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Review: 2012 Mazda5

Filed under: Budget, Minivan/Van, Mazda, Reviews

Mazda’s Pint-sized Minivan Gets Better, Not Bigger

2012 Mazda5

2012 Mazda5 – Click above for high-res image gallery

Way back in 1983, Chrysler shocked the world with the introduction of the Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager. The upstart family haulers took the auto industry by storm, driving a stake through the heart of station wagon sales while setting the table for Chrysler to own the minivan segment for decades to come. But that segment has evolved in the last several years, leading to a redefinition of family transportation.

First and foremost, the minivan has gone through an HGH-fueled growth spurt, adding a host of whiz-bang features like a second sliding door and ridiculously handy storage options along the way. The other big development has been a rising tide of SUVs and crossovers, which focused consumers’ attention away from minivans to the point where many automakers don’t even offer one anymore. But as America’s suddenly all-new or heavily refreshed batch of minivans illustrate (see: Nissan Quest, Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey), many automakers have responded by evolving the mundane van into the automotive equivalent of a family spa day. These new vans contain near-luxury levels of comfort and convenience, and it’s not at all uncommon for them to crest $40,000 or more.

If you can afford their monthly payments, the latest minivans to hit the market will likely suit your needs just fine. But what if you want something small, efficient and, perhaps most important, inexpensive? Something more like the original Caravan? Right now, there is only one choice on the market: the 2012 Mazda5. While the rest of the auto industry zigged with larger and more opulent choices, the Zoom-Zoom automaker zagged with a minivan that’s nearly the size of the original Caravan, and with a price tag starting under $20,000. We took the reins of a nicely equipped 2012 Mazda5 Touring to see if Mazda’s nifty little van has the chops to take on the big boys.

Gallery: 2012 Mazda5: Review

2012 Mazda5

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Review: 2012 Mazda5 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Feb 2011 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mazda to supply Nissan with its own version of Mazda5

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Japan, Plants/Manufacturing, Mazda, Nissan

2012 Mazda5

2012 Mazda5 – Click above for high-res image gallery

Mazda has officially announced that it will supply the Mazda5 minivan to Nissan beginning in May of this year. But before you go dreaming of a Nissan micro-minivan here in the United States, know that this will be a Japan-only affair. As of this writing, mum’s the word on what the Nissan-badged Mazda will be called in the automaker’s home market. The Mazda5, or Premacy as it’s known in Japan, will “enrich [Nissan’s] minivan lineup in the Japanese market” – a place where small MPVs are sold in great volume.

This is not the only collaboration between Mazda and Nissan in Japan. Currently, Mazda provides its Bongo Van/Truck to Nissan under the name Vanette. Likewise, Nissan supplies its AD/AD Expert to Mazda, sold under the name Familia Van. Follow the jump for the official press release.

Gallery: 2012 Mazda5

2012 Mazda5

[Source: Mazda]

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Mazda to supply Nissan with its own version of Mazda5 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 29 Jan 2011 15:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2009-2010 Mazda5 minivans recalled over fuel pump concerns

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Recalls, Mazda

2009 Mazda5

2009 Mazda5 – Click above for high-res image gallery

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued a safety recall on certain Mazda5 minivans from the 2009 and 2010 model year.

This recall focuses on the van’s fuel pump, with NHTSA citing that water may not have been completely removed from the pump’s harness connector before vehicle assembly. Thus, the connector pin may corrode, causing the pin to break. If the harness connector breaks, this could lead to an inoperative fuel pump. The Mazda5’s engine could stall, and the inability to restart the engine increases the risk of a crash.

Approximately 16,200 of the Mazda minivans are effected by this problem, and the safety recall is expected to begin on or before December 11th. Dealers will inspect the fuel pump connector and replace the harness free of charge. For the full details, follow the jump to read NHTSA’s official statement.

Gallery: 2009 Mazda5

[Source: NHTSA]

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2009-2010 Mazda5 minivans recalled over fuel pump concerns originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Dec 2010 17:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Mazda5 priced from $19,990, hits dealerships in January

Filed under: Car Buying, Minivan/Van, Mazda

2012 Mazda5

2012 Mazda5 – Click above for high-res image gallery

We have quite the soft spot for the Mazda5 mini-minivan. It’s a taller, more capacious version of the zippy Mazda3, and it stands totally alone in a class of Americanized small MPVs (until the Ford Grand C-Max arrives on our shores, that is). Mazda has given the 5 a healthy once-over for the 2012 model year, and the automaker has just announced that the swoopy new people-mover will be priced from $19,990 (including destination and delivery).

That sub-$20,000 price point gets you the base Sport model, which has 16-inch wheels, air conditioning, power windows and mirrors, tilt/telescope steering wheel, remote keyless entry and safety features like Dynamic Stability Control and traction control. The $21,990 Touring model adds 17-inch alloys, a five-speed automatic transmission, Bluetooth, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The top-rung Grand Touring ($24,670) will net you a moonroof, automatic xenon headlamps, heated mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, heated leather front seats and an upgraded audio system with Sirius satellite radio.

The entire Mazda5 range is powered by the automaker’s 2.5-liter inline-four (found in the Mazda3, Mazda6 and CX-7) that produces 157 horsepower and 163 pound-feet of torque. Base Sport models come standard with a six-speed manual transmission, while a five-speed autobox is the only transmission available on Touring and Grand Touring models.

Look for the 2012 Mazda5 to hit dealerships in January of 2011. For the full details, follow the jump for Mazda’s press release.

Gallery: 2012 Mazda5

2012 Mazda5

[Source: Mazda]

Continue reading 2012 Mazda5 priced from $19,990, hits dealerships in January

2012 Mazda5 priced from $19,990, hits dealerships in January originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Nov 2010 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LA 2010: 2012 Mazda5 with updated styling now goes with the flow

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Minivan/Van, Mazda

2012 Mazda5

2012 Mazda5 at the LA Auto Show – Click above for high-res image gallery

The upcoming 2012 Mazda5 just showed us its smiling face, and Mazda’s flowing design language is visible everywhere on it. The mini people mover has gotten a displacement increase up from the old 2.3-liter and is now powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 157 horsepower and 163 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm. Three trims are available, entry-level, Sport and Touring, and a five-speed automatic transmission comes standard on all of them. Thankfully, the Sport is available with a six-speed manual gearbox.

Incorporating the Nagare “flow” design has brought the 2012 Mazda5 in line with the rest of the family. Not only that, it adds a slightly elegant touch to a vehicle that has always offered solid utility alongside a fun driving experience. Be sure to read more about it in the press release sitting after the jump.

Gallery: LA 2010: Mazda5

2012 Mazda5

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LA 2010: 2012 Mazda5 with updated styling now goes with the flow originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Nov 2010 17:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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