2012 Mazda 5 Grand Touring /Review

28 Aug 2011

2012 Mazda 5 Grand Touring /Review

• • Labels: auto, auto reviews, Cars 2012, cars special edition, mazda, new cars, Reviews

The mini-minivan has an almost perfect combination of passenger-carrying ability and small-car maneuverability, offering all that seating, up to 97.7 cubic feet of cargo space and a turning circle of 36.7 feet-all bundled within a package just two inches longer than a Ford Focus (180.5 inches vs. 178.5).

In fact, the new-for-2012 Mazda 5 sits on the same platform as the Focus (or, more accurately, the Mazda 3) and has the same MacPherson-strut front and multilink-rear suspension setup and a very similar drive character, with a fairly nimble demeanor over twisting mountain roads and enough power to keep up with the flow on the freeway. The stiffer body maintains its composure even when pushed around turns a bit aggressively, but we could use more weight in the steering.

We spec'd up a loaded, top-of-the-line Grand Touring model, checking every option box on offer at the time of our order. Unfortunately, a navigation system was not yet available, nor was a rear-seat entertainment system, so our options consist of some $50 rear bumper guards.

To compare the sticker of our Mazda 5 with some of the minivan alternatives available, the Mazda starts at $19,990. Our Grand Touring model, with those bumper guards and its standard power-sliding moonroof, six-disc CD player, satellite radio and fog lights, tops out at $24,720.

The Honda Odyssey starts at $29,885 and doesn't max out until somewhere in the stratospheric reaches of Minivan Monroney Land, at about $45,000. Granted, even a base-model Odyssey offers a lot more space, a much more powerful 3.5-liter V6 engine and top-notch attention to detail in the fit and finish of parts and materials. But it doesn't trump the Mazda 5 in safety features, it lags in fuel economy, and it has a much tougher go of it in underground parking garages and tight parallel-parking situations.

So far, reaction in the office to the Mazda 5's new styling is mixed. Some genuinely like the crazy "Nagare," or wind-inspired, sculpting carved into the sides. Others find it a bit silly, perhaps the work of an overeager designer acting out for being relegated to penning the sheetmetal for a minivan. The corporate face is still too smiley for most, but the redesigned rear end is handsome, with more conventionally positioned taillights replacing the window-flanking taillights of the previous model.

Inside, the leather-trimmed seats are comfortable and provide adequate support. We like that the second row has captain's chairs, while the third row provides real room for its occupants-maybe not six-foot-four-inch room but enough space for smaller folks to sit comfortably.

For the more outdoorsy types on staff, the Mazda 5 should provide plenty of hauling capacity for tents, coolers and hiking gear, but there's no towing ability to speak of, so the duck boat and pop-up campers will be relegated to other members of the long- term fleet.

PRICING & OPTIONS

Base (includes $795 delivery): $24,670 As-tested price: $24,720

__________________________________________

DIMENSIONS

Wheelbase (in): 108.3 Track (in): 60.2 front, 59.8 rear

Length/width/height (in): 180.5/68.9/63.6 Curb weight/GVWR (lb): 3,457/4,685