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.

See also:

Wiper Blades
CAUTION: Hot waxes applied by automatic car washers have been known to affect the wiper's ability to clean windows. To prevent damage to the wiper blades, don't use gasoline, kerosene, paint ...

Manual Transaxle Operation
Manual Transaxle Shift Pattern The shift pattern of the transaxle is conventional, as shown. Depress the clutch pedal all the way down while shifting; then release it slowly. A safety feature p ...

Safety
Standard safety features include: * All-disc antilock brakes * Side-impact airbags for the front seats * Three-row side curtain airbags * Electronic stability system with Roll Stability Control r ...