2008 Mazda MAZDA5 User Reviews

Pros

none

Cons

ugly. claustrophobic. No power

Purchased As Not Purchased

I looked at the Madza 5 twice. I took it on the freeway to test it. The ride was very bumpy. I floored the pedal and the engine transmission hesitated. It excellerated very slowly. The engine sounded stressed out. The engine is very much underpowered for the car. Looking close, the exterior and interior look mismatched. the seats are hard as a rock. I bought another car....read morehide

Pros

Standard fuel economy, Stereo, Manual transmission

Cons

noise, reverse

This is a great car has good handling pretty comfortable, and it comes with a stick shift so it feels sort of like a sports car

Pros

HID headlights, lots of stuff for the money

Cons

Obviously not designed for Americans, too small for anyone over 5.5

This car is cure and has nice low low grunt for getting off the line. It handles well and is over all a nice car for the money. The problem is, it made for japanese. My family is all 1-2 inches about the average American and slim, se felt like we were in a little clown car that got shrunk in the wash. For example, even my 10-13 year old girls said that the arm rest were too small to ret their arm on. My knees (at 6.1)barely fit around the steering column. And no, we are not coming from a big van or SUV but a Ford Focus Wagon which felt roomy by comparison and gets 10 MPG better!...read morehide

Pros

best looking "minivan" out there, good mpg for transporting 6 people, versatility

Cons

If seats could be slightly wider, no other complaints yet

Due to rising gas $, we traded in the beloved minivan for a 2006 Chevy Aveo that had an auto trans but no other power options. Sad to have lost the room and creature comforts of the minivan, and not impressed with the Aveo's avg 26 city, 36hwy mpg, we decided we should look for something else. Most importantly, if we wanted to go on a trip with the our two boys' grandparents, we now had to take separate vehicles, adding gas costs. I then "discovered" the Mazda5 and the Kia Rondo...new "mini-minivans" that could seat 6 and 7 people and get reasonably good fuel economy. It was exactly the kind of vehicle we needed! Researching and test driving both, I highly recommend both the Mazda and Kia. Both have great versatility and bang for the buck. When it came down to it, I preferred the look of the Mazda5 over the Kia, and it is the sole reason i chose it over the Rondo. With only 200 miles on the odo, i can't comment on mpg, but I'm very confident with the 4 cyl. coupled to a 5-spd auto, it will get 32mpg hwy. (if not more). I'm 5'7" 250 lbs, and fit nicely in the seats, but they feel a little snug across my shoulders and mid-back. My dad is 6'2" 300 lbs., and fit fairly comfortably in the front pass. seat. With mom and my wife in the middle, and my 10 yr. old and 6 yr. old in the 3rd row, we can all go on trips again....economically. Also, adults of my stature, but perhaps lighter, would fit comfortably in the 3rd row with minor seat adjustments. A great vehicle overall....read morehide

Pros

Good fuel economy, lots of room, sliding doors.

Cons

alittle wider

I am in love with this car!! I didn't like the style at first. My husband was the one to change my mind. I wanted a car with lots of room and good on gas. We are a small family and this car is perfect!!! The only down fall is our stroller doesn't fit properly. It has to go on an angle. Your fine if you stroller folds over. Other than that, my 2 and half year old loves the car!! I think it's because he has his own seat!! Also, the automatic car starter by Mazda is AWESOME!! We brought a 2008 instead of a 2009 because there is no difference. The pick up is nice also....read morehide

Pros

We own 1 car and this vehicle does a lot things a larger car will do

Cons

wiper controls a bit confusing

Would buy this car again. Had Jeep Liberty before this and Mazda5 carries more cargo and gets 10 more miles to the gallon. Of course I don't have 4 wheel drive anymore but I used it 4 times in 3 years. This car works great if you only have 1 vehicle. Hauls a lot more than you think and works great for all our grandkids....read morehide

Pros

Good fuel economy, interior nice for the price, sliding doors! responsive handling, fun to drive

Cons

Some road noise, wish I had better speakers

We bought this car to replace our '96 Explorer and we are thrilled with it. It is so responsive and nimble, I feel quite confident on the road even when surrounded by big clanking SUVs. Definitely has the Mazda feel going around curves, really hugs the road.

I cannot say enough about the sliding doors, they are so great when getting my one-year-old boy in and out. My husband would not buy a minivan because he thinks they are ugly but he said yes to this car! And you'll spend less on gas with a Mazda5 anyway.

This is a great car for a young family. There is plenty of cargo space in the back when 3rd row is down. (3rd row may be split wiht one side up, one down.) The 3rd row is not suitable for adults for any long trips but will do for occasional short rides and is fine for kids. I just love having the versatility.

This has been previously billed as a "niche" vehicle but as people start looking for SUV alternatives, we'll start to see a lot more of these on the road. Keep up the good work, Mazda....read morehide

Pros

Versatile, fun, sporty, great fuel economy, sliding doors

Cons

Steep rake on hood results in stone chips....

I packed four adult males in this NANO-van it for a golf trip. No complaints from the backseat - except for the lost golf match! Mileage with cruise at 70 mph is an astounding 32 mpg highway. Get 23 in pure city and 28 mixed. I love this car so much the wife suggested we buy another Mazda, this one is a CX7, which we love just as much. Mazda definitely has their stuff together.

The Mazda 5 may be the best car available for the $$ versus the versatility, value, function and performance. Mine is as quiet as a church mouse. It goes great in the snow too!...read morehide

Pros

economical, 6 seats, cargo space, ride is just right, peppy, auto temp is great.

Cons

Front seat lumbar adjustment are quirky.

Came from MPV, Mazda5 is smaller but still as useful as the MPV. 6 seats at this compact size, can't beat that. I love to drive fast... umm, responsible fast and I know it is not a sports car but I love sports cars and surprisingly this mazda can handle some spirited driving. Mine is the 5 speed auto and I like the auto manual layout, just like in BMW's. + down - up. You should look for a youtube link. A head to head race of Mini Vans and the Mazda blew everyone away. I am torn with having a real sports car and the usefullness of a car like this but now a days practicality is the name of the game and this one wins it....read morehide

Pros

Roomy enough to forget it's not a minivan

Cons

air!

We traded a Saturn Vue in to get more room for our growing family.

Teens and a little guy were getting too big to squish in to our Vue for annual family road trips. Honestly, my choice was a bit smaller Mazda- the RX 8 has been a favorite of mine since it was introduced all those years ago! but, still too many to fit into the dream car. RX8's big sister, the 5, is an excellent choice...

We drive to Minnesota every year.
This year, we were a little nervous about our trip. New car and the five of us drove for SIX WEEKS and more than 8,000 miles, around the Untied States (Florida West to Cali, North to Oregon, east to Minnesota and Chicago before heading south through Virginia to get home again). We drove around Yellowstone, Craters of the Moon and Mount Rushmore. Where ever we went, we were pleased with the performance of our 7 month old Mazda.

It's safe to say we know every inch of this vehicle. We have driven it in every element and path. No complaints about ride quality, nor can we complain about comfort.

PROS: This car handles magnificently! My Teens think this is a CON because the brakes work too well, the gas is too easy and the steering works too easily.
heh heh heh silly kids! That's why I bought it! I love the responsive steering and ability to as another reviewer said, "Turn on a dime" Zoom Zoom quickly becomes Yee Haw! as I gently, but swiftly accelerate. Stops are equally swift, but no whiplash!
Seats are very comfy, we packed the sixth (3rd row) seat with a cooler and snacks, the 15 year old boy sat next to that of course and the 18 year old girl and our 6 year old boy shared the 2nd row happily enjoying the fold out snack tray and stow away spaces inside seats. We even put seat back organizers in and no one complained of being cramped.
There were even times we flattened out the seats behind the driver and let him stretch out while I drove a bit. **Not legal in all states, and not for children** but very comfy ( I even tried it). Sound system was great, and we love the faders. Front and Rear outlets were handy and we used a splitter to add functionality.
The tires are filled with Nitrogen and handled beautifully ($79 with a 3 year all inclusive warranty on tires- even road hazards)

CONS- only two: The air conditioning doesn't reach the 2nd and 3rd rows unless specifically aimed and at highest blow range (which freezes us out in the front seat). Road noise is a bit annoying, but not much worse than any other car I have driven. The radio doesn't need to be too loud to be heard over it.

It has been almost a year since I traded a beloved Vue for the Mazda 5. I haven't regretted it yet. In fact, I still get a little giddy when I approach my black beauty! I look forward to buying one for my daughter... although she is looking at the Mazda3......read morehide