Mazda5 2009 Review

Editor's note: This review was written in April 2008 about the 2008 Mazda5. Little of substance has changed with this year's model. To see what's new for 2009, click here, or check out a side-by-side comparison of the two model years.

The Mazda5 minivan is fun to drive. That's right: A minivan that's fun to drive. How can this be? The secret's in its size, as the six-person Mazda5 is significantly smaller than traditional minivans.

The benefits of this approach — sporty handling, minimal body roll and manageable dimensions — are readily apparent after only a short time behind the wheel. There are also, however, some significant drawbacks.

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Vehicle Overview
Mazda's midsize front-wheel-drive sedan benefits from a sportier nature than some of its competitors. Inline-four-cylinder (in "i" models) and V-6 ("s" models) engines are avai ...

Accessory Socket
The ignition switch must be in the ACC or ON position. Only use genuine Mazda accessories or the equivalent requiring no greater than 120 W (DC 12 V, 10 A). CAUTION: To prevent accessory socke ...

Ride & Handling
The Mazda5's steering response is designed to engage the driver. A turn of the wheel delivers a quick change of direction, and there's a fair amount of feedback. The suspension is on the firm side ...