So how small is the Mazda5? While it rides on Mazda3 architecture, its 15-cm (5.9-inch) extension from front to back and tall mono-box profile
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| While it rides on Mazda3 architecture, the Mazda5's 15-cm (5.9-inch) extension from front to back and tall mono-box profile allows for six occupants in three rows of seats. (Photo: Mazda Canada) |
allows for six occupants in three rows of seats. That makes it ideal for smaller families with two to three young children, especially those that need a break at the gas pump. That break will come from the car's four-cylinder engine, the same 2.3-litre unit that powers the Mazda3, albeit with 157-horsepower in base trim. Are four cylinders enough to power a six-occupant minivan? If you look back to the early days of minivans, such as the first Chrysler Magic Wagons, as well as vans from Toyota and Ford, they were all powered by four-cylinder engines with nowhere near the efficiencies of Mazda's 2.3, that manages somewhere in the neighborhood of 11.2 to 10.7 L/100 km in the city and 9.0 to 8.7 L/100 km on the highway, and those vans were slightly larger than the new 5.
The base GL model gets a five-speed manual transmission standard, with
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| The 2006 Mazda5 is currently on its way, therefore you can expect to see them in showrooms anytime now. (Photo: Mazda Canada) |
a four-speed automatic with manual mode optional. Air conditioning will also be extra in GS trim. Air conditioning will remain optional in top-line GT trim, which will include a power sunroof, 17-inch alloy wheels, side-impact and side-curtain airbags, Mazda's easy-close sliding door system, a fold-out table and cargo bin, plus heated mirrors in standard trim, for an MSRP of $22,795. The GT can also be equipped with an automatic transmission. So when will it arrive at Mazda dealers? The 2006 Mazda5 is currently on its way, therefore you can expect to see them in showrooms anytime now.
