Comments on: Review: 2009 Mazda Mazda5 Grand Touring

By: jackjimturkey

jackjimturkey — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 22:57:58 +0000

This is a microvan. Seems like ages ago I almost bought one.
It is a neat little fuel-efficient ride.

Only the Rondo is really in the same class, and the Mazda5 is much better.

I had an MPV. Very solid ride.

bigtime: yopou (that’s a shout-pout gfoor ktulu) clicked expecting Miata, because that’s now called the MX-5. Bad idea.

By: kitko

kitko — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 12:45:15 +0000

This is by far the best driver’s minivan on the market now, the only thing I don’t understand is why Mazda doesn’t offer TCS and DSC (that’s traction and stability control in Zoom-Zoom speak) with this model. It shares the chassis and engine with a Mazda3, but, more importantly, TCS and DSC are standard on ALL Mazda5 trims in Europe. Even the base model with a 1.8 liter engine has them both. This is a family car and I think the omission of safety features is inexusable. And I’m a life-long Mazda fan.

By: Jordan

Jordan — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 06:06:12 +0000

“grand touring” is a mazda trim level. the 3, 5, 6, mx-5, and rx-8 all have “grand touring” trim levels.

By: bigp

bigp — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 02:36:49 +0000

nice just what we need

By: maxcar

maxcar — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 01:54:52 +0000

it’spretty nice for a minivan. what’s up with the goofy photography lighting.

By: bigtime

bigtime — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 22:08:24 +0000

I actually clicked on this thinking it was a review of the ‘09 miata grand touring for some reason. The miata is a vehicle to get excited over. Then I see its a mini-minivan. Who decided to slap “grand touring” on this and why does he still have a job?

“Sport Activity Vehicle” eyyyy? Is that the same as “small minivan”, cuz thats what this is. A small minivan that looks like the persons teenager put some of those stupid aftermarket clear tail lights on so the parents can look cool driving it.

p.s. – buick will be happy to know the guy above is cross shopping the 5 with their invicta. Who would have guessed that was going to happen?!

By: ktulu

ktulu — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 22:07:06 +0000

very nicce

it has an auto w/ manual geer selectrioan.
I want a dioesel V8 minivan.

Mazdas R gr8 cars.
Odyssey & Sienna R bigger & need more HP. Tis is a good car 4 families w/ young children and is not 2 bad for solo driving.

the Kia Rondo isa funny looking. This is better.
where’s the Mazda8?

Y duz LLn call it da “mazda mazda5?” as opposed 2 the byuick Maszda5/

By: El Flaco

El Flaco — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 21:33:41 +0000

I’ve been doing some serious research on the Mazda 5 for the past couple of weeks and they have great reviews overall, with the one exception being power. Since the next Mazda 3’s engine is getting a bump to a 2.5 I’m hoping that the same will happen to the 5, by the 2010 model year. I’ll be willing to bite once it gets the 2.5, that is unless the Buick Invicta is too sweet to pass by. Can you guys get confirmation that the 2010 model will get the 2.5?

By: Andrew

Andrew — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 19:44:11 +0000

beastusmongus, the Mazda is the only minivan on sale in the US with a stick. It’s so hard to really consider it a minivan – it’s more like a tall wagon (like the Kia Rondo) with sliding doors.

Mazda has always gone a unique route with its people movers… the MPV started life as an almost-SUV and wound up as a small thing that was more van-like. The 5 is really none of those, but it does more minivan things than car things or wagon things, so we call it a minivan.

By: beatusmongous

beatusmongous — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 19:43:43 +0000

Brass, I think that has to do with a couple of things. #1 is probably because the 5 is so much smaller than an Odyssey or a Sienna. #2 is that, even with 153 hp, the 5 still has 100 less hp than the Odyssey (255), and the Sienna I believe is right up there now. Performance isn’t a big reason to buy a minivan, but being able to tow and haul everything as well as get up on the freeway easily is a major plus.

However, I’m definitely looking at the 5 as a replacement for my Quest when it comes time. I really like the 5.

By: brassmonkey

brassmonkey — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 18:49:46 +0000

Mazdas are great cars. I almost never see the 5 on the road. Mostly Odysseys and Siennas.

By: beatusmongous

beatusmongous — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 18:37:22 +0000

Wow, at least someone offers a minivan with a stick. Last time I drove a minivan with a stick it was an ‘89 Voyager. Any other minivans that have manual transmissions?

By: Andrew

Andrew — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 18:14:39 +0000

I don’t know about 2009s, but in 2008, the 5-speed manual was only offered on the base model. Too bad!

By: melias

melias — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 17:52:37 +0000

JohnnyC,

No, didn’t get a chance at the stick, but wish I did. But you’re right, it must be more fun.

By: johnnycanuck

johnnycanuck — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 16:51:13 +0000

The very first Chrysler ‘Magic wagons’ had many of the same qualities. It’s too bad they’ve morphed into their current androgynous state.

MElias: just curious if you had a chance to sample the 5 spd manual as well. If the auto is that much fun, the stick should be even better.