Up Close: 2008 Mazda5

The restyled Mazda5 wasn't an official debut at the Chicago auto show, but that was our first opportunity to check out the changes Mazda has made to its small van for the 2008 model year.

The van features subtle styling changes in front, including a more V-shaped grille, restyled headlights and a larger opening in the center of the bumper. The result is a clean, sporty look, but the changes are so minor that it helps to have an image of the previous van to compare it to so you can see what's new. New taillights take the clear-lens styling theme to extremes.

Mazda says the cabin gets new gauges, an auxiliary input jack and a new color, Sand, among other things. If you've been in the previous van, the cabin will look much the same to you. The available leather steering wheel has a nice feel to it, but the driver's seat could really use more rearward travel; if you're tall, you might not be able to get a comfortable distance from the pedals. The two middle chairs offer decent comfort for adults, and the small third row should be able to fit two kids.

If you're looking for a small hatchback, you might want to add the Mazda5 to your list if it's not there already. It offers decent gas mileage — 22/28 mpg city/highway with the manual and 21/27 with the automatic — and is efficient in terms of its passenger- and cargo-carrying abilities. The changes for 2008 only add to its appeal.

Comments

[Tony]

I tested this car at the dealer and the car show. I liked this car a lot but when reality settled in my head I had to scratch this out of my shopping list.
This is 4 pass car if you need trunk and adult can't seat in the 3rd row. This car could benefit from second row bench seat, like Kia Rondo did.

[Anonymous]

I agree, the car should be able to seat 3 in the second row in a pinch. Like the European version does (it has a collapsable middle seat that can hide underneath the cushion of one of the "normal" seats. That's the reason keeping me from buying the US version. Will probably settle for the Kia Rondo instead even though its gas mileage sucks.
See this photo for the 3rd seat in the 2nd row that's in the European versions: http://www.mazda.fr/utilities/downloadmanager.htm?id={96EB15E2-BF0F-49BA-8DE2-F49A625B88CE}

[DL]

guess you all are not the average sized Americans ... getting in and out would also be a challenge

[J]

DL,
I can't imagine how obese do I have to be in order to have a challenge coming in and out from a sliding door.

Dave,
I swear I saw this baby in the NAIAS.

[Double-Take]

Own a 2006 and a 2008. Like both styles. No need to seat 3 people in the 2nd row at all, just perfect as it is for its size. Love the fact that it has kept the Manual Transmission and its handling, no other car has matched my needs. Oh, but yes, an extra inch or so for the front seats would be nice.

[SL]

My husband and I took the Mazda5 for a test drive this week. When I'd peeked at it at the NAIAS, I thought there was no way a grown adult could possibly fit in the back row. This time, I attempted to climb back there. I was shocked to find that it wasn't that hard, and there was actually enough room for me. Granted, I'm a 5'3" female. While I wouldn't want to sit there on a cross-country trek, a smallish adult or a kid could easily ride across town and not feel too cramped. It rode nice, and the price, gas-mileage and sliding doors were a real bonus too. It doesn't have all the size flexibility of a van, but it's a great step above a standard station wagon (my current vehicle).