MPVs are never particularly pretty. This is a niche about function over form and the Mazda5's design's anonymity rather reflects that. It's certainly inoffensive but equally it is rather forgettable. Points of note are the large glass house offering excellent all-round visibility for driver and occupants alike (essential for a family car) and the two large sliding doors for access to the rear. You can't help feel that some rivals have missed a trick here as the access to the rear compartment in the Mazda is excellent - ideal for loading people or indeed large items into the back.
The number of occupants that can be seated and the load space itself can be configured via the oh-so-easy to arrange seats. One pull of a handle is enough to fold them flush to the floor in most cases and the array of permutations allowed by the arrangement is as varied as it is numerous. Some of the dashboard design and trim is a little bit of a let down compared to rivals from VW and Ford, but those in the same price bracket as the Mazda offer nothing that is definitively better.
Engine & Transmission:
Mazda's two-litre four-cylinder common-rail diesel is perfectly suited to the task in hand. Tuned for torque and drivability rather than outright power it makes ferrying around several occupants - or a reasonably sized load - a doddle. It pulls cleanly from low revs and the slick-shifting gearbox allows you to make the most of the engine's abilities. We did find the clutch a tad on the stiff side for a car of this type but that issue faded away with familiarity.
Our week of driving included the full array of likely duties for the 5 and the engine coped well with all that was thrown at it. It does become a little vocal and breathless when extended but driven as most potential buyers are more likely to it is well mannered, refined and economical, managing an average of 35mpg during its time with us.
Ride & Handling:
Our regular test routes found no chinks in the 5's armour in this category. Potholes and urban pockmarks were dealt with quietly and efficiently and B-road twisties were dispatched with similar capability. Admittedly we didn't load it to the gunnels at any point but given that cars such as these are designed to be used in such contexts with no significant degradation of performance then it's hard to imagine things going awry. Given the Mazda's remit in life, the fact it can be a little bit of a giggle on the right road is a bonus.
Equipment, Economy & Value for Money:
It's genuinely hard to fault the Mazda in this respect. OK, so the interior looks a little cheap next to more prestigious rivals but given the accommodation and versatility on offer it's easy to look beyond this and consider that at £16k it represents something of a bargain. The standard equipment levels are generous and the running costs very reasonable indeed. Mazda has managed to deliver a very good car at a keen price.
Overall:
Mazda's 5 is a very good car. As a family wagon its main rivals probably come in the form of the not too distantly related Ford C-Max and the model that arguably invented the niche, the Renault Scenic. Overall the Mazda5 offers more flexibility than either of those cars and its well thought out design and ergonomics make it a real stand out competitor. Factor in the very good value and it's easy to recommend the Mazda5 as being highly worthy of consideration.
