but the interior in the mazda is roomy enough for two people on a trip. It was purchased for my wife but I drive it once or twice a week commuting to work, 52 miles round trip. We just drove it to Atlanta and back, 1600 miles without any issues. Gas mileage is decent but not what you would expect from a car this size. We had a DVD player installed for the grand kids and they love it. If you fold down the four rear seats, you can carry a lot of equipment but with the third row seats up, trunk space is very limited.
A mini-van that is still mini
harpoondodger, 03/19/2013
2013 Mazda 5 Sport 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 5A)
56 of 96 people found this review helpful
We needed to replace an old '97 Mercury Villager, but did not want to buy a not-so mini Sienna, Odyssey, or Quest. We researched the min-vans, cross-overs, and SUVs, and stumbled on the M5. All the features presented looked good and its was smaller than the Villager, which was fine because it gave better gas mileage. We're fine with the styling (those swoopy body curves), and I'm indifferent to the front "smiley" face. With just under 2 months, our overall impression is that it handles well, but the ride is harsh. The interior has lots of hard plastic. Interior space is snug, but is usable and flexible. The ride in the 3rd bench is harsh. Gas economy on highway close to 28 mpg.
Wish I put more thought into it.
jterrozas, 05/07/2014
2013 Mazda 5 Grand Touring 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 5A)
10 of 16 people found this review helpful
All though the price was reasonable it really doesn't replace a van. By the time you put up the third row there is nothing left for storage. We bought this to replace our T&C because we wanted better gas mileage but could hold four kids. It can hold four kids, but thats it. No stroller, no shopping bags. It is made for either the occasional back row seating OR as a four seater with a trunk space.
Perfect for Honolulu
Clarence, 08/16/2022
2013 Mazda 5 Touring 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 5A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Especially for a family of 4; we liked the sliding doors when our children were young and had child seats - easy access. Also, the state department of transportation were narrowing the lanes on the H1 freeway; the vehicle was narrow and fit the lanes perfectly. Also, parking spaces became narrow and it fit nicely into the parking space. Gas mileage was okay for a four cylinder.
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Coolest minivan ever conceived
Blue tsunami, 11/12/2022
2012 Mazda 5 Sport 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 6M)
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
This is the coolest vehicle I've ever driven around. Mad acceleration, mad handling, mad looks, Exquisite ride, as good as Lexus! Handles like a sports car, has two sliding rear second doors which is great for loading fishing tackle or groceries where kids for that matter. I'm single so I don't have to worry about that usually. But the 6-speed manual is fun to drive and it's got a lot of power. You're at 50 mph in a Flash. Nothing I just like about this vehicle. Five Star All The Way. And it's good on gas!
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Comfortable Car, Sucks in Snow
Paul, 01/19/2019
2012 Mazda 5 Sport 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 5A)
10 of 19 people found this review helpful
We chose this model after renting one for a cross country road trip during which time I threw out my back & stil drove for hours in relative comfort. This car was fine for getting around town and great for long road trips in good weather when we lived at a lower, warmer elevation, but then we moved to the mountains where we got snow & learned this car is the absolute worst in snow despite it being front wheel drive. I'm from Minnesota originally & have owned many cars & this was by far the worst winter car I have ever driven. In fact, my wife finally ended up sliding off the road & totaling it with new all-season tires on it (we had just taken off the snow tires that only helped minimally anyway) when there was just an inch of snow on the ground. Also, it is a gutless vehicle. It was dependable, though. It was just also dependably terrible in snow. I wouldn't buy another one.
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On the fence
maeby101, 07/22/2012
2012 Mazda 5 Touring 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 5A)
8 of 16 people found this review helpful
I've had this car for almost a year and 10.5k miles. There are many things I like about it, but I would trade it in if I could. I was coming from an '05 Outback, which had it's share of problems over 100k miles, but I loved that car from the start. I can't say the same about the 5. I chose this car because of the ability to put an adult in the backseat with our two little kids. But we only need to do this on long trips, which is maybe twice a year. I miss having AWD (though the 5 was fine with winter tires in last year's very mild winter). Something about it just feels cheap. After 10k miles, one of the sliding doors has begun to rattle at slow speeds. That's just wrong.
Used Mazda 5
Ken, 07/01/2018
2012 Mazda 5 Sport 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 6M)
3 of 5 people found this review helpful
Smaller than typical van, great handling. Was looking for a low mileage 6 speed manual & found it - worth the search.
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Great so far, but a few interior irritations...
birdsnest25, 07/30/2012
2012 Mazda 5 Touring 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 5A)
10 of 22 people found this review helpful
So, I'm one week into ownership of a 2012 Mazda5 Touring. For the most part I am happy, with a few execution complaints. Build quality seems good, handing and ride quality very good, milage has been great (30+ mpg on highway). Complaints: sunroof is abysmal, only opening to 60% of the cutout -- come on, engineer it to open 100%. Also, there is no front covered storage other than the glove compartment. The fold down center front armrests get in the way of the seat belt buckles and should be replaced with a covered bin. Also, the sound system should be better. For the same price as the lousy sunroof and CD changer in the Mazda5, you get a real sunroof and Bose system in the CX5
Happy with our Mazda 5 wagon
Owner, 01/04/2017
2014 Mazda 5 Touring 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 5A)
2 of 4 people found this review helpful
If someone called and asked me, I would recommend this wagon.
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Perfect urban car…also good for trips.
B. Norris, 02/07/2022
2012 Mazda 5 Sport 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 5A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Compact exterior, comfortable interior makes for easy driving and parking in urban areas…the rear sliding doors make for extra easy loading on groceries or whatever. Good power, abnormally tight turning radius helps make driving in traffic extra easy.
pros & cons
etanretla, 07/02/2013
2013 Mazda 5 Grand Touring 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 5A)
9 of 29 people found this review helpful
a fully loaded alternative to a minivan, for half the price, but equally practical!