2009 Mazda 5: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

The 2009 Mazda 5 is largely unchanged. 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 a one-piece liftgate. Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring versions are available. All have a 153-hp 2.3-liter 4-cylinder 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 the 2nd-row seats recline and slide fore and aft to adjust for cargo or passenger space. Available safety features include ABS, front side airbags, and curtain side airbags. A sunroof is standard on Touring and Grand Touring and is no longer available on the Sport. 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 the Chevrolet Malibu, Honda Accord, and Kia Rondo. Our Recommended picks are the Hyundai Sonata, Mazda 5, Saturn Aura, Toyota Camry, and Toyota Prius.

New or significantly redesigned models include the Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima, Mazda 6, Mitsubishi Galant, and Nissan Maxima.