2012 Mazda MAZDA5 Minivan Features & Specs

 

What's New for 2012

The 2012 Mazda 5 has been completely redesigned.

Introduction

There's a reason the minivan is considered the quintessential vehicle for parents. You see, it's the perfect vehicle for schlepping around the kids and the stuff that comes along with them. No other vehicle can match the minivan's huge interior space, three rows of seating, sliding rear doors and low ride height. Yet as great as a minivan is, it can be overkill for families with just one or two little ones. That's where the 2012 Mazda 5 comes in.
Completely redesigned for 2012, the latest Mazda 5 is an evolution of the previous model. Highlights include a bit more power, more comfortable seating and swoopier styling. At its core, however, the 5 remains a mini-minivan for those with modest family transportation needs. With two seats in each of its three rows, it only seats six compared to the seven- or eight-passenger seating of a big minivan (now that's an oxymoron). But if occasions to haul multiple passengers are few and far between, the Mazda 5's design has a sizable (size being the operative word here) practical advantage over compact crossover SUVs.
There's another advantage the Mazda 5 has over its quasi-family mobile competitors -- it's fun to drive. Like the Mazda 3, it goes around corners with control and poise. Some automakers may boast that their minivans or SUVs "handle like a car," but the Mazda 5 actually does. In fact, it handles like a really good car. Because of its smaller size, it's also much easier to maneuver through tighter spaces, and you won't have to think twice about squeezing into compact parking spots.
That said, the 2012 Mazda 5 certainly isn't for everyone. Some folks really do need commodious space, and there's something to be said for V6 power on hilly terrain or with a full load of people aboard. The Mazda 5 also isn't available with certain features common to regular minivans, like power-operated sliding doors, sunshades or factory-installed navigation and entertainment systems. In contrast, the all-new 2012 Ford C-Max -- also a mini minivan built on a platform shared with the Mazda 5 has all sorts of electronics features. Still, the Mazda 5 has everything you need and enough passenger and cargo space for most young families. Essentially a design hybrid between a minivan and a wagon, the Mazda 5 is a great alternative choice and definitely worth a look in these lean economic times.

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The 2012 Mazda 5 is a three-row, six-passenger compact minivan available in three trim levels: Sport, Touring and Grand Touring. The base Sport comes standard with 16-inch alloy wheels, full power accessories, keyless entry, cruise control, automatic climate control (with rear vents and fan controls), a height-adjustable driver seat, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel and a six-speaker sound system with a CD player and an auxiliary audio jack.
The 5 Touring adds 17-inch alloy wheels, foglights, a rear spoiler, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a trip computer and Bluetooth. For the Touring, the optional Moonroof & Audio package adds a sunroof, satellite radio and a six-CD changer. This package is standard on the 5 Grand Touring, which also gets automatic xenon headlights, heated mirrors, automatic wipers, driver lumbar adjustment, heated front seats and leather upholstery.
There are a number of dealer-installed extras that will be available later in the model year, including remote ignition, an iPod interface, a Garmin portable navigation system and a DVD entertainment system.

Powertrains and Performance

Every 2012 Mazda 5 is powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that produces 157 horsepower and 163 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual is standard on the Sport, while a five-speed automatic is optional on the Sport and standard on everything else. In Edmunds performance testing, a 5 Grand Touring went from zero to 60 mph in 9.5 seconds -- slower than most typical minivans and many compact SUVs. With either transmission, fuel economy is estimated at 21 mpg city/28 highway.

Safety

Every Mazda 5 comes with standard stability and traction control, four-wheel antilock disc brakes with brake assist, front side airbags and side curtain airbags. In Edmunds brake testing, the 5 came to a stop from 60 mph in 130 feet -- a few feet longer than average.

Interior Design and Special Features

While the 5 is obviously smaller than the typical minivan, it still packs plenty of interior versatility. The comfortable second-row captain's chairs slide and recline, and the passenger-side seat features a nifty pop-up center table and storage space that can be fitted between the chairs (and later stowed away, creating a walk-through channel to the third row). The third row is big enough for kids and is easier to get into than every crossover third row we can think of. At the same time, the sliding rear doors mean easy access, particularly in parking lots.
Up front, the new 5's dash layout has remained largely the same, and the overall look is sleeker now. All of the controls are easy to reach and use, and that helps the 5 feel much more like a regular car from behind the wheel. The front seats provide respectable comfort, though taller folks may wish for more rearward seat travel.

Driving Impressions

If you want some added utility but don't want to give up the agility and urban maneuverability of car, the 2012 Mazda 5 is an excellent choice. Acceleration is slightly pokey (especially on hilly terrain), but the 5's handling is excellent. On winding roads, the 5 rewards the driver with precise steering and controlled body motions. Passengers riding with an enthusiastic driver will also appreciate a retuned suspension that helps keep them from sliding and swaying in their seats. On the Edmunds test track, the 5 nearly matched the handling numbers of the much smaller Mazda 2. Quite simply, the 5 is fun to drive, something we can't say about any other regular minivan.
 

Colors

Exterior

Interior

Exterior

Tires and Wheels

• Alloy wheels
• 16 x 6.5 in. wheels
• Steel spare wheel
• P205/55R16 89H tires
• All season tires
• Inside mounted spare tire
• Temporary spare tire

Roof and Glass

• Variable intermittent wipers
• Rear defogger
• Intermittent rear wiper

Doors

• Rear liftgate door

Measurements

• Width: 68.9 in.
• Height: 63.6 in.
• Length: 180.5 in.
• Ground clearance: 5.5 in.
• Front track: 60.2 in.
• Rear track: 59.8 in.
• Wheel base: 108.3 in.

• Maximum payload: 1193 lbs.**
• Gross weight: 4610 lbs.
• Curb weight: 3417 lbs.

Exterior Options

• Rear Bumper Guard
• Wheel Locks
• Fog Lights

Mechanical

Engine & Performance

• Base engine size: 2.5 L
• Cam type: Double overhead cam (DOHC)
• Cylinders: inline 4
• Valves: 16
• Valve timing: Variable
• Torque: 163 ft-lbs. @ 4000 rpm
• Horsepower: 157 hp @ 6000 rpm
• Turning circle: 36.7 ft.

• Base engine type: gas

DriveTrain

• Drive type: front wheel drive
• Transmission: 6-speed manual

Suspension

• MacPherson strut front suspension
• Multi-link rear suspension
• Four-wheel independent suspension
• Front and rear stabilizer bar

Fuel

• Fuel type: gas
• Fuel type: regular unleaded
• Fuel tank capacity: 15.9 gal.
• Range in miles (cty/hwy): 333.9/445.2 mi.
• EPA mileage est. (cty/hwy): 21/28 mpg

Safety

Safety & Security

• 4-wheel ABS
• Front, rear and third row head airbags
• Dual front side-mounted airbags
• Child seat anchors
• Emergency braking assist
• Ventilated front disc / solid rear disc brakes
• Rear door child safety locks
• Engine immobilizer
• 2 front headrests
• 2 rear headrests
• Passenger airbag occupant sensing deactivation
• Front seatbelt pretensioners
• Stability control
• Traction control
• Electronic brakeforce distribution
• Front height adjustable headrests
• Rear height adjustable headrests
• Tire pressure monitoring

Warranty

• Basic: 3 yr./ 36000 mi.
• Drivetrain: 5 yr./ 60000 mi.
• Roadside: 3 yr./ 36000 mi.

Interior

Front Seats

• Front head room: 40.7 in.
• Front hip room: 53.1 in.
• Front leg room: 40.7 in.
• Front shoulder room: 55.5 in.
• Height adjustable driver seat
• Cloth
• Bucket front seats

Rear Seats

• Rear hip Room: 57.8 in.
• Rear head room: 39.4 in.
• Rear leg room: 39.4 in.
• Rear shoulder room: 55.5 in.
• Folding rear seatback
• Manual folding split-bench third row seats
• Rear ventilation ducts with fan control

Power Features

• Remote power door locks
• Power mirrors
• 1 one-touch power windows

Convenience

• Cruise control
• Front console with storage
• Front, rear and 3rd row cupholders
• Front door pockets
• Remote trunk release
• Front seatback storage
• Electric power steering
• 12V front and 12V cargo area power outlet(s)
• Tilt and telescopic steering wheel
• Audio and cruise controls on steering wheel

Comfort

• Interior air filtration
• Climate control
• Cargo area light
• Front reading lights
• Simulated alloy steering wheel
• Front and rear floor mats
• Dual vanity mirrors

Instrumentation

• Clock
• Tachometer
• External temperature display
• Low fuel level warning

In Car Entertainment

• Mast antenna
• 6 total speakers
• AM/FM in-dash single CD player with CD MP3 Playback stereo
• Auxiliary MP3 audio input

Interior Options

• Sirius Satellite Radio
• Auto-Dimming Mirror w/Compass and Homelink
• DVD Entertainment System
• CD Changer, In-Dash 6-Disc
• Cargo Net
• Floor Mats, All-Weather
• Interior Cargo Cover