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:

Engine Oil
NOTE. Changing the engine oil should be done by an Authorized Mazda Dealer. Recommended Oil Use SAE 5W-20 engine oil. Oil container labels provide important information. A chief contribution th ...

Design
At launch in 2007, Mazda's sports crossover SUV featured an advanced design that gave it an emotional appeal usually reserved for sports cars. Taking this as their basis, designers of the facelift ...

Interior
For its exterior size, the CX-9's cabin is a bit snug. Its passenger volume is 139 cubic feet, which is smaller than the seven-seat Highlander (146 cubic feet), the Traverse (154 cubic feet), the ...