Acceleration

Touring w/nav. sys., man.	Touring, auto.	Class Average
5	4	5.9

Responsive with slick, easy-shifting manual transmission. Performance adequate with automatic, though some passing maneuvers demand planning; using manual shift gate compensates some.

Fuel Economy

Touring w/nav. sys., man.	Touring, auto.	Class Average
6	6	5.1

Test Tourings with automatic transmission averaged 21.8-22.0 mpg. No opportunity to measure with manual transmission. The 5 uses regular-grade fuel.

Ride Quality

Touring w/nav. sys., man.	Touring, auto.	Class Average
6	6	6.1

Firm but never unpleasant, despite some jolting over sharp bumps and pavement seams. Nicely settled on wavy surfaces.

Steering/Handling/Braking

Touring w/nav. sys., man.	Touring, auto.	Class Average
6	6	6.2

Surprisingly sporty. Good grip, modest body lean in corners. Responsive steering provides fine road feel, tight turning circle. Directional stability very good even in strong crosswinds.

Quietness

Touring w/nav. sys., man.	Touring, auto.	Class Average
4	4	6.2

Engine throbs at idle, is a bit noisy at full throttle, but cruises quietly enough. Wind rush modest at highway speeds, but coarse pavement induces audible tire thrum that resonates through large, open interior.

Controls

Touring w/nav. sys., man.	Touring, auto.	Class Average
7	7	6.7

Stylish cabin belies Mazda 5's modest pricing with upscale soft-touch surfaces, metal-look accents, sturdy fabrics. Gauges hard to read in some daylight conditions. Ditto pop-up dashboard screen for optional navigation system, which works well otherwise. Switchgear simple, handy. Transmission gear lever sprouts from lower middle of dashboard, takes some acclimation.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

Touring w/nav. sys., man.	Touring, auto.	Class Average
7	7	6.8

Seats higher than in most cars, but visibility not the best to right-rear or astern. Broad dashtop imparts minivan feel. Standard tilt/telescope steering wheel, pump-handle seat-height adjuster help situate driver. Firm seats have just enough lateral support, but very tall drivers wanted longer cushions, more rearward travel. Head room good for all.

Room/Comfort (rear)

Touring w/nav. sys., man.	Touring, auto.	Class Average
7	7	5.1

Terrific 2nd-row head and leg room abetted by slide and recline adjustments, but some testers find seats themselves too firm for best comfort. All agree 3rd row suits only small children, especially for foot space. Sliding doors provide outstanding entry/exit to 2nd row but not to 3rd row, which requires serious contortions.

Cargo Room

Touring w/nav. sys., man.	Touring, auto.	Class Average
7	7	4.8

Large side and rear openings ease loading, but liftgate barely clears six-footer heads. Just grocery-bag space behind 3rd row, but all rear seats fold to make a nearly flat floor and can be arranged for variety of spacious passenger/cargo loads. Abundant small-item storage includes hidden trays beneath 2nd-row seats and rear cargo floor.

Value within Class

Touring w/nav. sys., man.	Touring, auto.	Class Average
7	8	6.3

Mazda 5 earns a Recommended nod as a well-made, sensibly sized wagon that's sedan sporty, minivan versatile, and priced right. It also offers good fuel economy and outstanding room for four plus lots of stuff--for four adults, a little cargo, and, in the 3rd-row seats, two tykes.

Total Score

Touring w/nav. sys., man.	Touring, auto.	Class Average
62	62	59.2

Scores for all Midsize Cars

Low Score		47
Average Score		59
High Score		69