Exterior & Styling
The sliding doors say "minivan," but many see the Mazda5 as a wagon. Minivans tend not to set hearts aflutter, but there's one thing I appreciate about the 2010 Mazda5, and that's its styling. It's nothing special, but it's also not the redesigned 2011 Mazda5 that's due at dealerships early in 2011; Mazda has already released photos (click on the thumbnails to the right). The 2011 has a less restrained design, including the smiling grille most new Mazda models get, plus a new characteristic: wavelike accent lines in the bodyside sheet metal. On the upside, the 2011 lowers the taillights and eliminates the clear-lens-over-chrome style, which is outdated at best.
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Vehicle Overview
Mazda introduced a brand-new sedan in 2003 to replace its 626 model. Expected
to rival European cars in ride and handling, the Mazda6 was built on an all-new
platform. Developers used competitive ...
After Getting In
- Are all doors closed and locked?
- Is the seat adjusted properly?
- Are the inside and outside mirrors adjusted?
- Is the steering wheel adjusted properly?
- Is everyone's seat belt fastened?
- ...
Mazda5 in the Market
The Mazda5 is alone in the small-minivan segment, and its closest competitors
are likely four-door hatchbacks — including the Mazda3 — rather than traditional
minivans like the Dodge Grand Caravan ...


