2014 Mazda5 Minivan Test Drive Video Review

www.autobytel.com/mazda/mazda5... The Mazda5 looks just like a regular minivan with only one difference being the size. Because it is smaller than a conventional minivan, the fuel economy is better and the price is much cheaper. The Mazda5 drives like a car; it is small, nimble, light, and easy to park. The base price of $20,140 which is almost $10k less than other full-sized minivans.
Inside the Mazda5 is old school Mazda for better or for worse. The controls are straightforward and visibility is great. But the interior is not luxurious and the materials are not that high quality. But for the price the Mazda5 gets it done. The Mazda5 seats 6 passengers. With the rear seats folded there is much more cargo room.
If you have a small family then the Mazda5 is a nice alternative. This minivan is cheaper, more fuel efficient, and a lot better to drive.
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[@karloschrome]

i like this guy. he is not reading from a script like other reviewers.

[@thomasfioriglio]

One of the best reviews I have seen. He was engaging, seemed to really know the car and had a real interest in reviewing it. I have a 2009 Mazda 5 and love it. Was looking to upgrade to 2015.

[@janetsbrick]

I love my 2013 a lot - it's just a wonderfully practical just-right thing. Mazda fixed some issues with the first gen in the 2012- ones. I think overall the second gens got stiffer rear springs, better shocks, a much heavier duty passenger motor mount, the 2.5 obviously and the 6mt. Other than that most changes were cosmetic, I think. I'd be willing to bet that it's possible to bolt an entire 2012- interior into a first gen. :) My 2013 is a 6mt - I've added Koni FSD dampers and MazdaSpeed3 swaybars front and rear (07-09 MS3 parts almost all bolt-on!). Ride comfort is at least as good as stock if not better, and it corners like a hot hatch - a joy, when my grandson lives sixty miles up a twisty coast road!

[@teirvin]

As someone else said, this guy is great. I watched a number of Mazda5 reviews of various model years. This one has been the most conversational, entertaining and practical one I've seen. Thanks!

[@CoolTies]

My wife has owned a Mazda5 2004 GS and now the 2009 GT. I traded a RAV4 for a 2012 Mazda5 GT. Best cars we've ever owned, never a problem and we love the space our family of 4 has. Plus the option to take the grandparents out to a restaurant dinner. We find the only thing we give up is a road trip with 5-7 passengers, which doesn't happen often enough to warrant the additional cost, parking size and fuel price of a larger conventional minivan. Hope our experience helps with your decision :)

[@nunyabusiness896]

As someone that has owned both, is the 06-10 model or the 11+ model the better car if you were to buy a used one today? I'm seriously looking at a Mazda5 as a secondary car to reduce wear on tear on my nicer cars, but I want to make the right choice as I intend to keep it and absolutely run it until the wheels fall off.

[@khadimah]

I got the 2015 Mazda5 Sport. Great vehicle for my family...specially on long drives. Very comfortable, good gas millage...and drives like a car. Really cute and reasonable car...I mean minivan.

[@peterzellmer3333]

We got one last year. We really like ours. It's basically a big station wagon with sliding doors. Perfect for a small family. We only use the third row when we have an extra adult in the car (primarily grandparents), so the small storage behind the third row is not an issue. It's way more menuverable than a full size mini-van. Parking, in partiuclar, is much easier. And, frankly, I really like that I could get a manual transmission.

[@janetsbrick]

I love mine...I got one just like this with a 6sp manual. I'd had full-sized "mini" vans for years while my children were growing up and loved the efficient use of space, but with only one left home full-time I was ready to downsize. This just made so much more sense than any other choice to us, especially if you enjoy driving at all. It's a fantastic car to navigate the mean streets of San Francisco with, and you can park it anywhere that a Corolla will fit!

[@rnhor5648]

Peter Zellmer I had a 2007 with 5 speed manual and I really enjoy driving it

[@abolfazlg8666]

This dude is so cool !! Why we didn't saw him more on the channel ?

[@janetsbrick]

I have one just like this, in a 6-speed manual. It can be a versatile people carrier, it can haul 8 foot long pieces of lumber with the back hatch closed and four passengers, or it can be thrashed around a twisty country road. It's truly one of a kind in the USA market and that's a sad thing. A Mazdaspeed 3 rear sway bar and some firmer rear shocks really makes the handling come alive, too - it's more fun than it has any right to be.

[@masterwhopper414]

+1, I only wish it has the MS3 engine. Or at least the Mazda6 V6

[@mixtekodcorazon2449]

$$

[@benlunshof5407]

I had a 2007 Mazda 5 GT Auto and put 120,000km on it and now I have a 2012 Mazda 5 GS 6spd. with 93,000km on it. They have both been great cars. Oil changes, brakes, & tires are all I've had to them (new rear struts on the 2007) I use them for my business.

[@xiloeteknowledgiesllc1973]

I actually laughed on this car review. This guy combines a comedy routine with a car review!

[@dpajc056]

great review~! refreshing to see an actual interesting reviewer

[@codebasemx9951]

Love the personal stories. Thanks man!

[@divadriver]

Great review, I love his comments

[@prettyfly9]

great review !

[@jamescanfield7251]

As a manager of a rental car office, I love the Mazda 5. The main reason is because you get a lot of value out of it. You have a vehicle that is setup like a van, but.....the price is not that different from an intermediate car like a Corolla or Sentra.

[@alexmarchica5264]

great review! funny to! no fluff, all sentences are to the point. well done.

[@bagelboi66]

I wish we saw Aaron Gold doing reviews more often. He's the best.

[@ACEcolorado1]

I swear the caravan once was available with a 4 or 5 speed manual, but that was back in the 80s

[@Fenncer24]

ACEcolorado1 You are right the original Dodge or Chrysler Caravan did come with a 5 speed manual. My stepfather had one but these were horribly under powered. The Mazda 5 is more wagon than Minivan so that's why it is the only one with a manual.

[@mgangat]

Excellent review Thanks

[@arturv.4251]

Nice review sir

[@progKansas]

I wish I could buy one. I drove one from Pittsburg, Kansas to Garland, Texas. It had great gas mileage and was quite drivable.

[@Mdogbrown]

Great review

[@godfatherNYC]

Another nice review from the BEST reviewer! Aaron Gold is awesome.

[@oldtwinsna8347]

I agree. I really like how he draws his real-world car review experience into something meaningful. Very nice to have someone give the right among of enthusiasm without being obnoxious and painfully annoying.

[@YTU37]

Good, informative review. Thank you.

[@SUV7777777]

this guy is the best

[@eplurp]

very well done sir.

[@henrybrar]

even makes this boring car feel good. this dude is good.

[@dunsdonjone1537]

wym i get erections just from looking at it. 10/10 exciting

[@spyder000069]

This guy was great. Very nice review.

[@drepollet23]

spyder000

[@alanguerrero9433]

Dianna Repollet.

[@hmi1750]

in the UK it is a 7 seater, with a 2 seats and flip out middle seat for the middle row... same width as a narrow hatch, but can take 3 adults abreast.

[@902skipper]

Excellent revue. I have a 2010 5, which is almost identical. He picked up on all the important features and limitations. Too bad you can't get the Mazda5 anymore.

[@Fenncer24]

902skipper True you can't buy the Mazda 5 in a newer 2016 on up model here in the US, you can however still buy them in Canada. The cunuks still import the Mazda 5 as I looked it up a few days ago. But if you look hard enough at dealers and online you'll find 3 or more around. Just takes time.

[@thebarak]

Very entertaining review. I laughed several times.

[@juschill7]

This is the perfect car for you!

[@yeolblt]

What's with the preoccupation with soft touch padded dashboards? Do people touch and feel the dashboard regularly?

[@Millermacs]

Man I love this thing, and I don't even have one. My family currently has a 2012 Toyota Sienna and this thing is totally cool compared to it. I seriously wish you could get a manual transmission and cloth seats at at top trim level though, I hate leather seats, they get so dirty and aren't even that much more comfortable.

[@JediGTI]

I've many cars and this is best car I've ever owned.

[@Fenncer24]

JediGTI same here. I have had 8 cars Before this one. 3 wagons, 3 two doors all three were crappy, and 2 hatch backs. by far the Mazda ,5 is the best of them all. it'd a 2007 and I'm gonna be the last owner as I plan to get till I croock. that's hopefully 50 years from now. fun and zippy Wagavan.

[@mikeschlup4164]

an update with a new mazda 6 4 cylinder would be awesome.. 2.5 sky active.. now we are talking.... rented one of these last year.. not bad!!!!! but with a little work, would be so much better!!!!!!!

[@xox_mary_xox3044]

I agree

[@kambo209]

Can't find a 6 speed anyware in California.

[@lego4virgo]

I bought one of these for my daughter when she graduated high school. Refuses to trade it to her Mom for her Mom's 2019 Jetta S.

[@MrJessDancing]

How tall is the test driver and did he have the seat raised or lowered? I am 6'2" with a long torso and bought the Mazda MPV in 2001 and have really enjoyed the mini van. The stats say the the driver headroom is just slightly less in the Mazda 5 than in the MPV. I take the seats out and use it to carry tools and for car camping and not for carting more than two people at a time. I would only want the automatic trans. and power mirrors. Please advise. Thank you.

[@njsimca]

I'm 5'11" and barely have enough leg room, but plenty of head room. When you lower the height adjustable seat, you get more leg room, but then you sit too low (for me).

[@david751008]

The reason why there's no direct competitors for the Mazda 5 (Mazda Premacy in Japan) is that Toyota Wish is not available in America. Although there are some differences between these 2 cars such as the doors of Wish are sedan/wagon-like instead of sliding doors, Toyota Wish is still the real "rival" of Mazda 5.

[@scottlewis5521]

wow that toyota wish looks amazing. it looks like a prius front with a longer matrix body. Why don't we get cool things in the US? I loved the first generation Scion XB and you can still get them overseas under Toyota BB or DIahatsu. no fun :(

[@paulaguiar8554]

I have a 2014 Mazda5. I bought new. I have 2 kids and yes, the car is smaller in size, but very fuel efficient and spunky. Not a ton of bells and whistles, but Its a super city commuter car and can fit in tight spots. Highly reliable. Too bad Mazda discontinued this model

[@ralphbenedictdelacruz6740]

StarWars CloneWars headrests!! haha

[@bjthedjdutchdude1992]

In europe, you can also buy Chrysler and Kia Minivans with manual transmission.

[@sillygosling351]

Also consider the Mercedes Benz r class and the Chrysler Pacifica through 2008

[@vinster907311]

Hey, when did they discontinue production ? I own the 2010 and it took us everywhere

[@Fenncer24]

Vinster Thai production of the Mazda 5 ended here in the United States in 2016. I'm pretty sure that you can find one if you look hard enough. Some dealers may have a few still laying around in far reaches of their lot if you haggle with them.

[@priyananthpremakanthan9655]

The vw sharan is a maunall minivan and it is bout the size of a sienna,odyssey

[@njsimca]

I've got 120,000 miles on my 2006 Mazda5 Limited and it really is a good car. I purchased a 100,000 mile warranty for about $1000 and it MORE than paid for itself when I had to have a LOT of work done when I almost hit the end of the warranty. Leaking shocks, broken suspension bits, something under the hood, etc, etc... Other than that, it does go through tires and brakes a LOT. Thank you for this review, the guy gives a nice, honest opinion, but how come 157hp results in a car that's underpowered, when we all used to get along fine with 100hp in a Dodge Dart? I really don't mind if it takes me an extra second to get up to 60mph, where's the fire, everyone??? I might get another one in 2015, I hear that will be the last year for it here. That's too bad, they never really advertised it, it's a shame, because there really is no competition. Oh, remember, years ago there was the Dodge Colt Vista, also a small, tall wagon with three rows of seats. I had that in 4WD, and it was a very versatile car!

[@njsimca]

Well it's now a year later and I have about 156,000 miles. I still love the car, I switched to 16 inch wheels when I got snow tires and it improves the ride a lot because they are not so low profile. And I had to have a hole in the exhaust pipe fixed, but the muffler is still original. Did all the brakes again, too! No other problems, but I'm starting to get rust around both rear wheel arches. Still a few 2015 leftovers near me, and for LESS than I paid for mine in 2006, I've got to snag one quick!!

[@Fenncer24]

Matt Cotton yes I remember the Dodge Colt my stepfather had one for about 2 years before going back to the Dodge Caravan. Kinda funny as with the Mazda 5, the Dodge Colt really didn't take off here in the US. But I'm pretty sure that it did in Europe and Asia. Bad marketing in the US with such a big market pool for vehicles like these.

[@justicierblanc730]

I prefer the old one,specially the front .

[@trlz]

Did you notice that Aaron's upper arm too short?

[@tooleyoclock]

The parking lot at the end looks just like the parking lot from The Office.

[@randyfirms4891]

I have this car in stickshift version.

[@bhadz100]

Mazda 5 or Honda Element

[@Trohawkk]

Van with a stir stick? Damn

[@brooklynforge4591]

Need something for 4 people and good storage space for trips and conventions with the mini van feel driving wise. Would this be a good fit. Usually caryy multiple 30 gallon containers.

[@brooklynforge4591]

Mean without the mini van feel driving wise

[@Fenncer24]

yes this would do just fine with the third row down no problem. I have one and just leave all the seats in back down as I rarely carry any passengers but do carry lots of boxes. The next best think would be a station wagon but these can be very expensive on the long run.

[@LambChowder1]

fine review but i dont get why a plastic dash is such a knock no pun intended

[@m2steve2m]

He's really funny.

[@zachbattack]

Mini Vans are unsafe because a car that size is on a small platform for a car like a civic. It does not work well in a crash.

[@danenakasone7620]

Sim card 4.4.6.560.765

[@candyqueenify]

Lol midnight ice cream ninjas

[@KhrissyDaDon]

I forgot all about this car lol

[@A7medMido28]

no there is a compition for this car >> mitsubishi outlander (3 Rows - 7 seater) and the dodge grand caravan (3 Rows - 7 seater) . compared to this mazda5 6 seater only, with defenitely less power than both . plus, you can just pay like 25-26k for either one !!

[@evilpeach2]

This is a lot cheaper and it is a lot easier to park. Its more of a station wagon with sliding doors and a third row.

[@A7medMido28]

evilpeach2 . exactly !! damn, you were so accurate with your discribtion !! it's a station wagon !!

[@zhuolizhang7837]

cannt understand why do not they make 7 seats (2+3+2 or 2+2+3) Mazda5 is wider than some compact car.

[@alduswong]

It is 2+3+2 in asia. The fold out cup holder were design to be a seat. That does not go thru our std, so it elimiate that seat and become a huge cup holder.

[@ay0748]

Wow seeing a minivan have a manual transmission

[@GamerDadschannel]

I like the way the 2010 looks better. A bit sporty .this one looks borring to me. And yes I have the 2010

[@danenakasone7620]

Sim card 4.4.4.6.560.765

[@xan_carman4216]

my mom has one of these but with the auto and im sad its a auto lol

[@tonkacejas236]

It's not a minivan. It's a compact MPV.

[@highdesertutah]

For the life of me I don’t know why reviewers care about hard plastic dashboards. As long as the seats and armrests are comfortable who gives a crap about the dash?

[@vicentepolanco4482]

4 Ho 6 cc

[@chrisdwyer1477]

What the heck is midnight ice cream ninjas

[@lego4virgo]

I dunno, but someone needs to make that game--'Midnight Ice Cream Ninjas..In Spaaace!'

[@DavidRodriguez-hg6kq]

Too bad Mazda doesn't make this mini minivan.

[@Fenncer24]

David Rodriguez yes you are right. Mazda stopped making them in 2016-2017 for the US market but I do believe that these are still available in Europe, Japan and maybe Australia. I have a 2007 I'm the third and final owner, I love this van, wagon, micro minivan, or as I can it a Wagavan. Also known as the Micro machine.

[@BTC909]

Pros: Priced right. Those sliding doors. It isn't a bus yet still seats 6. Good handling. Cons: Looks dated. Non-existent infotainment system, no modern safety tech, no cargo room when the 3rd row is up, WAY under powered, mediocre mid 20's Combined. No backup camera. Mazda is wasting a major opportunity here. The cost alternative is the Transit Connect which looks like a thrown together cargo van with more seats and a weak engine as well.

[@Fenncer24]

Ivan Vojt well the Newer Mazda 5s from 2010 on do have stability control ABS and all around air bags. ,Now your right there is no backup camera and would be helpful. I bought a second owner , 2007 Mazda 5 and have to say this is by far my favorite car of the 9 cars I have owned since 1985. Fun and zippy to drive. gonna keep it forever.

[@pedrof830]

too narrow for three abreast.

[@SSC3034]

In other markets there's a middle seat that flips out from the left 2nd row seat, however this design isn't capable of holding a lot of weight

[@dominicfong6341]

Only mental patients would want the interior of a vehicle that resembles a padded cell. Really don't see why reviewers just love to pick on hard dashboard.

[@clover7359]

Don't even say the name Fiat 500L. That car is appalling.

[@godfatherNYC]

Probably a pretty good car, and very functional, but one of the ugliest cars on the road. Seems too small to be called a minivan.