ROADTEST MAZDA5 1.6D SPORT:It's time to look at the Mazda5 with fresh eyes, as the people carrier is much more relevant than before. PADDY COMYNtests the new-look seven seater
RECESSIONS, we are told, bring baby booms, but at the worst time financially for many families.
Downsizing your car or even making a two-car family a one-car family is all well and good, but if you have a lot of children and lots of stuff, you still need space. The Ford S-Max and Galaxy have dominated the dedicated seven-seater MPV segment in Ireland for some time and the arrival of a new version of the C-Max, which includes a seven-seat Grand C-Max, looks set to shore up this dominance. But there are some good alternatives.
Take this new version of the Mazda5. It started off life in 2005 as a bit of an “also-ran” because it didn’t have the right engine and wasn’t particularly good value either. Back in the sales boom of 2007, Mazda still only sold 109 Mazda5s, which was about half the number of S-Max models that Ford sold.
That was then. Now, there is a new version of the Mazda5 and thanks to some essential revisions, it’s now well worth considering.
It was always a seven-seater, but not all of these are full size, so it is probably best considered as a six-plus-one seater as the middle seat of the second row is best reserved for small children. This seating arrangement continues, but this shouldn’t be considered a criticism because this folding seat makes the interior very practical.
For the new version, Mazda have been out with the styling pen and the design has been given a full makeover. As well as the now familiar new Mazda family face, the model has a look that was inspired by water, wind and nature – collectively known as the Nagare design language.
That accounts for the dramatic flowing line across the side which does break up what could have been a rather slab-sided vehicle.
The two sliding doors make the Mazda5 look a little more utilitarian than some of its rivals, but it is a handsome vehicle. The new Mazda family face makes it quite striking to look at. We were given the top spec Sport model, but most are likely to be impressed by any level of the interior, given the high quality of plastics used.
This is on paper a seven-seater and the rear-most row of seats are fine, which is not always the case in this segment. In the second row of seats the middle seat can be removed to allow easier access to the third row.
The second row can also slide back and forward, and as a six-seater six adults can easily sit in full comfort. What is perhaps the Mazda5’s unique selling point are the twin rear sliding doors which, in the case of the Sport model, are electrically operated.
These are very handy. For a start they can be opened remotely from the key fob and they can be operated using buttons beside the steering wheel. So you don’t have to get out of the driver’s seat to let older kids in and out of the car.
These doors open very wide giving great access and the nature of sliding doors means that you can park in tight spaces. The electrically-operated doors on the Sport also have a sensor to stop them closing on a child’s hand and will beep if left open when you drive off. With all the seats in place there are 112 litres of boot space, which isn’t much but it will take a pushchair or a suitcase or two. If you fold down the two rear seats this space can expand to a generous 426 litres, or to 1,566 litres with all five rear seats down.
Under the bonnet, the biggest news for Ireland is that there is a 1.6-litre diesel engine that replaces the 2.0-litre diesel – and despite the fact this is a smaller engine, it has 5bhp more. There are also improvements in fuel economy and subsequently, CO2 emissions.
The new 1.6-litre diesel returns 5.2 l/100km compared to 6.1 l/100km from the previous model, and CO2 emissions are 138g/km compared to 159g/km, meaning it sits in motor tax band B, with annual road tax of just €156.
Naturally, it doesn’t feel as potent as the 2.0-litre 140bhp Grand C-Max or Ford S-Max and is about three seconds slower to 100km/h, but we were pleasantly surprised by its ability to power what is a substantial car.
The car feels very well planted on the motorway, and the engine can easily cope with the required cruising speeds. Away from the main roads, the Mazda5 is actually pretty easy to drive around town too, with good visibility all round.
There is a very high quality feel to the Mazda5 overall. The cabin is a little bit bland because of the presence of vast amounts of black plastics, but they are of decent quality. Much is made of the fact that Mazda are a very underrated brand and this is again, another good example of where a model that might not be at the very top of the shopping list in this segment really does deserve to be.
So far this year, Mazda are pulling decent numbers and are now ahead of brands like Seat, Citroën, Fiat, Honda and Mitsubishi and are chasing the likes of Kia and Peugeot. Yet at 2.3 per cent of the market, they probably should be doing a little better.
With the Mazda5 there is evidence that they have the ability to improve and while as an overall package it might not be the best in the segment – that still probably comes from Peugeot with their 5008 or from Ford with their S-Max – this will definitely be among buyers’ favourites. With a keen price for this model, it needs proper attention from families.
Prices start at €24,995 for the Comfort model and there is a €1,000 increase for Executive and another €1,000 for the Executive SE. The model we were driving, the Sport, is €29,995.
Factfile
Engine
1,560cc four-cylinder turbo diesel putting out 115bhp at 3,600rpm, with 270Nm of torque at 1,750rpm-2,500 rpm with a six-speed manual transmission
0-100km/h13.7 secs
L/100km (mpg) Urban- 6.4 (44.1); Extra-urban - 4.6 (61.4); Combined - 5.2 (54.3)
Emissions (motor tax)138 g/km (€156)
Price€29,995