With its Ford Focus roots, the Mazda 5 is great to drive, yet it's comfortable too. Even better, thanks to its long wheelbase, the 5 offers comfort, space and practicality in equal measure. But thanks to a lack of awareness, even though the 5 isn't that common, depreciation can be savage - which only serves to make Mazda's compact MPV more appealing for the used buyer. But despite the Mazda being Japanese, reliability can be an issue.
Key Dates
6/05: The 5 replaces Mazda's slow-selling Premacy, with a choice of 1.8 or 2.0-litre petrol engines, plus a 2.0-litre turbodiesel. Unique in the segment is a set of sliding rear doors.
12/07: The 2.0 petrol models get a six-speed manual gearbox; this transmission had always featured in the diesel models.
2/08: There's now a five-speed auto option for the 2.0 petrol and CO2 emissions for all Mazda 5s are reduced.
1/10: An upgraded 5 offers extra standard kit and improved dynamics.
Mazda 5 (2005-2009) Checklist
- Post-February 2008 cars are generally more reliable, better equipped and more luxuriously finished.
- Newer cars also have lower CO2 emissions.
- This isn't a true seven-seater; it's more of a 6+1 as the central middle seat is narrow.
- Fuel economy can be an issue; even the diesels aren't always that frugal.
- The sliding doors can stick, so check they slide freely.
- Alarm systems can be erratic, usually going off when they shouldn't, sometimes the opposite.
- Uneven tyre wear is common, especially with 17-inch wheels and Dunlop tyres.
- The diesel engines can use a lot of oil.
- Electrical faults are common and batteries can fail altogether.
- Some interior plastics are flimsy, so they mark or get damaged all easily.
We Like
- Good dynamically
- Unusual
- Good value
- Well equipped
We Don't Like
- Early cars unreliable
- Not a true seven-seater