Mazda5 puts the mini back into minivans

Jil McIntosh

SPECIAL TO THE STAR

Many years ago, those needing seating for six had several options: cars with front bench seats, station wagons, or minivans that really were “mini,” a few shorter than some of today’s so-called compact sedans.

With cars now almost exclusively five-passenger, the primary choices are now big minivans or three-row SUVs. Standing almost alone in the “mini-minivan” category is the Mazda5. Temporarily discontinued for 2011, it returns for 2012 with a complete redesign.

It won’t replace the minivan entirely, of course. While the third row isn’t a torture chamber, most adults will scramble to nab the chairs in front, and there’s not a huge amount of cargo space when all three rows are upright. But it could well be the right choice for those who only need to fill it to the gills occasionally, and don’t want to pilot and park a full-size van the rest of the time.

Pricing starts at $21,795 for the GS trim line and $24,395 for my GT tester. That’s for a six-speed manual transmission; a five-speed automatic, as was optioned in my car, adds $1,200. Mine also contained a Luxury Package of leather upholstery, a fold-out cargo table/bin between the second row of seats, and power sunroof for another $1,790. One appreciated and overdue touch: the base trim now comes standard with air conditioning, which was an add-on option in the 2010 version (and how I hate when automakers advertise a dramatically low starting price and then use the fine print to tell you it’ll cost extra to outfit it with a/c, an item almost everyone wants).

Both trim lines use a 2.5 L four-cylinder engine. At 157 horsepower, it’s only a small step up from the 153 horses made by the previous version’s 2.3 L, although torque rises to 163 lb-ft from 148. Fuel economy improves slightly, too. Front-wheel-drive is the default, with no all-wheel option available.

The car’s sharp handling lives up to Mazda’s “zoom-zoom” tag line, including a wonderfully tight turning radius, but the engine is far less sporty. It takes a while to get everything going from a stop, especially if you’ve filled the seats, although it spins along nicely once you get it up to cruising speed. I took three friends for a drive on the back roads around Peterborough, and while none would venture into the third row, they found the first- and second-row chairs roomy, and with enough support to stay comfortable for several hours.

It doesn’t have many rivals in the three-row small-wagon market. All its competitors have seven seats to the Mazda’s six chairs, although that may be a moot point for all but very young passengers – if you think two adults are cramped in those back rows, try fitting three across. Its closest contender is the Kia Rondo, marginally shorter and starting at $23,795 for a seven-passenger model. The Rondo remains one of my favourites, especially if you select the gutsier V6 over its four-cylinder, but it’s an aging design that doesn’t look anywhere as nice as Mazda5’s flowing lines. It also has hinged rear doors. Mazda5’s doors slide like those on minivans, very handy when you’re trying to load people or parcels in a tightly-packed parking lot.

Chevrolet’s seven-passenger Orlando will also be a challenger when it goes on sale in October, ranging from $19,995 to $29,735 and with a 174-horsepower 2.4 L four-cylinder. Choices among other current three-row compact or midsize SUVs are pretty much Dodge’s Journey (starting at $22,370 with seven seats), Mitsubishi’s Outlander ($29,598 and only in 4WD with three rows), Toyota Highlander ($31,675) and Hyundai Veracruz ($32,499). Otherwise, you’re into a full-size SUV or minivan.

My GT came very well equipped: automatic xenon headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, keyless entry, automatic climate control, six airbags, six-CD stereo, Bluetooth and heated seats. There’s an auxiliary jack for an MP3 player, but no USB connector – quite an omission given that they’re now standard on numerous vehicles (you can option an iPod adapter wiring kit for $320, plus $180 for the adapter itself).

There’s plenty of small-item storage, especially with my car’s fold-out cargo table: lift the second-row seat cushions and there are hidden cubbies within, one of which stows away the table when it’s not needed. The middle row slides forward and makes it very easy to get to the third row. With all seats up, the cargo area is 35 cm long. Drop the third row and it’s 95 cm long; fold the second row and it’s 165 cm of completely flat cargo floor.

Overall, the most economical vehicle is the one that’s just enough to do the job. There is a limit to the Mazda5 — don’t expect to pack five friends and their two weeks’ luggage — but it can work well for those who only need to put people in those back chairs on occasion. This car helps put the “mini” back in “minivan.”

2012 Mazda5

Price: $21,795 - $24,395, as-tested $27,385

Engine: 2.4 L four-cylinder

Power: 157 horsepower, 163 torque

Fuel: City 9.7, hwy 6.8, as-tested 9.

Competition: Chevrolet Orlando, Dodge Journey, Hyundai Veracruz, Kia Rondo, Mitsubishi Outlander, Toyota Highlander, full-size minivans

What’s best: Sharp handling, nice ride, sliding doors

What’s worst: Anemic acceleration

What’s interesting: Hidden storage under the second-row seat cushions

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