chicagotribune.com's view

As a kid, we remember the opening to each episode of “Superman” on TV when the voices in the crowd would holler:

“It’s a bird!” “It’s a plane!” “No, it’s Superman!”

With age comes wisdom and the realization that anyone who couldn’t tell the difference between a bird or plane and a grown man in blue tights flying overhead had to be a real mope.

But we digress.

Have to admit to being similarly puzzled as to what it was when the Mazda5 arrived for testing — though the brain still has enough matter left to rule out it being a guy in tights.

Mazda confused some folks by changing its nomenclature for 2006.

The vehicle long known as the Miata, is now simply the MX5, its original name. And the Mazda5 designation goes to the vehicle that arrived for testing, a machine that looks a bit like a van with its sloping nose and a bit like a crossover with its tall roof line.

Stumped, we called Mazda spokesman Jeremy Barnes and asked: “Is it a van or a crossover?”

To which he replied, “Yes.”

Just don’t call it a minivan, he said.

“It’s convenient to call it a minivan because of those sliding doors. But the U.S. is the only market in the world in which vans carry a negative stigma as “soccer mom” vehicles, so we don’t want it known as a minivan here,” Barnes said.

The reason for the confusion is that the 5 looks like the rash of new vehicles on the road dubbed crossovers–part van, part sedan, part sport-utility.

But the rear doors do slide open and do reveal three rows of seats to hold six people like they would in a van or an SUV.

“There’s no other vehicle like it,” Barnes said.

True.

The Mazda5 is new for the 2006 model year. Though Mazda insists it isn’t a minivan, the MPV minivan will depart after this model run now that Mazda5 is here. A new MPV will be built in Japan, but it won’t be sold in the U.S.

The compact Mazda5 is offered in only front-wheel-drive but will be joined by the larger CX-7, a front-/all-wheel-drive midsize crossover — this spring as a 2007 model. CX-7 will hold only five passengers in two rows of seats. Barnes said no decision has been made whether the 5 would offer AWD.

The 5 is derived from the compact Mazda3 and shares a platform with the Volvo S40 sedan and V40 wagon and the European version Ford Focus as part of Ford Motor Co.’s strategy to cut development costs. Ford owns Volvo and a controlling interest in Mazda.

While a tad weird in appearance, the Mazda5 has some neat features, such as those sliding doors that make for far easier entry and exit in a congested parking lot than any swing-out door. But to keep prices down, the doors are manually operated, not power.

Second-row seat backs tilt and the bottoms slide forward to create a small access way to the third row. You don’t really need a wide aisle because only kids can sit in the third row comfortably. Not enough leg or knee room for adults.

Second-row seats slide back to give occupants more legroom. And each of the two second-row seats comes with a fold-down armrest for traveling comfort.

But the neatest thing about the seats is that if you pull a small strap along the bottom, the cushion flips forward to expose a large compartment to carry/hide a host of items — toys for the kids or a laptop for the kids or adults.

The compartment under the seat on the right also holds a pull-out/fold-down tray with cupholders that swings into position between the second-row seats.

There’s even a stowage net under the tray to hold toys or empty cans and bags until they can be disposed of.

Look for such under-seat compartments to start appearing in more vehicles soon.

The 5 is a hatchback. The light plastic lid lifts high, but give it a second push and it opens even higher to make it easier for tall folks to load or unload cargo. Like the sliding doors, the lid is manual only.

When the third seat is in use, there’s not room behind it to hold much more than a small duffel bag or a couple golf clubs–just clubs, not the entire bag.

If more cargo room is needed and the third row is empty, pull the cord in either or both seat backs and they fold flat for ample space to carry luggage or groceries or golf bags.

All seats, except the third row, are well cushioned and cozy, though driver and passenger seats are just a tad narrow, and the stiff side bolsters feel like holsters attached to your ribs.

The 5 packs the same 2.3-liter 4-cylinder engine as the Mazda3, though with different exhaust plumbing so it puts out 157-horsepower rather than 160.

It shows some energy getting away from the light, but there’s a little lag between pressing the pedal and the engine springing to life. The only way to smoke the tires in this machine is to douse them in gasoline and strike a match. But, with sliding side doors, this isn’t a vehicle you’ll see on too many racetracks.

The attraction of the 2.3-liter is the 21 m.p.g. city/26 m.p.g. highway rating when teamed with the optional ($900) 4-speed automatic with manual mode shifting. A 5-speed manual is standard. Mileage increases to 22/27 then.

Ride is fairly smooth and bounce and noise free. The light-effort steering allows you to pilot the vehicle into or out of parking spaces at the touch of a fingertip. However, we’d prefer a little more steering effort. The steering is so light you tend to make wider swings into parking spaces or into and out of turns.

We’d expect more precise reaction to steering input if turbocharged or supercharged with air scoops carved into the hood.

Mazda forecasts buyers will typically be young marrieds on a budget with one or two kids and looking for inexpensive transportation and ample cargo capacity.

Mazda5 starts at $17,435. Standard equipment includes the typical power amenities from power windows and door locks to power mirrors (but manual seats to keep the price down); automatic climate control; AM/FM radio with clock and steering-wheel controls; 17-inch, all-season, radial tires; side-curtain air bags for all three rows; four-wheel anti-lock brakes, tilt and telescoping steering wheel; and rear window washer/wiper/defogger among the major items.

Only options are a $1,515 touring package with power moonroof, CD changer and decorative lower body side skirts; automatic transmission at $900; and a navigation system that pops out of the dash top at $2,000. Money is better spent on gas than an electronic gadget.

The Mazda5 is sold in Japan and Europe and wasn’t destined for the U.S. until product planners said: What the heck? Mazda says the gamble will pay off as it will easily meet original estimates of 12,000 to 14,000 annual sales in the U.S.

– – –

2006 Mazda5

Price as tested: $21,850*

Wheelbase: 108.3 inches

Length: 181.5 inches

Engine: 2.3-liter, 157-h.p. 4-cylinder

Transmission: 4-speed automatic

CITY: 21 m.p.g.

HWY: 26 m.p.g.

THE STICKER

Base price: $17,435

$2,000 Navigation system

$1,515 Touring Package with color-keyed mirrors, lower body skirts, CD changer and power moonroof

$900 Automatic transmission

*Add $560 for freight

PLUSES

– A sporty van, wagon, sedan, whatever you want it to be.

– Van-style sliding rear doors.

– Three rows of seats to hold six people.

– Lots of standard equipment, from climate control to side-curtain air bags.

– Unexpected amenities, such as storage compartments under the second-row seats.

MINUSES

– Figuring out what it is.

– Fitting in the third-row seat.

– Cargo capacity with third-row seat in use.

———-

Read Jim Mateja Sunday in Transportation and Wednesday and Friday in Business. Hear him on WBBM Newsradio 780 at 6:22 p.m. Wednesdays and 11:22 a.m. Sundays.

jmateja@tribune.com