Maxivan
The only true "mini" van gets a major redo
By John LeBlanc
Since its introduction in 2005, the front-wheel-drive Mazda3-based Mazda5 has been popular with young families who need more room than a compact car offers, but don't want to pay the higher price or deal with the bigger size of a standard minivan.
This "less is more" philosophy, however, seems to have resonated with Canadians more than with our friends south of the border: we bought 7,532 Mazda5s last year, about five times more per capita than U.S. buyers. Not surprisingly, rivals have noticed its success. The similar-in-concept Ford C-Max and Chevrolet Orlando - both three-row, compact people-movers - will arrive later this year. To keep its buyers from straying too far, for 2012 the Mazda5 gets new sheet metal, a new engine and an upgraded interior.
The Mazda5 is actually about the same size as the original 1980s Chrysler minivans, it's just that the current minivan crowd (Grand Caravan, Honda Odyssey, Nissan Quest, Toyota Sienna, etc.) has grown over the years in size, performance and features, becoming rather pricey rolling rec rooms in the process. While you can find a bare-bones Grand Caravan for close to the base Mazda GS's $21,795 starting price, the import brands start closer to $30k; with a few options, many push north of $50 big ones -- right out of the budget for most young families. Not the Mazda. Even if you check every box on the top-rung $24,395 GT model including the $1,200 five-speed automatic transmission and add a Luxury Package that includes leather upholstery, centre-row fold-out table/cargo bin and power moonroof, it still comes to only $27,385.
The "less" part of the Mazda's equation includes the relative amount of interior space. There's obviously more than in a standard compact hatchback, but a lot less than a standard minivan. The Mazda's unique 2+2+2 seating arrangement means you'll need to move up to a "real" minivan or a midsize crossover if you want seating for seven or eight. And if you are using all of the Mazda's seats, there's only 112 litres of cargo space; tiny compared to the 915 litres found in the larger Dodge. A cubby underneath the second-row seats can handle only a few colouring books and maybe a baseball glove. And whereas the Mazda5's second-row centre console (only on GT) folds into the right-side seat bottom, the forthcoming C-Max replaces that with a middle seat that folds away, ostensibly making it a seven-seater.
As before, "less" also means it needs less engine than most minivans. For 2012, Mazda has dumped the old 2.3-litre four-cylinder for a larger 2.5L unit. Horsepower gets a mild bump up to 157, but torque goes up by 15 lb.-ft., to 163. There's an optional five-speed automatic gearbox, but the standard six-speed manual is not only a unique proposition for this segment, it also offers a modicum of driving fun. The "more" part of the equation kicks in when it comes to saving you money at the pump - rated at 9.7 L/100 km city and 6.8L highway with its manual transmission, it easily tops its nearest not-so-mini minivan competitor, the $27,900 Toyota Sienna LE with its 187-hp 2.7L four rated at 10.4 L/100 km city, and 7.5L highway.
Despite weighing about 180 kg more than a Mazda3 Sport, the Mazda5 still retains much of the compact hatch's fun-to-drive personality, offering delightful steering feedback, linearity and weight not found on most minivans. Not only can you tell what the tires are doing at the pavement level, there's an immediate reaction when you turn into sharp corners. Compared to the original model, the 2012 Mazda5 feels much better planted with a big reduction in road and tire noise, and an overall feeling of added solidity that delivers a refined, almost-Germanic, highway ride. A lot of credit can go to its relatively sophisticated multilink rear suspension setup. For 2012, the spring rates have been increased even further, resulting in a relatively flat cornering attitude for such a tall vehicle.
The bigger mill and 10-kg reduction in curb weight over last year doesn't make the Mazda5 a dragstrip champion., a zero to 100 km/h run takes just under 10 seconds - about two seconds behind a Mazda3 Sport.
If you need more seats or space - and can afford the extra cost - the 2012 Mazda5 can't compete with larger minivans. But if you can live with "less," the Mazda's agile driving dynamics, fuel-efficiency, low entry price and fun-to-drive qualities make it an attractive package for those looking for a bit "more" than they'd get from the average compact hatchback.
2012 Mazda5
WHAT I LIKED: People-moving space in a small package; outstanding ride and handling package; available manual gearbox
WHAT I DIDN'T: Middle-row convenience tray only available on pricier GT model; low-end, larger minivans offer more seats, power and room; navigation system no longer offered
Base price (GS/GT): $21,795/$24,395
Type of vehicle: FWD, six-passenger compact minivan
Engine: 2.5-litre, 16-valve, DOHC I-4
Power/Torque: 157 hp /163 lb.-ft.
Fuel Economy (city/hwy): 9.7/6.8 L/100 km (manual); 9.5/6.7 L/100 km (auto)
Transmissions: Six-speed manual (opt. Five-speed automatic)
Competition: Chevrolet Orlando, Dodge Caravan, Ford C-Max, Kia Rondo
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