Mazda5 in the Market

You would think that selling the only vehicle of a particular type would be desirable. With few exceptions, automakers don't work that way. They'd rather slug it out with competitors for the heart of the market, as illustrated by the size uniformity of most minivans — as well as the recently enlarged Subaru Forester and Outback, which historically were uniquely sized in between other crossovers.

The Mazda5 and Rondo are in a subclass by themselves, where the Mazda distinguishes itself further with sliding doors and a price that's hard for any small vehicle to beat. The added stability system helps it catch up with the Rondo, and the manual gearbox is a plus for some buyers.

The Mazda5's main shortcoming versus its competitors is its limited front and second-row dimensions. If your family members are all small, it shouldn't be a problem, but if you don't care about sliding doors or only carry two to four people on a regular basis, the Mazda5's appeal is more elusive.

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    Interior Equipment (View B)
    1. Audio control switches. 2. SRS air bags. 3. Cruise control switches. 4. Audio system. 5. Hazard warning flasher switch. 6. Climate control system. 7. MT shift lever. 8. AT shift lever. 9. ...

    Safety
    In Insurance Institute for Highway Safety testing, the CX-7 received a Good overall rating — the highest possible score — for its performance in frontal-offset and side-impact crash tests. The IIH ...

    Accessory Sockets
    Only use genuine Mazda accessories or the equivalent requiring no greater than 120 W (DC 12 V, 10 A). Front The ignition switch must be in the ACC or ON position. With Advanced Key To use, pr ...