2008 Mazda Mazda5 Review

What the reviewers like:
The 2008 Mazda Mazda5 is among the smallest and lightest minivans on the market, and reviewers point out that its small size makes it more maneuverable than other minivans, and far more practical when parking space is limited. Some experts like the fact that it has an available manual transmission, and also cite its low price and good fuel economy relative to other minivans.

What the reviewers don't like:
Most reviewers say the Mazda Mazda5’s acceleration is feeble, particularly when carrying a full load of passengers and gear, and its rear seats are described as too cramped for most adults. Also, traction and stability control are not available options. Crash-test results are largely unavailable for this minivan, making it difficult to ascertain how well the Mazda5 would protect passengers in an accident.

2008 Mazda Mazda5 review highlights

Reviewers say the 2008 Mazda Mazda5 is much different in concept than the Honda Odyssey (*est. $25,860 to $40,610) and Toyota Sienna (*est. $24,340 to $37,665) minivans. The Mazda5 is the smallest and lightest of minivans (it seats six), and is intended to target a different audience than other models. The Mazda5 is roughly two feet shorter and 1,000 pounds lighter than the Honda Odyssey, and has a smaller footprint than even the Mazda6 sedan. But it still has the sliding rear doors and seating configuration typical of a minivan, and reviews say the Mazda5 makes sense for those who want the cargo flexibility of a minivan in a more compact body size.

The Mazda Mazda5 is hard to classify. It's a small minivan that can also be identified as a wagon. A detailed review at Edmunds.com puts the Mazda5 in the small minivan class, while Consumer Reports calls it a station wagon. The Mazda5 sits lower to the ground like a station wagon, yet it still has the rear sliding door typical of minivans. The Madza5 has seating for six. We found additional reviews at Cars.com and ConsumerGuide.com. CarCritic.com offers a “Ruthless Review” of the 2008 Mazda5, which covers additional areas like predicted reliability and expected depreciation.

Also see full report: Minivans

*In order of credibility (see our Ratings Criteria).

1. Edmunds.com
2008 Mazda Mazda5 Review
Editors of Edmunds.com

Edmunds.com doesn't test the Mazda5 head-to-head with its competitors, but editors here do consider the Mazda5 to be a real minivan in spite of its small size, and compare it to the current crop of minivans in an informal but useful way. While the Mazda5 is hard to quantify, it's a viable option for those who want the convenience and versatility of sliding rear doors and second-row captain’s chairs in a more compact, athletic vehicle.

2. Consumer Reports
>> Details/Subscribe
2008 Mazda Mazda5 Review
Editors of Consumer Reports

Consumer Reports classifies the Mazda5 as a wagon rather than a true minivan. Editors last road-tested the Mazda5 in 2006, rating it for performance, fuel economy, value and other factors. Also included is a chart listing historical reliability and owner satisfaction, but the Mazda5 hasn't accrued much data due to its fairly recent introduction to the market.

3. Cars.com
2008 Mazda Mazda5 Review
Editors of Cars.com
July 20, 2007

Editors at Cars.com offer an overview of the Mazda5 that’s heavily focused on features rather than performance. Still, readers can get a fix on how the Mazda5 stacks up against other minivans with Cars.com’s notes on the Mazda5’s advantages, disadvantages and new or noteworthy features.

4. CarCritic.com
>> Details/Subscribe
2008 Mazda Mazda5 Review
Don Vorderman

Rather than going into detail about performance and features, CarCritic.com's Don Vorderman looks at a vehicle's history and reputation among owners to come up with a quick assessment. Vorderman states that the 2008 Mazda5 is a nice compact minivan with an underpowered engine.

5. Consumer Guide.com
2008 Mazda Mazda5 Review
Editors of ConsumerGuide.com

Consumer Guide isn't the best source if you prefer narrative reviews, mainly because it breaks down its tests and ratings into somewhat hard-to-read charts and numerical scores and compares models to the market segment as a whole, rather than other individual models. However, this is one of the best places to find body style, options and engine information, along with pricing. Several models are selected each model year as "Recommended" or a "Best Buy”; the 2008 Mazda5 receives the “Recommended” stamp.

6. Automotive.com
2007 Mazda Mazda5 Review
Tom Lankard

This detailed review is older, but still pertinent to the 2008 model, owing to the fact that the Mazda5 hasn’t seen any major revisions to its design. Author Tom Lankard discusses features more than performance, and compares the Mazda5 to the competition in only an offhand way. Though he seems a bit uncertain about this minivan's target audience, Lankard says the Mazda5 offers a lot of advantages over traditional minivans. This review is a bit more critical and balanced than some other offerings from the same site.

Also see full report: Minivans