Topic: Test Drive: 2015 Mazda5

[theonlydt]

I sat in a Mazda 5, for a minute , the seats were uncomfortable, got a Prius instead , 4.3 L/100km on a 1600 km driving @ speeds 115  -120 km/hr

I do like the Prius - but there was no way I was going to get a 2012 Prius with 32,000km on it last Christmas for $11,300.

Seats are so-so.

The sliding doors are much better for car seats (though my kids were not with me this trip) - and the trunk has more room for my dog.

My next car, when my kids are a bit older, may well be a Prius C.

[dkaz]

The Mazda 5 seats are nothing to write home about for short drives, but they are incredibly supportive for long drives.

I averaged 9.4L/100km over 109,000km of driving, that cost me $12,291. Had a Prius V been available at the time and I averaged a conservative 6.5 L/100km on it, my gas costs would've been $8,495.

There is that difference in cost. My preowned 5 cost me $11k which was the difference between buying it new used and trading it in. Even though the Prius V would've cost me more initially, I expect that the trade in value would've been equally more making that a wash.

But driving satisfaction... my manual transmission Mazda 5 was a pleasure to drive. I loved that car.

[Ron]

We considered a Prius V at one point before getting a Mazda 5 but a few things made it a no go from the start - for comparable 2012s there is a 7-10k up front price premium for the Prius, that's a lot to make up in potential gas savings, even considering vehicle value in 6-8 years; the Mazda 5 is incredibly practical with the sliding doors, seating for 6 and rear storage area, an area the Prius couldn't touch when considering the needs of a small family; and ultimately the Mazda 5 is simply just more fun to drive. My wife is really not a car person at all and the Prius was the only car of the many we test drove where she commented it was boring and plain.

Thus far we have been very happy with the 2012 Mazda 5. Almost 60000 Kms, everything still original and no issues noted or in need of repair, suspension or otherwise. It is geared much better for highway cruising than my Mazda 3 so hopefully get similar or better mileage even with the added weight. The 2.5L seems very adequate even when fully loaded, ie recent camping trip with 4 and all the gear, cruising happily at 120-130kmh.

[johngenx]

I think the 5 is an amazing package and had they an AWD version, I'd want one for sure.

[dkaz]

I think the 5 is an amazing package and had they an AWD version, I'd want one for sure.

The 5 is available in AWD, in the same land of the AWD Toyota Echos and Honda Fits.