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2006 Mazda5 Touring Road Test

Ultimately Practical Yet Unconscientiously Fun

Is Mazda taking a big chance launching its compact Mazda5 minivan in America? After all, mini-MPVs may do well in Europe where the average vehicle size is much smaller than on this side of the Atlantic, but most of its U.S. competitors are making larger vans, not downsizing.

Rest assured that the alternative Japanese automaker isnt about to replace its midsize MPV minivan with the new compact model, but rather fill a market niche that no rival has yet been interested in targeting. And at $17,435, the base Sport version should interest a select group of buyers needing practical transportation but not willing or able to move up to the current crop of larger, more expensive vans.

But will the Mazda5 sell well enough to deem it a success? If enough people take the opportunity to snub convention and take one for

Will the Mazda5 sell well enough to deem it a success? (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

a spin, I dont doubt that it will win over a large following. Why am I so confident? Well, the new 5 embodies all of the attributes that have so effectively won over the Japanese brands loyal 3 and 6 following, the same practical enthusiasm that makes the RX-8 one of the most inventive sports cars ever made.

If you cant tell, Im a little smitten by this new arrival. Ive always liked minivans. I appreciate how functional they are, and how life with one is so much more convenient than life without one. Sure, there are a handful of crossovers that offer

The added length and height compared to a Mazda3 allows for a third row of seats, resulting in the ability to accept six adults comfortably. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

seating for seven, the rearmost that almost always need to be children, but nevertheless reasonable interior roominess, car-like handling and the appearance of a go-anywhere SUV, but none can match the out and out versatility of a well designed minivan. Mazdas MPV is a fine example of just how good vehicles in this segment have become, but while slightly smaller than most of its peers its still a relatively large vehicle, challenging for some to slot into "Small Car" parking spaces and heavier on fuel than an economy car. This is why I like Mazdas

Shoulder space seemed adequate for larger folks despite the 5s compact width. (Photo: Mazda Motor of America)

new 5 so much. It is compact, the same width as the Mazda3 that its based on and built beside in Mazdas Hiroshima, Japan facility, only 5.9 inches longer, albeit noticeably taller. The added length and height allows for a third row of seats, resulting in the ability to accept six adults comfortably seated and a modicum of luggage behind. I would have been remiss not to have sat in back myself, and upon climbing behind the second row seat, which popped up, forward and out of the way easily, giving enough room so that no contortionist antics were needed, I slipped into the third row seat and pulled the seatback in front of me rearward to check legroom. While

The third row seatbacks fold forward and lay completely flat, ideal for loading cargo. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

not equivalent to a first class seat on a JAL flight to Tokyo, the little Japanese micro-van offered ample room for my knees, the ability to tuck my shoes between the floor and second row seat cushion, and more than enough headroom. Granted, Im only five-foot-eight, but some taller colleagues of mine were impressed at its "bearable" capabilities.

Even with passengers in back those in the second row wont lose any legroom, and this would be my choice of the two. The front seatbacks are carved out to allow especially tall occupants an inch or two additional knee room, and shoulder space seemed adequate for larger folks despite the 5s compact width.

Oddly, the front passenger seat isnt as affable

Additional storage bins are located under the second row of seats. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

for those hampered with excessive height. My driving partner, all six-foot-two of him, couldnt push the seat far enough rearward to allow him room for his legs. They were crushed up against the dash, causing noticeable discomfort. When he was in the drivers seat, the lever that raises the cushion high enough to allow shorter people to see over the dash doesnt lower enough to allow adequate headroom. Too bad, because both problems could be rectified relatively easily, and possibly even at the dealer level.

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