2006 - 2010 Mazda 5 review

Overview

2006 Mazda 5 Photo: Mazda Canada

You can call it a tall sporty wagon with three rows of seats and sliding rear doors or a fun-to-drive "mini" minivan with an available manual transmission. Either way, the Mazda 5 deserves consideration if you are looking for a family transportation with good fuel economy. The 2009 Mazda 5 with an auto transmission is rated at 21/27 US MPG or 10.7/8.4 L/100km (city/hwy), which is the best fuel economy among minivans.

2006 Mazda 5 Photo: Mazda Canada

2006 Mazda 5 interior Photo: Mazda Canada

Mazda 5 is based on the modified Mazda 3 platform with front-wheel drive, McPherson struts in the front and a multi-link arrangement in the rear suspension.
The only engine choice is a 157-hp 2.3-liter 4-cylinder DOHC; the same engine as in Mazda 3. This engine uses a timing chain; there is no timing belt.
You can choose between a 4-speed automatic (replaced with a 5-speed automatic from 2008) or 5-speed manual transmission.
Mazda 5 uses the Electro-Hydraulic Power Assist Steering (EHPAS); same as in the Mazda 3, with an electric motor driving a hydraulic steering pump.
The disk brakes are standard on all 4 wheels. The ABS is standard. In the frontal crash tests performed by the NHTSA, the 2008-2010 Mazda 5 received five stars for both the driver and the front passenger. In the side-impact crash test, Mazda 5 received five stars for the driver and four stars for the rear passenger. Source: Safercar.gov.

Inside, Mazda 5 has seating room for six with three rows of seats and two seats per row. The tall driver's seat offers good visibility in the front. The sporty steering wheel tilts and telescopes. The instruments are simple, the controls are easy to use (see photos below). The headroom is good in the front; with 6'2" I had plenty of room above me.
Sliding rear doors provide easy access to the second and third rows. The second-row bucket seats slide forward and back, as well as recline. With the second row seats slid all the way back, the legroom is generous. The second-row headroom is also good. The third-row seat space is limited. A cleverly designed optional second-row table with cargo bin folds out from one of the seats into the space between the seats (see photos below). For some reason, this great feature is not standard on all models.
If more cargo space is needed, the second-row cushions fold up and the seatbacks then flip forward; the third-row seats also fold down forming almost flat surface.
On the downside, the air conditioner may feel a bit weak for the rear passengers in early models, as the second-row cool air vents with fan-speed controls were added for the 2008 model. In addition, the seats are firm and the cushions are fairly short, which might be a problem on long trips.
On the road, Mazda 5 feels sporty and handles like a tall car; it doesn't feel bulky and disconnected from the road as a conventional minivan. The ride is firm. The steering is quick and precise. The small turning radius makes it easier to park and navigate through tight spaces. The 2.3L engine is very responsive for daily city driving, but feels a bit underpowered on a highway or with a full load. Some road noise is noticeable.

Overall

Overall, The Mazda 5 may be not as comfortable or roomy as Honda Odyssey or Toyota Sienna, but with gas prices rising, it's worth considering as a smaller and more sporty alternative to a traditional minivan. Mazda 5 drives like a car, it's very maneuverable, and you can even buy it with a manual transmission. Of course, given that it's based on a small car, the Mazda 5 won't be as strong as larger minivans when handling a heavy load.
Look for models after 2007, as many first-year glitches were improved by then. The second-row vents and fan control also became available only in 2008.

What to look for when buying a used Mazda 5

Before buying a used car, it's always a good idea to check used car history records. Watch for uneven tire wear and damage to the rims, as there are many complaints about tires wearing faster and unevenly. During a test drive, watch for irregular noises and vibrations; the noise from the rear tires can also be caused by uneven wear. A bad engine mount can also produce some rattling noise and vibration; there was a service bulletin for 2006 Mazda 5 describing the issue where a bad engine mount can cause a vibration at about 55mph (88 km/h). Make sure the car holds the road well and doesn't pull to one side. Check all the door locks and sliding doors, the door locks are reported to have some issues. Test the remote control, there was a service bulletin (TSB) on poor connection at the negative terminal of the remote's battery causing the remote not to work.
Read more what to look for when buying a used car.
Prior purchase, have the car inspected by a mechanic of your choice. Check with Mazda dealer if all the recalls have been performed. Read our step-by-step used car buying guide for more information.

Few maintenance tips

Wash and wax your vehicle regularly to protect the paint. If you live in the area that sees a lot of salt on the roads in winter time, rustproofing will help to protect the car body from corrosion. Regular oil changes are important. More frequent tire rotation can help to prolong tires life. Mazda 5 is a light vehicle with a 4-cylinder engine, so if you want better traction on winter roads, install winter tires. Keep the sliding door rails clean and lubricated. At least once a year have your vehicle inspected in a garage on the lift (e.g. when doing tire rotation) to keep it safe. Check more car maintenance tips. Follow this link if you need an owner's manual. An owner's manual also has information about recommended fluids, capacities, maintenance schedule and other similar subject. If you need a DIY repair manual, here is the link: Where to find DIY repair information.
If you have noises coming from suspension, have the vehicle checked out by your dealer; there was a technical service bulletin describing few different issues causing squeaking / knocking / rattling noises from the suspension.
Unstable idle and stalling can be cause by a dirty throttle body; there was a TSB on this issue as well. Another TSB describes an issue with heavy steering effort with power steering malfunction indicator on caused by contamination of the hydraulic system. Take your car to your Mazda dealer if you have this issue.
Read here if your Check Engine light comes on. If your Mazda 5 has a trouble code P0106 Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP/BARO) Sensor Range/Performance, there was a TSB describing an issue with the corrosion of the MAP sensor chip causing the code P0106. The Bulletin recommends replacing the MAP sensor with modified part.
Read more about Engine Trouble Codes.

2007 Mazda 5 short specifications

Mazda 5 Photos

2007 Mazda 5 interior. 2007 Mazda 5 center console. Mazda 5 instrument cluster. Mazda 5 front seats Cupholders and center console storage Mazda 5 second-row seats Third-row seats Storage under the second-row seat cushion Second-row fold-out tray Second-row tray folded into the seat Third-row seats up Third-row seats folded down Second and third-row seats folded down

2007 Mazda 5 interior