2006 Mazda Mazda5 consumer reviews

I got this car used a couple years ago, cuz I was looking for something that could carry kids and stuff flexibly in a manual trans. It feels more like a mini-van than a car when driving and has been only somewhat reliable. Brakes and suspension are not durable. Engine sometimes hesitates or feels uneven. Some of the plastic bits inside the car around the bottom of the seats, etc, have broken easily with children's abuse. But it is smooth on the highway and fairly comfortable for a tall guy. Still I wouldn't recommend it highly. It has been a disappointment, overall.

This may look small but it is HUGE! and I got it for a HUGE discount!I would give it a HUGE recommendation! By and don't keep thinking about HUGE!

Bought used last January. Love the mileage and handling. 3rd row is ok for once in awhile small passengers. Ride is rough, but great value for the dollar. Every time I hit a bump I remember that I got a great deal on this car. Tried the Rondo, but it felt cheaper...but the ride might have been better.

I just bought a Mazda 5 used. My old minivan blew up and I needed a replacement. I really wanted another minivan, but did not have the budget available for a late model traditional m-v. Enter the Mazda 5! With 2 young kids, an active lifestyle for all and a 20 mile congested commute this car is an all-in-wonder machine. The ride is comfortable for four, and although occasional passengers 5 & 6 don't get the same cushy seating, the rear seats are still a bit roomier than the average 2 door compact car. Since I'm a guy I really appreciate having a more "car-like" vehicle that still works for my family and carries cargo. The low-profile driver's seat, excellent snappy handling and smaller vehicle size make driving a little more sporting than a minivan or wagon.

Fun to drive with great handling, but seats not comfortable and not adequate space for average size driver. We had some severe problems with the exhaust system, but the MAZDA dealer did a good job of finding and fixing the problems.

Expert that reviewed Mazda 5 was not too pleased with it, since it was smaller than most minivans on the market today and was not as powerful. I would say he totally missed the point of this car. For about $18K you get a vehicle that can transport 6 people, inside is similar in size to other ?minivans?, gets 23 mpg in the city and drives and feels like a car. Also it is the only minivan in US with a manual transmission. Size of Mazda 5 is its positive not negative side. As far as the performance, you just need to get manual rather than auto transmission. (By the way, I can?t understand why would you buy this car with auto transmission. If that is what you require look towards Toyota or Honda, with bigger engines they are more appropriate for auto). I am glad that Mazda brought this car to US, it fits exact spot it was designed to fill. If you like manual transmission and need a micro-van that fills like a car buy it.

Weekends are special for me. Yes, I get to enjoy my family time, but it is the time when I get to drive my wife's 2006 Mazda5. If you haven't seen the Mazda5, imagine a mini-van, but about 25% smaller. This car is fabulous. I have two young children and this versatile car does well with all of the stuff and car seats. And, with the third row, it is perfect for the occasional friend, cousin or grandparent. The gas mileage has been great and the car has been perfect since the first day. My wife has always been ambivalent toward cars until I bought her the Mazda5. This car is tons of fun to drive. The handling is very tight and predictable. Even with a full load of people in the car, the accelleration is very good. The automatic transmission is smooth and you can use the manual override for even better perfomance. While there is nothing wrong with my average 4-door sedan, the Mazda is so much fun to drive in spite of the fact that it screams out "Soccer Mom!" For anyone that loves to drive but has young children in their lives, I highly recommend that you drive the Mazda5.

OK, right up front, after 6 months, this is a great car. It was purchased for my wife, who drives it most of the time. I like the features, 4 year warranty, handling, yada, yada, yada. Mostly, I like that it helped protect my wife when a car turned in front of her. She hit him at @35 MPH. The safety system worked, and other than a bruised knee, and some whiplash, she is fine. But my appreciation of Mazda craftsmanship, and built-in safety features has grown considerably. We both liked most everything about this car. And there are plenty of reviews to show the reader how nice it is. But a cars ability to protect it's passengers is rarely thought of, or appreciated. We will buy from Mazda again. It did take almost 7 weeks to repair. But we have the Mazda5 back, and would not know it had been in an accident. Thanks to Mazda for a quality product.

Should of bought it earlier. Did alot of research on different vehicles but kept coming back to Mazda5. Couldnt wait unti I finally made my mind up in purchasing the Mazda5. My first Japanese vehicle ever.

We bought our 5 because both wife and I enjoy manual transmission driving, but need 3 seat row vehicle. I think the 5 may be the only such vehicle in US (?). It is quite a nice setup. Smooth and light clutch, easy and relatively precise shifter. The manual version of the Mazda5 significantly improves upon the weak performance complaints that have been associated with the automatic. My standard of reference for vehicle performance is the WA state stretch of I-90 going west from the Columbia River at Vantage, a ~10 mile long steady climb of 2,000 ft elevation gain (5% grade). With a full load of 5 people, luggage and a cargo box, and a/c on, our 5 was able to climb this grade at a steady 80mph in 5th gear. It would have been able to attain higher speed revving high in 4th gear. Our gas mileage with this load, on the 700 mile trip with average speeds 75-80 mph, was 24.5 mpg. Our overall mileage for five months ownership, city and suburban driving mostly, is 23 mpg and slowly improving.