2008 Mazda MAZDA5 Consumer Reviews

I am in love!!

Written by: dopey on 11/14/2008

Vehicle

2008 Mazda MAZDA5 Touring 4dr Minivan (2.3L 4cyl 5A)

Review

I love this car!! It has every feature you want. I didn't want an suv or mini- van. This car is perfect. It is so much fun to drive. I didn't like the style at first. The car grows on you. All my neighbors compliment the car every time I see them. It's great for a small family. My 2 and half year old loves having his own seat too. The only down fall is my stroller fits on an angle. Also, the automatic car starter from Mazda is awesome. It worth every penny.

Favorite Features

seating, auto climate control, control options on steering wheel, Sliding doors, storage under the 2nd row seats, and all the cup holders. Mazda's bumper to bumper extended warranty is a great option also

Suggested Improvements

Just a little wider!! and more safety options like traction control would be nice.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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My New Mini- MiniVan !

Written by: NAA on 11/10/2008

Vehicle

2008 Mazda MAZDA5 Grand Touring 4dr Minivan (2.3L 4cyl 5A)

Review

We were looking for good gas mileage, the right price with optional 6 passenger seating when we spotted a 2008 Mazda 5. It is easy for the kids to open the sliding doors to get in and out. The second row seating is comfortable and has a great bin for toys and cups. Now I can pick up my friends kids or transport family when I need to. The Mazda 5 third row folds down so easily when not in use. I can't believe the ergonomic storage room . I bought a snow blower for my husband and there was no problem sliding it in the back of the car with room to spare. My 6'4 husband fits in the drivers seat but the glove box in the pass is tight. We are pleased with the overall performance of the 5.

Favorite Features

I love having the phone and radio/cd controls on the steering wheel. Heated seats and bluetooth are great! The sliding side doors are great in tight places. Comfortable arm rests. The easy folding third row is great and allows for good cargo area. The 5 is fun to drive!

Suggested Improvements

Warning to families with little ones- my 5 year old got his hand closed in the sliding door. He reached up there as I was sliding the door from outside. Luckily the weather striping saved him. Automatic doors with warning would be nice but would come at a price. Also TCS. We bought snow tires as well

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Mazda5 Notes

Written by: KHS on 10/25/2008

Vehicle

2008 Mazda MAZDA5 Grand Touring 4dr Minivan (2.3L 4cyl 5A)

Review

Traded my Volvo 940 Wagon for the Mazda5 GT. Use primarily for business. I need cargo room, and hate SUVs. First, the gas mileage is awesome... 39 mpg on my recent road trip. Easy vehicle to work from. Sliding doors help. No mechanical issues, noises, squeaks or rattles. Really solid car. However, I miss the comfort of my Volvo. The seat bottoms are too short, and too narrow. The climate controls are way too complicated. The gas & brake pedals are too close together. As others have noted, the interior plastics are poor quality, and scuff easily. Storage is sparse. Map pockets in the doors are preferred to the bottle holders. There is a storage pocket behind the driver's seat only.

Favorite Features

Reliability, gas mileage, unique styling, small turning circle for a front drive car, reasonable price.

Suggested Improvements

More accessible storage, less complicated climate controls, eliminate "rain sensing" wipers, improve seat design, really CHEESY jack. Side sill extensions prevent installation of front mud guards, hence I'm constantly removing tar splashes from paint. Hood prop rod... please use gas lifters instead.

5 out 6 people found this review helpful

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I love this car!

Written by: Jay and Emme on 10/21/2008

Vehicle

2008 Mazda MAZDA5 Grand Touring 4dr Minivan (2.3L 4cyl 5A)

Review

The Mazda5 has been one of the most fun cars I've owned. After finding out we were going to become a family of six rather than five, we needed a vehicle that could hold us all and traded in our sedan. We already have a large minivan and I wanted something better on gas and a bit sportier, so we bought the Grand Touring. The four kids fit fine, though it is umbrella stroller only as there is almost no trunk space. Trips require use of the luggage rack with 5+ people. I love the nimbleness in traffic and the tight turn base and size makes parking a breeze. It definitely has some zoom-zoom compared to other family vans. The 5 is fun to drive, has nice features and I get about 26 mpg.

Favorite Features

The Mazda5 displays welcomes you when turn on with a friendly, "Hello!" The automatic stuff is nice, including climate control, lights (which you can also turn off) and even the wind-shield wiper. The GT5 has integrated Bluetooth with very good call clarity. Phone/radio controls on the wheel.

Suggested Improvements

That the radio stay on when the key is taken out until the door is opened. That the electrical plug-ins work with the key out. The Japanese model comes with optional remote control side doors. Roof rack would be much nicer if vertical. Why a left side gas tank? Driver's side easier to fill.

1 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Perfect Size

Written by: kb on 10/18/2008

Vehicle

2008 Mazda MAZDA5 Touring 4dr Minivan (2.3L 4cyl 5A)

Review

My wife and I bought a Copper Red Touring model just two weeks ago, after I spent almost a full year researching the 5. We have two young boys and only occasionally need to carry extra passengers, so this vehicle will be perfect for us. We leave the third-row seats folded flat, and it provides more cargo area (and more versatile use of that area) than a typical sedan. I find the ride rather comfortable -- a little stiff on pavement seams, but I think that's a deliberate trade-off Mazda made to achieve the sportier handling in line with its corporate image. And it does handle very nicely. This is our first Mazda, so we're hoping it will be as reliable as the Hondas we've had. So far so good.

Favorite Features

All four rear seats fold down independently, making the cargo area quite versatile; handling; lots of standard features for the price; most of the benefits of a full-size minivan without the higher price and poor fuel economy; unique and sporty styling.

Suggested Improvements

A little lacking for places for the front passengers to put stuff -- the center console is small and has no lid, and there is no real storage on the dash other than the glove box.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Fun and useful all in one package!

Written by: 5For5 on 10/09/2008

Vehicle

2008 Mazda MAZDA5 Grand Touring 4dr Minivan (2.3L 4cyl 5A)

Review

We traded our Honda Pilot earlier this year for the Mazda5. The Pilot is a great car, but it's not the best if you're short (5'2") like me for getting children, groceries, and strollers in and out. The 5 is awesome! It has tons of room for a wagon or my bike plus room for the children. They can open the doors and get in themselves which is a blessing. And it's so much fun to drive. It's the best part of going to work. :) I haven't enjoyed a car this much since I had my beloved old Escort.

Favorite Features

They styling is like minivan eye candy. Love the extra space in the middle captain's chairs. Fantastic turning radius. I've tracked my MPG and it's 25.5. My husband gets 23 though with the zoom zoom. :) The steering wheel controls are great, as well as the moonroof. The Sirius and CD are fantastic.

Suggested Improvements

Upgrade the plastic a bit on the inside. Tinted windows would be really nice. Add the jump seat for a 7th passenger like the Japanese version (Premacy). Toss some of the fun Premacy colors over here too, like the dark purple and fire engine red. :)

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Re-evaluation

Written by: jc on 10/04/2008

Vehicle

2008 Mazda MAZDA5 Grand Touring 4dr Minivan (2.3L 4cyl 5A)

Review

I read a lot of reviews about this vehicle from different websites and after some test drives, we bought this vehicle. I like the features but I totally dislike the stiff leather seats and the stiff ride. The road noise, harshness and vibration are pronounced. We used to have an 05 Toyota Sienna and this is not even a mile close to the comfort of it. This vehicle does have its strengths too but riding comfort is not one of them. I tried the other trims later, the sport and the touring with fabric seats, for comparison and they ride way better than the GT with leather, but still not even close though to the Sienna that I used to have. If I could just turn back the clock...

Favorite Features

Bluetooth tech, adjustable headlamps, interior lay-out

Suggested Improvements

Improve handling and suspension since it has stiff ride, reduce road noise harshness and vibration

1 out 3 people found this review helpful

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A Godsend

Written by: mde83 on 09/25/2008

Vehicle

2008 Mazda MAZDA5 Touring 4dr Minivan (2.3L 4cyl 5A)

Review

Bought my Copper Red Mazda5 Touring in February. Traded a 2 door sports car. In early March I had a motorcycle accident and really messed up my foot. Have been on a walker ever since (not for much longer hopefully). Anyway, the 5 has been a Godsend. The sliding doors let me get in and out easily with my walker and all. And easily carried my wheelchair around and still had room to haul the groceries. Great utility+good looks! I've had no problems to date. My fuel economy is not great (21ish) but I still cannot think of another vehicle I would rather have. After I got mine, my cousin fell in love with it and bought one. And my father is going to pick one up this weekend

Favorite Features

Sliding doors!!! Styling - looks like nothing else - certainly not a boxy minivan. Interior design-storage. Decent power, nice handling for a hauler. Lots of standard features. Good value.

Suggested Improvements

Minor gripes - better quality interior plastics. Please get rid of the green display for the climate control/radio + replace with illuminescent. Option for bluetooth and/or nav without requiring leather. Greater rearward travel for front seats.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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ONLY 3 row US vehicle w/ manual tranny!

Written by: Dave on 09/23/2008

Vehicle

2008 Mazda MAZDA5 Sport 4dr Minivan (2.3L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Perfect for a small family. If you're worried it won't do for the family vacation, don't fear! With the cash you save in purchase and fuel over a minivan you can rent a minivan if ever you need to!

Favorite Features

Manual transmission, super easy to get baby seat kids i/o of row 2 and keep their older sibs in row 3. Handles great. Super turn radius. We rented a Renault Scenic in the UK and loved having three rows and a 6 speed manual transmission. This is the closest thing to it here.

Suggested Improvements

I'm 6' and while I'm plenty comfortable in this vehicle, my view of the instrumentation is blocked to a great degree by the steering wheel.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Excellent mileage!

Written by: bonboa on 09/19/2008

Vehicle

2008 Mazda MAZDA5 Sport 4dr Minivan (2.3L 4cyl 5A)

Review

I purchased this vehicle on a Monday and it was delivered to me on Wednesday September 10, 2008, and it was worth the extra wait. The silver is (in my opinion) the best color for this vehicle! I am a confirmed Honda man. I only purchase Honda products just because that is what I've always done. All I have to say is this, Honda better watch their "6". This is a wonderful car 30.5 mpg mixed cty/hwy! This car is better than a Honda. I've owned 5 so far and may dedicate all future purchases to Mazda.

Favorite Features

2008 Mazda 5 sport, sunlight silver, 5 speed auto, with customer preferred package. Favorite? relatively quiet, alloy wheels, and sportiness 30.5 mpg in mixed hwy/city? not even my 2003 Accord can do that!

Suggested Improvements

2 out 4 people found this review helpful

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