- minivan 44,888
- 13,763 high price
- Appleton, WI
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- autoshopper.com
2012 mazda mazda5 review this car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale. All-new, redesigned, new engines, low price. introductionthe 2012 mazda 5 is an all-new model. For comparison purposes, mazda uses the honda cr-v and the toyota rav4, which are not true minivans, since they don't use sliding doors as the mazda 5 does, and are generally $2400-$2800 more expensive. using the patented mazda upside-down pentagon grille up front and the nagare or flowing design up over the front fenders and down the sides, the 2012 mazda 5 has been made to look much, much bolder and sportier than its predecessor, without the slab-sided approach usually reserved for minivan bodies. The body has a remarkably low coefficient of drag for a minivan, 0. 30, which helps with wind noise. the new grille, hood, fenders, lamps, bumper and air intakes up front complement new body-colored door handles and mirrors, new taillamps, a mechanically operated liftgate, and new 16- and 17-inch wheels. All the seats have been redesigned to offer more long-trip comfort and durability. but this is an economy minivan with a starting price under $20,000, so there is no blind-spot warning system, adaptive cruise control, or any of the other higher-priced safety gear. Mazda 5 sport comes with a 6-speed manual transmission, which mazda expects to be only about five percent of sales, with an optional automatic transmission 1000). There's a new upper and lower grille design, new hood, new fenders, new lamps, new bumpers and air intakes up front, with body-colored door handles all around, new taillamps, liftgate, and wheels. the new mazda 5 has integrated halogen headlamps at the front corners, creating a line that goes up over the front fenders like other mazdas and then all the way to the rear of the car through the centerline of the body. The lower body is sculpted with an upswept line starting just behind the front tires and extending up and over the rear wheel wells. The second-row captain's chairs flop forward and slide for access to the 50/50 folding third-row bench seat, and there is hidden storage under each chair, not to mention a standard fold-out tray table and cupholder setup that fits between the two captain's chairs when needed. the instrument package contains the usual two round gauges with lights and indicators in between the deeply tunneled clusters and is designed together with a second large, horizontal binnacle in the center of the instrument panel to house the time, temperature, fuel economy, sound system and climate control readouts, with the cd slot below, a very pleasingly laid-out sound system control center, and a three-dial hvac control panel at the bottom (automatic climate control front and rear air-conditioning with pollen filtration is standard equipment). The shifter, whether manual or automatic, resides in the bottom center of the instrument panel. the three-spoke steering wheel has a thick rim and a thickly padded hub with convenient switches for the sound system on the left, cruise control system on the right, and telephone on the lower left. The engine performed smoothly and quietly. the new front seats are comfortable, cosseting and supportive, with cool contrasting stitching on upper models. The second-row captain's chairs slide, recline and fold flat, opening up all kinds of passenger comfort and storage possibilities. The thick steering wheel is pleasant to hold onto, and the mazda 5 is made more comfortable with a combination of a tilt/telescope steering column and adjustable seat height. The six-speaker sound system sounded very good when the volume was cranked up. the suspension underneath is conventional, with macpherson struts in front and a multi-link rear suspension, and in the redesign, the engineers have created quicker steering response, a much flatter ride through corners with quicker-acting shock absorbers, and faster-reacting, more progressive brake and throttle action that makes the mazda 5 more fun and more comfortable to drive quickly. The steering uses a combination of electric and hydraulic assist, and it feels connected to the tires and the road. Although the chassis is carried over from the 2010 model, the body has a larger d-pillar, more welds, wider metal overlaps and reinforcements in it for increased crash safety, which also aids in good handling. summarywe think the mazda 5 is interestingly slick and good-looking for a minivan with the new nagare design theme. Even with its relatively low power, it is fun to drive, gets decent but not class-leading fuel mileage, and it maneuvers well on its tight turning radius. In terms of size, it's actually five inches longer overall than the first minivans introduced by chrysler in 1984, so american families will find room for their stuff. Climate Control✔ Bucket Seats✔ Heated Seats✔ Cruise Control✔ CD Changer✔ Bluetooth✔ Navigation System✔ Sunroof/Moonroof✔ Alloy Wheels
13,763 Appleton, WIAppleton, WI at autoshopper.com