2006 Mazda MAZDA5

So she's all dressed up, but can she dance? With a chassis and running gear based on the MAZDA3, one of the most enjoyable-to-drive small cars, we had high expectations for the 5. Because it's a larger vehicle and some 570 lbs. heavier than the 3, acceleration from the 157-hp four cylinder is not as vibrant as in its lither sibling, but certainly adequate for day-to-day duties. It is, however, impressively smooth and refined.

Interior

Our tester had the optional 4-speed automatic with sport shift mode for manual style fun. To give it that little extra oomph, we hope that Mazda will upgrade this to the new 5-speed auto that just became available on the MAZDA3 in 2006.


Take a curve or a bumpy road, and the MAZDA5 will impress you. For a tall vehicle, there is minimal body roll in turns, and Mazda's Electo-Hydraulic Power Assisted Steering (EHPAS to you and me) has a nice, light touch, quick response and great feedback. It makes for a fun, nimble handler that says "sport sedan" much more than "family hauler." When you're not tackling the twisties, you'll also find that the MAZDA5 offers a quiet and comfortable ride.


The interior is as stylish as the exterior, with a nice use of aluminum-tone trim throughout the cabin for a clean contemporary look. The driver enjoys a sporty 3-spoke, leather-wrapped steering wheel with remotes for cruise control and audio on the spokes, and a handsome set of oversize gauges. A prominent center console puts the transmission lever, climate and audio controls all close at hand.


We also liked the easy to use controls for the optional navigation system, conveniently placed next to the transmission lever rather than having to stretch to the screen as in some competitors. Like other Mazda products, a horizontal information center gives a handy digital readout of audio and climate settings bathed in a soothing green light.