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2008 Mazda 5 Full Review
Date Published: 5/02/08
Also in the 2008 Mazda 5 Review:
2008 Mazda 5 Review
The 2008 Mazda 5 receives exterior and interior styling changes. The exterior changes include a new front fascia, grille, headlights, and taillights. The interior is updated with restyled gauges, center console, 2nd-row air vents with fan speed control, and additional armrests. Also new is a 5-speed automatic transmission, replacing the previously offered 4-speed. Mazda 5 is based on the front-wheel-drive Mazda 3 compact car, but has a longer, taller body with seating for six, minivan-style sliding rear side doors, and one-piece liftgate. Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring versions are available. All have a 153-hp 2.3-liter 4-cyl engine. A 5-speed manual transmission is standard on Sport. A 5-speed automatic is optional on Sport and standard on Touring and Grand Touring. Seating is in three rows of two. The 2nd and 3rd rows fold, and 2nd-row seats recline and slide fore and aft to adjust cargo or passenger space. Available safety features include ABS, front side airbags, and curtain side airbags. A sunroof is available for Sport and is standard on the other models. Grand Touring adds leather upholstery, heated front seats, and xenon headlamps. A navigation system is optional for Grand Touring.
Competition
Consumer Guide Automotive places each vehicle into one of 18 classes based on size, price, and market position. Midsize Cars represent the heart of the U.S. car market. Most are price-sensitive, conservatively designed, family oriented sedans and wagons.
Our Best Buys include Honda Accord and Kia Rondo. Our Recommended picks are the Ford Fusion, Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima, Mazda 5, Mercury Milan, Nissan Altima, Saturn Aura, and Toyota Camry.
New or significantly redesigned models include the Chevrolet Malibu, Dodge Avenger, Honda Accord, and Mazda 5.
Our Best Buys include Honda Accord and Kia Rondo. Our Recommended picks are the Ford Fusion, Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima, Mazda 5, Mercury Milan, Nissan Altima, Saturn Aura, and Toyota Camry.
New or significantly redesigned models include the Chevrolet Malibu, Dodge Avenger, Honda Accord, and Mazda 5.
News
No significant near-term changes are likely for this compact people-mover.
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2008 Mazda 5 Road Test
| Pros | Cons |
| Build quality | 3rd-row passenger room |
| Ride/handling | |
| Interior storage space | |
Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings
Acceleration
Mazda 5 is responsive with the slick, easy-shifting manual transmission. No opportunity yet to test with the new 5-speed automatic transmission.
| Sport, manual | Class Average |
| 5 | 5.6 |
Mazda 5 is responsive with the slick, easy-shifting manual transmission. No opportunity yet to test with the new 5-speed automatic transmission.
Fuel Economy
No opportunity to measure. The 5 uses regular-grade gas.
| Sport, manual | Class Average |
| 6 | 5.5 |
No opportunity to measure. The 5 uses regular-grade gas.
Ride Quality
The ride is firm but never unpleasant despite some jolting over sharp bumps and pavement seams. The car is nicely settled on wavy surfaces.
| Sport, manual | Class Average |
| 6 | 6 |
The ride is firm but never unpleasant despite some jolting over sharp bumps and pavement seams. The car is nicely settled on wavy surfaces.
Steering/Handling/Braking
Mazda 5 is surprisingly sporty. Grip is good and body lean is modest in corners. The responsive steering provides fine road feel and a tight turning circle. Directional stability is very good even in strong crosswinds.
| Sport, manual | Class Average |
| 6 | 6 |
Mazda 5 is surprisingly sporty. Grip is good and body lean is modest in corners. The responsive steering provides fine road feel and a tight turning circle. Directional stability is very good even in strong crosswinds.
Quietness
The engine throbs at idle and is a bit noisy at full throttle, but it cruises quietly enough. Wind rush is modest at highway speeds, but coarse pavement induces audible tire thrum that resonates through the large, open interior.
| Sport, manual | Class Average |
| 4 | 6 |
The engine throbs at idle and is a bit noisy at full throttle, but it cruises quietly enough. Wind rush is modest at highway speeds, but coarse pavement induces audible tire thrum that resonates through the large, open interior.
Controls
Switchgear is simple and handy. The optional navigation system no longer pops up out of the top of the dashboard. It's now situated in the more traditional location in the middle of the dashboard stack above the climate controls.
| Sport, manual | Class Average |
| 6 | 6.3 |
Switchgear is simple and handy. The optional navigation system no longer pops up out of the top of the dashboard. It's now situated in the more traditional location in the middle of the dashboard stack above the climate controls.
Details
The stylish cabin belies Mazda 5's modest pricing with upscale soft-touch surfaces, metal-look accents, and sturdy fabrics.
| Sport, manual | Class Average |
| 7 | 5.6 |
The stylish cabin belies Mazda 5's modest pricing with upscale soft-touch surfaces, metal-look accents, and sturdy fabrics.
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)
Occupants sit higher than in most cars, but visibility is not the best to right-rear or astern. The broad dashtop imparts a minivan feel. The standard tilt and telescopic steering wheel and pump-handle seat-height adjuster help situate the driver. The firm seats have just enough lateral support, but very tall drivers wanted longer cushions and more rearward travel. Headroom is good for all.
| Sport, manual | Class Average |
| 7 | 6.7 |
Occupants sit higher than in most cars, but visibility is not the best to right-rear or astern. The broad dashtop imparts a minivan feel. The standard tilt and telescopic steering wheel and pump-handle seat-height adjuster help situate the driver. The firm seats have just enough lateral support, but very tall drivers wanted longer cushions and more rearward travel. Headroom is good for all.
Room/Comfort (rear)
Terrific 2nd-row headroom and legroom is abetted by the slide and recline adjustments, but some testers find the seats themselves too firm for best comfort. All agree that the 3rd row suits only small children, especially for foot space. The sliding doors provide outstanding entry and exit to the 2nd row but not to the 3rd row, which requires serious contortions.
| Sport, manual | Class Average |
| 7 | 5.2 |
Terrific 2nd-row headroom and legroom is abetted by the slide and recline adjustments, but some testers find the seats themselves too firm for best comfort. All agree that the 3rd row suits only small children, especially for foot space. The sliding doors provide outstanding entry and exit to the 2nd row but not to the 3rd row, which requires serious contortions.
Cargo Room
Large side and rear openings ease loading, but the liftgate barely clears six-footer heads. There is just grocery-bag space behind 3rd row, but all rear seats fold to make a nearly flat floor and can be arranged for a variety of spacious passenger or cargo loads. There is abundant small-item storage that includes hidden trays beneath the 2nd-row seats and rear cargo floor.
| Sport, manual | Class Average |
| 9 | 4.1 |
Large side and rear openings ease loading, but the liftgate barely clears six-footer heads. There is just grocery-bag space behind 3rd row, but all rear seats fold to make a nearly flat floor and can be arranged for a variety of spacious passenger or cargo loads. There is abundant small-item storage that includes hidden trays beneath the 2nd-row seats and rear cargo floor.
Value within Class
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--four adults, a little cargo and, in the 3rd-row seats, two tykes.
| Sport, manual | Class Average |
| 7 | 6.2 |
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--four adults, a little cargo and, in the 3rd-row seats, two tykes.
Total Score
| Sport, manual | Class Average |
| 70 | 63.2 |
Scores for all Midsize Cars
| Low Score | 48 | |
| Average Score | 63 | |
| High Score | 74 |
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2008 Mazda 5 Prices & Equipment
Model Prices
Prices Updated: 05/01/2008
| Trim Name | Retail Price | Dealer Invoice | Destination Charge |
|
|
|||
| Sport 4-door wagon, manual | $17,995 | $16,849 | $650 |
|
|
|||
| Sport 4-door wagon, automatic | $18,945 | $17,734 | $650 |
|
|
|||
| Touring 4-door wagon, automatic | $20,760 | $19,427 | $650 |
|
|
|||
| Grand Touring 4-door wagon, automatic | $22,515 | $21,063 | $650 |
Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's
manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker.
Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are
what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options.
The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price
and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently
throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's
window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.
NA = price note available, NC = no charge.
Rebates and Incentives
| Model | Rebate & Incentives | Type | Expires |
|
|
|||
| Mazda 5 | 1.9%-3.9% financing. | Customer | 06/02/08 |
Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national
manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings
may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.
Standard Equipment
Sport
Powertrain
2.3-liter 4-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmission w/manual-shift capability.
Safety
Dual front airbags, front side airbags, curtain side airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, brake assist, tire-pressure monitor.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Air conditioning, interior air filter, tilt/telescopic steering wheel w/radio controls, cruise control, cloth upholstery, 6-passenger seating, front bucket seats, driver-seat height and lumbar adjustment, center console, 2nd-row adjustable bucket seats, 3rd-row split folding seat, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/CD player, digital-media player connection, tachometer, outside-temperature indicator, intermittent wipers, rear defogger, intermittent rear wiper/washer, floormats.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Theft-deterrent system, roof rack, 205/50VR17 tires, alloy wheels.
Touring adds to Sport:
Powertrain
5-speed automatic transmission w/manual-shift capability.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Automatic climate control, leather-wrapped steering wheel, power sunroof, AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer, 2nd-row fold-out table.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Fog lights, side-sill extensions, rear spoiler.
Grand Touring adds to Touring:
Comfort and Convenience Features
Leather upholstery, heated front seats, heated power mirrors, wireless cell phone link, rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlights.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Xenon headlights.
Optional Equipment
Major Packages |
Retail Price |
Invoice Price |
|
Popular Equipment Pkg.
|
||
|
Sport automatic
|
$490
|
$421
|
|
AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer, side-sill extensions, rear spoiler. Std. Touring, Grand Touring.
|
||
|
|
||
Comfort and Convenience Features |
||
|
Navigation system
|
||
|
Grand Touring
|
$2,000
|
$1,720
|
|
Power sunroof
|
||
|
Sport automatic
|
$700
|
$602
|
|
Requires Popular Equipment Pkg.
|
||
|
DVD entertainment system
|
||
|
Sport, Touring
|
$1,200
|
$960
|
|
AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD/MP3 changer
|
||
|
Sport
|
$500
|
$400
|
|
Satellite radio
|
||
|
Grand Touring, Sport, Touring
|
$430
|
$344
|
|
Remote engine start
|
||
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automatic
|
$350
|
$280
|
|
Cargo cover
|
||
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Grand Touring, Sport, Touring
|
$150
|
$120
|
|
Automatic day/night rearview mirror
|
||
|
Grand Touring, Sport, Touring
|
$275
|
$220
|
|
Includes compass, universal garage door opener.
|
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Rubber floormats
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Grand Touring, Sport, Touring
|
$78
|
$62
|
|
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Appearance and Miscellaneous |
||
|
Fog lights
|
||
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Sport
|
$300
|
$240
|
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Door edge guards
|
||
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Grand Touring, Sport, Touring
|
$75
|
$60
|
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Bumper pad
|
||
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Grand Touring, Sport, Touring
|
$50
|
$40
|
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Special paint
|
||
|
Touring, Grand Touring
|
$200
|
$172
|
|
|
||
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Get a FREE Price Quote:
2008 Mazda 5 Specs & Safety
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | Mazda 5 4-door wagon |
| Wheelbase, in. | 108.3 |
| Overall Length, in. | 181.5 |
| Overall Width, in. | 69.1 |
| Overall Height, in. | 64.2 |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 3417 |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 70.9 |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 15.9 |
| Seating Capacity | 6 |
| Front Head Room, in. | 40.7 |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 40.7 |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 39.4 |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 35.2 |
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Engines
| dohc I4 | |
| Size, liters/cu. in. | 2.3 /138 |
| Horsepower @ rpm. | 153 @ 6500 |
| Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm. | 148 @ 4500 |
| Availability | Standard |
|
EPA City / highway mpg
|
|
| 5-speed manual | 22/28 |
| 5-speed automatic | 21/27 |
Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft;
dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders;
V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions
per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--"
= measurement does not exist.
Safety Features
Antilock Brakes
Traction Control
Antiskid System |
Front Side Airbags
Curtain Side Airbags
Rear Side Airbags |
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
| Test | Mazda 5 4-door wagon |
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's
worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to
rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury:
5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact
crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%;
1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover
when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%;
2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Manufacturer's Warranty
| Class | Years/Miles | Comments |
| Powertrain | 5/60,000 | -- |
| Bumper-to-bumper | 3/36,000 | -- |
| Corrosion | 5/unlimited | -- |
| Free roadside assistance | 3/36,000 | -- |
| Free scheduled maintenance | --/-- | -- |
Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive.
There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two
other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for
2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any
on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts
and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.
Built in:
Japan
Drivewheels:
front-wheel drive
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Also in the 2008 Mazda 5 Review:
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