Vehicle Reviews

The 2012 Mazda MAZDA5 is a six-passenger minivan that offers comfort, flexibility and convenience in its meticulously designed cabin. What's new with the 2012 edition is that the Mazda5 has been completely redesigned and has been added with additional power. It is a front-wheel drive vehicle that comes in three trim levels - Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring.

The MAZDA5 is a very well equipped Mazda model. It is essentially a three-row, six-passenger compact minivan available in three trim levels: Sport, Touring and Grand Touring. The base Sport comes standard with 16-inch alloy wheels, full power accessories, keyless entry, cruise control, automatic climate control (with rear vents and fan controls), a height-adjustable driver seat, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel and a six-speaker sound system with a CD player and an auxiliary audio jack. The 5 Touring adds 17-inch alloy wheels, foglights, a rear spoiler, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a trip computer and Bluetooth. For the Touring, the optional Moonroof & Audio package adds a sunroof, satellite radio and a six-CD changer. This package is standard on the 5 Grand Touring, which also gets automatic xenon headlights, heated mirrors, automatic wipers, driver lumbar adjustment, heated front seats and leather upholstery. There are a number of dealer-installed extras that will be available later in the model year, including remote ignition, an iPod interface, a Garmin portable navigation system and a DVD entertainment system.

A 2.5-liter four-cylinder that produces 157 horsepower and 163 pound-feet of torque, powers the 2012 Mazda Mazda5. A six-speed manual is standard on the Sport, while a five-speed automatic is optional on the Sport and standard on everything else. With either transmission, fuel economy is estimated at 21 mpg city/28 highway.

The 2012 Mazda Mazda 5 comes with standard stability and traction control, four-wheel antilock disc brakes with brake assist, front side airbags and side curtain airbags.