that looks like a completely different vehicle from the original Mazda5

Whatever crap gets put out is still just a POS Ford underneath. Can’t hide garbage. But I guess whatever keeps Ford afloat for another quarter right? When the hell is Ford going to get with the program? They really need to look at the hot products that are coming out of GM and try and follow the same rules. Build a car with excellent reliability, the best quality, the highest performance, best service and have knockout styling. Styling? Sh*t, they can’t even get that crap right let alone the important stuff.

TIll Ford learns to take notes from GM’s playbook, they will continue to get flushed down the toilet like their marketshare and Bob Lutz will be the one pulling the handle. Ford sucks

I’m surprised the Mazda5 has been as successful as it has. Most Americans don’t take to these sensible-sized vehicles, and yet I see these all over the place around here. Now that it has a modicum of style, I guess I’ll be seeing even more.

Um, I liked the new Mazda 6 much more compared to this. This is just missing something

Mazda is going for those that fall through the cracks of the “typical” car buyer. It’s not the way to be number one, but it seems to work. Still I wouldn’t buy even a mini-minivan like this.

A4 I friggin agree. lol

BEHOLD! the crowning jewel of 1487’s empire…..

http://a248.e.akamai.net/7/248/1229/v134/imageonthefly.autodatadirect.com/images/?IMG=CAB60CHV303A0101.jpg&WIDTH=425

Looks like a kia sedona!

Oh, man. I saw the headline and hoped they were bringing back the protege5. Whoops, oh well.

um yeah 1487, so how are those Relays and Montana SV6’s and Uplanders doing? you know the ones on the lot? yeah i think its bout time you GET YOUR HEAD OUTTA YOUR ASS! GM isnt a bad company but they are not the kings of the autoworld. come on now who and i mean who would take the MAZDA5 over any GM minivan offering? the only thing that comes close is the Toyota Matrix/Pontiac Vibe. oh, wait. since EVERY OTHER COMPANY SUCKS THEN WHY ARE YOU xxxxING AROUND WITH TOYOTA?

NO DIESEL ????

Stupid Ford again.

I’m still rollin at carrerajh’s jab at GM_Sales. I don’t understand how GM/Ford remained so clueless on minivans for a decade and a half. At least the old Astro/Aerostars had utility, and made good conversion and tow platforms. GM should still put sliding doors on at least one of their Lambdas and call it a minivan.

Get Real they offer diesels in Europe, but America isn’t particularly fond of diesel cars as yet, and the thought of driving a diesel minivan in America is unfathomable by most. This is a good car, by the way, but it has the minivan stigma about it, so noone who likes to drive is going to buy it unless their condom has burst, then it is the driver’s choice among minivans, along with the Ford S-Max

I never liked the Mazda5. It just looks bland. Why buy it when you could get the Mazda6 wagon?

I don’t know if I should be scared or happy about the new Mazda3 if this is the way the ‘6 and ‘5 are.

Boring - the old Mazda5 was better.

it looks the same, except that wicked strip of led brake lights down the back.

hoosier: There are 6 seats in the Mazda5. I was thisclose to buying one, but now I’m thinking I need a long-term car, and there’s not enough room in the third row as my kids grow up.
I found it perfectly sound, and really well put-together

Cookie: i’m almost certainly going to buy a Lambda BECAUSE IT’S NOT A MINIVAN!

Msi: M atrix/Vibe only seat 5.

MikeFX: This is the most sensible vehicle of the past few years. Honda should sell the Stream hear, and GM the Zafira.

Please include diesel in North america. i know it won’t be the hottest seller, but the more diesels there is around, the more people will accept them.

“MikeFX”, the styling change is insignificant … but glad to see that you think the modicum of style brought about by the insignificant change will turn its fortunes into greater fortunes. Do you think before you write?

“Hyperlite”, seems you need glasses … there is very little difference … “completely different vehicle is hyperbole.

“Commodore”, it’s a Mazda 5 (five), not 6 (six) … the only thing missing is any semblance of comprehension on your part.

“Blakkar”, the “typical” buyer purchases bland, uninspiring transportation … this is more attractive than any “minivan” out there and more spacious than any “wagon” out there.

“illwill”, riiiiight … a Sedona, an Odyssey, a Caravan … but sportier and more interesting to look at. You’re lost.

Impulsive: not as heavy, and designed with the idea that te driver might actually not like to be bored to death at the well

aw my post got deleted
suck my big hairy balls lln

Impulsive,

I think I may have worded my statement poorly, but you did understand. The “Typical buyer” is a generalization. MAZDA works to appeal to this who are not Typical.. Those who want something more than Bland and boring in there cars.

I have to admit that this is far from my favorite Mazda vehicle. I do understand why Mazda decided to give it a try in the U.S. It looks sporty enough considering what it is; a mini-minivan. It isn’t going to be the sexiest machine on the lot. Mazda has done a good job trying to apply its “Zoom, Zoom” design philosophy to the exterior design considering the type of vehicle this is. I have seen worse attempts at minivan styling; the 2008 Dodge Caravan/Chrysler Town & Country and any minivan ever manufactured by General Motors in the U.S. come to mind. I do believe the major flaw in this vehicle is the 2.3 liter 4 cylinder engine. This engine performs great in my Mazda3 sedan, but I think it would struggle a bit in a heavier vehicle like this one. I agree with the person who suggested a diesel engine. A hybrid powertrain or turbocharging might also be alternatives. Anyway, this vehicle is a new niche here in the U.S. and I believe Mazda needs to give it a chance to see if it will grow. I definitely don’t believe it has hurt Mazda’s image any by trying to sell it here.

^i dont think this vehicle is much heavier if at all than a mazda3, i recall it being quite sprightly for a mini-minivan.

^^ its about 500 pounds heavier, so while slower, certainly not underpowered for its target buyer, although more power is always better

Cire: those dustbusters were ugly as vomit, but durable

I’d like to see an MPS (aka Mazdaspeed) version…

As Mark “Big Hair” Fields has stated Ford won’t sell diesels in NA (reference http://www.leftlanenews.com/ford-wont-sell-diesel-cars-in-america.html), one may assume that also tranlates into Mazda following suit.

I’ve always liked the Mazda5, it reminds me of the early Nissan Axxess and Honda Odyssey/Isuzu Oasis models that blended plenty of passenger and cargo space with a car-like drive. The styling changes are subtle, but should help to distance the 5 from the more utilitarian-looking Kia Rondo — but of course, a Mazdaspeed version would be even better! And I love the LED taillights!

Hmmm—I’m not sure I’d call this a restyle. Either I don’t really know what the old Mazda5 looked like, or this is a “mild update” at best.

Whichever you call it though, I’m not too fond of it—it’s just too “spacey” or too Japanese for me. I do, however, acknowledge its utility and its appeal to some folks.

why wouldnt you call it a restyle, i would
not a redesign, but certainly a restyle

Why would someone buy this when they could buy a CX-9 or a real crossover made by a full Japanese company (this should be fun)

Hum. Performance tips for a minivan… That’s a new one guys. It’s a soccer mom mobile. Not a sports car. If it’s front wheel drive, performance probably shouldn’t even enter the picture. It won’t take any time at all to wear the CV joints out if it’s making usable power. Plus, it’s a minivan.

Autonutt: I would’ve bought an Oddessey or Oasis, but I swore I’d never buy another honda. It was great-looking. In retrospect, I don’t see many on te road now, so i guess my instinct to go mazda was correct.
Rondo has one more seat, but just about no cargo space with the third row occupied

1115: If for some reason i don’t buy a lambda, it’ll ber a CX-9

XJ” Mazda5 is a microvan, or a “Compact mpv” in Euro terms.

Why would someone respond to a monkey, 1115? That’s the real question.

Impulsive hits again with the original insult You are a baboon since we are going there
JJT I dont know why Im talking to you but you seem like less of an ass next to Impulsive
CX-9 is fully Japanese now but this 5 is useless I hate that when all the seat are up in these thing they have no cargo room Same thing with that fat ass Pacifica. Something has to be done about these faux third rows

1115: That’s why I had to dump teh five from consideration. It’s OK, if you have babies for the third row: BY THE TIME THEY HIT 5 OR 6, YOU’LL NEED ANOTHER CAR

1115, you’re well below primates in evolution if you believe one can compare a CX-9 to a 5. Compare the specs, monkey, and you’ll CLEARLY see why. What a moron. I can’t believe you post believing any of it. You’re just another GM_SALES in Japanese guise. Give up on comebacks, primate …. you’re out of your league.

The funny part is they have the MPV overseas They should bring it back It could give the Chryslers a run for their money

Note to Mazda: Stop putting ugly snow-flake rims on your cars!!! The good old five-spoke stlyes are just fine.

1115: MPV is the second-best minivan out there

no I believe that the Sienna or the odyessy are the best and that can be backed up

Backed up to the tow truck. I really liked the way the oddessy/oasis looked, but i’d only just recently owned a honda, so they were out of the question.
The Sienna is one of those products that almost makes me abandon my pledge to never buy another toyota. But, the Chrysler triplets (Twins now, I guess) are the best there is for those unfortunate souls who need minivans.

MORE INTERESTING….GOOD.