• DREAM DRIVE

The Micro Minivan

Mazda’s 5 Grand Touring downsizes the people-mover with style

If you’re old enough to remember the 1960s, you surely haven’t forgotten the miniskirt. London shop owner Mary Quant is credited with creating the mini in 1965 after experimenting with shorter hemlines. It took but a few years for the miniskirt to shrink to the micro-mini. It’s taken rather longer for the modern minivan, created in 1983 by Lee Iacocca and Chrysler, to be down-sized. But Mazda has done just that.

The micro miniskirt was viewed as a “racier” version of its predecessor, and in automotive terms, the same could be said of the Mazda 5, which turns and stops better than any minivan I’ve driven. That dynamic prowess is in line with Mazda’s “zoom zoom” image and the trend away from truck-based vehicles, which has fueled the growth of the crossover segment. But I don’t view the Mazda 5 as a crossover. It’s a mini-van for smaller families or individuals who don’t require the space of a full-size minivan.
2009 Mazda 5 Grand Touring
Price as Tested: $23,345
Engine: 153 hp, 2.3-liter, inline four
Weight: 3,417 pounds
Fuel Economy: 21/27 city/hwy

With seating for six and a total interior volume of 142.1 cubic feet, the Mazda 5 compares favorably with compact SUVs like the Toyota RAV 4 and small crossovers like the Chevy Equinox, Ford Escape, and Honda CR-V. And it has one feature that no other crossover has — dual sliding rear doors.

Those doors offer the kind of wide opening that families have come to expect from a minivan, and the rest of the 5’s interior follows suit. The second- and third-row seats fold flat, creating a large (70.9 cubic feet) cargo area. There’s a fold-out second-row table, front and rear 12-volt power outlets, cup-holders fore and aft, and rear tie-down hooks. Under-seat second-row storage is augmented by similar spaces under the floor near the rear hatch. There are other small storage nooks, including a generous glove box, but not the profusion of little spaces found in many full-size minivans.

The Galaxy Gray Grand Touring model I drove is trimmed in black leather, with a light gray headliner and door trim that brighten the interior. Accented HVAC controls provide further contrast, and the gauge cluster manages to lend a mildly sporting character. The front seats are comfortable, if a bit upright for my taste, while the rears could use a bit more cushion length. Third-row ingress is aided by forward-folding second-row chairs but remains (as do the seats) best suited to children.

Driving feel is pleasantly nimble, lacking much of the suspension wallow and steering slop of larger people-haulers. The 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine provides acceptable power but feels a bit overmatched when the mini is fully loaded. You won’t be winning many drag races — the 5 goes from 0 to 60 mph in 9.4 seconds — but the flip side is excellent fuel economy.

Efficiency is the Mazda 5’s forte. If you have two children or fewer or have light hauling needs, it’s an exceptionally rational choice from a cost and performance standpoint. The 5 is a good-looking piece, and its optional five-speed manual transmission signals mini-chic attitude.