Auto Trader Ten Point Test: Mazda 5

Auto Trader Ten Point Test Rating – 78%

Want a car but need an MPV? Mazda is just one of a clutch of manufacturers aiming to prove they can combine the two in a wallet-pleasing package.

The Mazda 5 features sliding doors and a veritable origami of seat combinations to convince you it can be your flexible friend – but will you want to take it home with you?

Read the full review below or follow the links you want for specific information.

Looks | Looks Inside | Practicality | Ride and Handling | Performance
Running Costs | Reliability | Safety | Equipment | X-Factor | Rivals

1. Looks

By no means the prettiest of Mazda’s attractive range, but then it is the MPV and as such we reckon it scrubs up pretty well. The TS2 model we drove featured 16ins alloy wheels, body-coloured mirrors and handles plus roof rails. The recognisably Mazda-fronted seven-seater is neat, compact and boasts sleek lines which, while they’re unlikely to set the heart racing, should make new owners fairly happy with the metal on their driveway.

7/10

2. Looks inside

No complaints here. The silver and black dash and dials are clearly laid out and attractively presented with the gear stick mounted just in front of the CD/radio and air-con. Go for the TS2, which we borrowed, and you get the black interior trim package, leather steering wheel, with audio controls. The interior is understated, stylish and very easy to live with.

7/10

3. Practicality

This is where an MPV needs to impress and the Mazda 5 rises to the challenge. Sliding rear doors will make trips with the kids simpler while the seven-seater vehicle can be cycled through a host of seating combinations which include removing the central seat from the middle row to create a roomier six-seater. The load space ranges from a pokey 112-litres to a whopping 857-litres – depending on the configuration. The Mazda 5 boasts 40 storage compartments, including ten cupholders. The TS2 model we drove also features picnic trays for the second row and an overhead console with sunglasses holder.

9/10

4. Ride and Handling

Mazda has emphasised its models’ sporty features with its Zoom-Zoom campaign - and that includes the Mazda 5. As with Ford’s S-Max, the Mazda 5 is aimed at motorists who need more space but still want to have a little fun behind the wheel. We drove the Mazda 5 TS2 and found it very car-like and responsive, living up to its billing as being fun-to-drive. However, this does not compromise the ride to a degree which will illicit complaints from the very passengers you bought this car for in the first place.

8/10

5. Performance

Buyers can choose between 1.8-litre and 2.0-litre petrol models or go for a 2.0-litre diesel model. The 1.8-litre petrol-model accelerates from 0-62mph in 11.4 seconds before hitting a maximum speed of 113mph while the 2.0-litre model shaves just over half a second off the acceleration and keeps going until it hits 122mph. The diesel model hits 62mph from a standing start in 12.9 seconds and has a top speed of 111mph. The sportily-tuned diesel model clips a whopping 2.5 seconds off the 0-62mph time and an extra 11mph. We drove the 2.0-litre TS2 and found it had plenty of oomph for relaxed motorway cruising while remaining reasonably nippy (for an MPV) in town.

8/10

6. Running Costs

Go for a petrol model and you’re looking at average fuel consumption of 35.8mpg for the 1.8-litre model and 34.5mpg for the 2.0-litre version. Choose diesel and this becomes a more economical 44.9mpg. Choose the TS2 we drove and you’ll be looking at an annual tax bill of £160. The Mazda 5 replaces the Mazda MPV which is falling in value as a result. The new Mazda 5 is expected to lose more than half its value in the first three years.  

7/10

7. Reliability

The Japanese manufacturer have a very good reputation for reliability and the robust and well-made Mazda 5 looks likely to follow in that tradition. Being a new model – it replaces the Mazda MPV - means there is no specific past performance to go on.

7/10

8. Safety

Each car comes with six airbags and there’s plenty of technology to leap to the rescue too: ABS, anti-lock braking, electronic brake-force distribution and emergency brake assist. It scored a maximum five stars in the EuroNCAP safety awards.

9/10

9. Equipment

The Mazda 5 is available in four trim grades. The Mazda5 TS comes with a single CD player, electric front windows and all standard safety devices listed above. Upgrade to the TS2, which we drove, and you get the 16-inch alloys, roof rails, electric rear windows and picnic trays for the second row. The Sport model comes with 17ins alloy wheels, a 6 CD autochanger, rear spoiler, front fog lights, climate control air conditioning and privacy glass. Finally, the Sport-Nav adds (you guessed it) a DVD satellite navigation system, including rear-view parking camera as standard.

8/10

10. X-Factor

Flexibility is key to a modern MPV’s success and the Mazda 5 does a good job of creating a good-looking car which – with it’s combination of seating arrangements; sliding doors and excellent safety – should be able to handle whatever you can throw at it.

8/10

Rivals:
You might want to consider:

Ford Galaxy
Citroen C4 Picasso
Kia Sedona

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