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:

Hazardous Driving
WARNING: Be extremely careful if it is necessary to downshift on slippery surfaces: Downshifting into lower gear while driving on slippery surfaces is dangerous. The sudden change in tire speed ...

Cruise Control
* Some models. With cruise control, you can set and automatically maintain any speed of more than about 30 km/h (19 mph). WARNING: Do not use the cruise control under the following conditions: ...

Lighting Control
Headlights Type A (Without AUTO position) Turn the headlight switch to turn the headlights, other exterior lights and dashboard illumination on or off. NOTE: - If the light switch is left on ...