This is bad review. Just by its accomodations Mazda5 is NOT great choice for families.
It has only 4 seats on which adult can actually sit, and with all seats in use there is practically no trunk space.
The only positive about interior here is flexible cargo area.

I disagree with Tony.  The Mazda5 is exactly what a lot of families need - the flexibility of having a small, easy to park, fuel efficient car with the capacity to carry extra folks when the need arises.

For my sister, it’s plenty room enough for a child seat and a booster seat and mom and dad, and room for two more when needed, all without being a gas guzzler.

And actually, it’s a blast to drive compared to minivans and most SUVs; very carlike!

I agree with Six.  The tight turning radius of the 5 makes it incredibly easy to maneuver.  For families wanting minivan-like flexibility without the size and bulk of a traditional van, the Mazda 5 is a great option at a great price.

Last week, I went with my family of 4 to IKEA. Oh, we decided to buy some furniture (in boxes). Good that I have a regular minivan. My family and furniture went together back home, both comfortably :o)
Now, lets see how Mazda5 will pull this trick. It might have doors of the minivan but nothing else. Not a serious family car.

Motherproof will be doing a complete review of the new Mazda5 next month. We’ll put it to the test and get back to you with all the juicy details. Happy Trails!

more detail would have been nice….like seeing how much room was in the back (seats up and down). i look forward to the full review.

The Mazda5 is actually quite useful for a family of 4.  In this case you are trading off size for better fuel economy and better handling.  Here are some useful pictures of the interior.

http://www.velocityjournal.com/journal/2007/mazda/15338/pictures.html

I was just wondering what kind of kid room there is in the 3rd row. Can you put a car seat or a booster seat in the 3rd row?

Just bought a 2008 Mazda5.  I have three kids, the youngest is 8.  Still needs to be in a booster seat where I live until age 10.  Forget putting a carseat on the 2nd row seats, if you plan on accessing the in-seat storage.  Ever tried moving a heavy car seat that is tethered?  Could put a carseat in the rear, however, contortions required to lift a preschool aged child in there, and buckle in safely.  Plus, with small children, you probably prefer them within arms reach.  Perfect size for my family - the 8 year old doesnt complain about footroom - and can buckle in his own booster.  The the girls ages 10 & 12 are still separated - which cuts down on the fighting!  And yes, it still does have the zoom zoom factor!  Did purchase the optional roof racks (which are removable) and the extra long locking cargo box.  Love this mini - minivan crossover.

Tony’s right - it’s not a serious faily car.  It’s a FUN family car.
We’ve taken our two kids and one octegenarian grandparent, with luggage in the box on the roof, on a 4 day road trip, with no complaints.  And got 30 mpg.  And had fun driving (it’s a 5-speed - another plus!).
Get serious - can you fit your family AND a couch in an Odyssey?  If you want to move furniture, buy a truck.

I like how the definition of a serious family car involves everyone traipsing off to Ikea.

We have a 2008 Mazda 5 for our family of 4 (plus - frequently - my elderly mother) and frankly, you couldn’t GIVE me any other mini van. We just all went out for a weekend trip and only used 3/4 tank of gas. Considering the state of our economy, gas prices and gas supply, I think all of us could downsize a lot more! A great useful car for any family.

so - i ahae read all teh reviews…

we have our 3rd child on teh way and have to older girls (5 & 7) and unfortunately will need to enlarge our vehicle from our 2008 Scioan xB.  We love teh efficiency of the xB and my wife really enjoys it - but ther is NO WAY we can fit 3 car seats in the back seat!

My wife DESPISES gas guzzling SUVs and woudl really rather be more efficiant than a minivan.

My question is can the Mazda5 accomodate a family of 5 requiring 3 car seats?

Our other option is a Toyota Sienna.

Any thoughts?

I am upgrading from a VW golf to the mazda 5. I want the sliding doors and room to carry a couple of extra kids (I have two kids, both in carseats, one still rear facing) or grandma + the dog. I CAN’T WAIT!  I know someone who has 4 kids and uses it daily.  At 4 my child can crawl in to his carseat and buckle his harness himself, so I’m not worried about him being in the far back, which is of course where he wants to sit (all the cool kids sit in the back?)

I just recently upgrade from a Ford Focus station wagon to the Mazda5.  I wanted more space for my three children (two in booster seats, one in rear-facing carseat)but absolutely hated the idea of giving up the great fuel economy of my focus wagon.  I LOVE THIS VEHICLE and so do my children. I agree that “you couldn’t give me another car”. The infant seat is in the second row behind the driver and I use the storage bin for emergency equipment that I will hopefully never need to access anyway.  My older children love that they can walk into their seats and can rotate their boosters between the 2nd and 3rd row. I love that they have so much space!  I find the cargo room more than adequate for running the daily errands required by a family of 5.  Lay flat one of the 3rd row seats and just slide the groceries or athletic bags in!  I am planning a cross-country and bought the mazda5 knowing I would have to purchase a roofrack and cargo box, but was willing to accept that minor inconveniece for the fun and fuel efficient daily driving the mazda5 affords.  This car can work as a family hauler for a family of 5 (or even 6) if you are open-minded about making it work.  Families in Europe and Asia regularly purchase vehicle of this size for their families.  Americans really need to take a hard look at the economy and environment and start reconsidering if a full-size minivan is really a “need” or just a “want”.

We just purchased a Mazda 5 GT—we absolutely love it !  We found out about it by accident.  In the process of having my MPV certified before selling-the Mazda shuttle man gave me a ride in the Mazda 5 and asked me if I had considered purchasing it.  Interestingly enough, I had never heard of it or seen a commercial or advertisement about it prior to that.  We researched it, along with its competition, test drove it and many rivals and after two months of researching etc. we purchased one and love our new car.  We find that the manual shifting component option gives it the pick-up we need.  The manuverability and easy handling, in addition to the third row seating are only a few of the many advantages this car offers.  I would recommend this car to anyone.  I think Mazda Canada really needs to start marketing this vehicle !