2012 Mazda 5 review

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2012 Mazda5 Touring
I have been shopping a car that has some room where I can carry a lot of things. Initially started by looking for the 09 Outback, as I don't like the design of the 2010 and the CVT tranny in the 2010 has been having some issues. For me reliablity was key, as the car needed to be able to handle 20-25K miles a year, haul lots of things (on the inside of the car), and do it with pleasant driving manners. I didn't care for trucks. My initial budget was 20K, but then I went up to 30k.

I looked at Subaru Baja (the thinking man's El Camino), 09 Outbacks, and TSX Wagon. IS300 SportCross was thrown out, because newest one was 6 years old.

I just could not locate a TSX Wagon in the color I wanted. Didn't want boring color ones. So that went out as I really liked the car.

Odyssey and Siena were not considered because didn't want that size of a vehicle, as I need to park in Santa Monica quite often, and didn't want to deal with a "behemoth."

Used Outback prices were equal to 2010 ones, so that went out for me

Friend (GarnetMica) suggested Mazda5. I was hesitant, but I drove their 2010 manual tranny model last year in Boston when they bought it, and it wasn't too bad.

The 2012 has controversial "design," but I wouldn't buy this car for the looks, so that isn't an issue for me, as this was more of a "tool" for home improvement projects and airport runs.

So I decided to rent a 2012 Mazda 5 from Hertz for a week. I had to wait 6 days to get one, as they seem to be in high demand

My rental was a 2012 white Sport (base) model with 3400 miles. I drove it 950 miles during the time I had it, and subjected it to many a trial (from 6 people, to strollers to mulch hauling).


Engine
The car has the 2.5 Motor. Most reviews I read said the car was underpowered and would have tough time on the hills. Driving with me in it, car did 75-80mph fine with no issues. Acceleration was average, and kept up with Los Angeles aggressive traffic without a hitch.

I had the car with 2 people, no issues, and then with 5 people (including me), and went up the grade (Grapevine those of you who are local). The car never felt underpowered (for its purpose) to me. Torque was decent and met all my expectation on its usage.


Transmission
I have driven the manual tranny in the 2010 which is a 5 speed. I have test driven a 2012 with a 6 speed manual, and it was quite satisfying. However, the 5 Speed Auto was great. The tranny never hunted for gears, and it was in the right gear all the time. Those of you who are local, I subjected the car through Lattigo, Topanga, and Malibu Canyon, and this is the ONLY auto tranny I have driven where I NEVER needed to shift it manually. Car really knew what gear to be in at all times. I was very impressed and pleasantly surprised by the transmission.


Interior
The quality of materials in the interior gives away why this is a sub 20k car. The dash is VERY cheap and plasticky. Both front door panels are of the cheapest quality. Worst is the plastic around the tranny surround. It makes late 80s Hyundai Excels seem like Maybachs. Other than that, seats are firm and comfortable and interior controls are all logically and well placed, though material isn't up to par. The steering and shift knob on the Sport model looks cheaper than things on a Ford Ka. Though Touring/GT models offer better steering/shift knob.

The Mazda 5 is definitely a car of compromises. It subscribes to the European theory of making do with what you have instead of the American theory of lets just buy the biggest thing whether we need it or not. So if you have 6 people in the car, the rear "hatch/trunk" space is very very tight. One of the smallest most compact single stroller barely fits back there horizontally. It fits BUT it touches the car end to end. If you put the seat down, of course there is plenty of space. I personally sat in the front seat, adjusted it, sat in the 2nd seat, adjusted it, and I could easily sit in the 3rd seat. Sure I wouldn't want to travel from LA to Phoenix in the 3rd seat, but for trips of 2 hours or less, it is totally manageable.


Dislikes
1) Instrument cluster/Audio-Everything is red lit at night, except speedo/rpm is white. Doesn't work for me
2) Only drivers window switch at night has light on. Nothing else. Hard to find the button at night.
3) Most glaring There is no switch (that I could find) while you drive, to turn on the rear interior lights I think that is a must have
4) The instrument cluster bright/dim button keeps "going and going" you can turn the knob whichever way and it never "stops."
5) No engine coolant temp gauge
6) Transmission shifter selector too low


Overall Drive

So during my test drive, I averaged 27.1 MPG, which I was happy with, and the car takes 87, which is splendid. Given the compromise of the car (you can take lots of stuff, or you can take 6 people, you can't do both), I was lukewarm about the car. I was thinking of going out of state and finding a Outback wagon, even after driving the Mazda 5 for 3 days.

Then I took the Mazda 5 to the canyons, and boy was I sold!! The car had the 205/55/16s on the Sport instead of the 205/50/17s of the other models. But in the canyons, the car REALLY came alive. The suspension was taught, and the car handled and drove excellent. Body roll was to a minimum (relatively speaking), but for the height/weight of the car, it was fantastic.

The car had definitely the best driving dynamic of my choices, and I was thoroughly impressed.

I know Mazda doesn't spend much ad $ on this car, but last 3-4 months in the Mazda commercials you can see a Silver Mazda 5 drifting along with a Miata. Also though people on miata.net hate the 2012 design, it has been an incredible sales success, posting its best sales month last year.

All in all, the 5 isn't for everybody, but if you take the price point into account, the amount of versatility/space you get, the incredible driving dynamics, and overlook the interior quality, the car is definitely a winner

I have pics to show the things I didn't like, but will have to post them tomorrow.
 
This is a quality review 90210! I liked reading the variety of situations you've put the 5 through. And I especially found your feedback on the transmission useful; more surprised actually. Most slushboxes I've used tend to hunt for gears so your findings are most welcomed.

I'm assuming you purchased the Touring or GT model? If so, have you tried the Bluetooth feature? And, may I ask your pretax price?

Thanks an I'm looking forward to seeing pics!
 
This is a quality review 90210! I liked reading the variety of situations you've put the 5 through. And I especially found your feedback on the transmission useful; more surprised actually. Most slushboxes I've used tend to hunt for gears so your findings are most welcomed.

I'm assuming you purchased the Touring or GT model? If so, have you tried the Bluetooth feature? And, may I ask your pretax price?

Thanks an I'm looking forward to seeing pics!

Thank you.

Reason I went with the rental was, I wasn't sure I was going to buy the Mazda5, because my other options initially seemed better. The handling sold me on it, thus I overlooked the terrible interior quality.

I was surprised by the transmission as well. I used the same route in my MINI, Lotus and other cars, and have driven many an auto tranny there. The 5 was the first that picked all the right gears.

I ended up purchasing the Touring model, for the added benefits it had, and the delta in price between Touring and Sport around here was very little. There was only ONE Touring Copper Red locally in a 750 mile radius, and that was my choice. Though it didn't have the sunroof option, it met all the criteria I was looking for.

I have NOT used the bluetooth feature (I take delivery of the new car tomorrow night), HOWEVER, if it is anything like the OEM Bluetooth in my New Miata, it is quite fantastic. I should have tried it before buying, now that you reminded me :D

Pretax price was 19,500. Included wheel locks and the black strip on the rear bumper, between the tailgate, to prevent scratches during loading.
 
Nice review.

I take it this is LS from M.net (if not one heck of a coincidence)? Welcome. I’ve been on M.net for years and must say you have two personalities.

I though your posted a BO of $19000 for the Touring.?. I hope the $500 wasn’t for the wheel locks and the bumper loading guard. Being a Mnetter, you should know Finishline has very competitive pricing for accessories. Anyhow, glad you like the car. I can’t get over the face but look forward to seeing what Mazda can do for the car’s mid cycle refresh + Sky.
 
Yup its LS. I buy everything from finishline. Couldn't get anything at 19K. 19,500 was the best deal around.
 
...I ended up purchasing the Touring model, for the added benefits it had, and the delta in price between Touring and Sport around here was very little...Pretax price was 19,500. Included wheel locks and the black strip on the rear bumper, between the tailgate, to prevent scratches during loading.

If that's including the destination fee, then I'd say you got a very good deal. That's well below the $20,643 invoice for the Touring.

On a minor side note, I was was watching YouTube videos for 2012 Mazda5 reviews and noticed the rear antenna is no longer centered but rather offset to the right. What an odd placement choice IMO.
 
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I read somewhere that the reason the antenna is offset is so its easier to remove. What? How often is it removed?
 
If that's including the destination fee, then I'd say you got a very good deal. That's well below the $20,643 invoice for the Touring.

On a minor side note, I was was watching YouTube videos for 2012 Mazda5 reviews and noticed the rear antenna is no longer centered but rather offset to the right. What an odd placement choice IMO.

It included destination, yes.

The antennae is ugly and silly.
 
tried ordering a cargo cover it comes in black only. car interior is tan. WTF

At least ordered 6 oil filters OEM for 5 bucks a pop
 
The fat average american ain't driving a 5.
I've seen a fat woman (easily 300+ lbs) come out of a del Sol in a casino parking lot, so don’t count'em out just yet. Also, it doesn't matter what they drive, they'll still take it to the drive thru (Micky Ds and car wash).
 
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Not many people in the states know what a Ford Ka is. I have seen a lot of them on the road in the UK but not driven one.
 
Well we have 3400 miles on our 5 so far. Averaging 27MPG. It has been fantastic, all the bugs have been worked out. Loving it!
 
"5) No engine coolant temp gauge"

This was my single most biggest complaint. I had this same issue with my previous car, the 2006 New Beetle TDI. So I added a New South Coolant Gauge. I did not feel like adding similar gauge to the 5 so I just ordered a ScanGauge E from Amazon for $95. It will install left of the steering column in a little storage space. I will cut some material to make it blend in like it came from the factory. Problem solved!
 
Well we have 3400 miles on our 5 so far. Averaging 27MPG. It has been fantastic, all the bugs have been worked out. Loving it!

What 'bugs' have you had to deal with, in a nutshell?

"5) No engine coolant temp gauge"

This was my single most biggest complaint. I had this same issue with my previous car, the 2006 New Beetle TDI. So I added a New South Coolant Gauge. I did not feel like adding similar gauge to the 5 so I just ordered a ScanGauge E from Amazon for $95. It will install left of the steering column in a little storage space. I will cut some material to make it blend in like it came from the factory. Problem solved!

Whoa, that Scangauge E looks pretty cool!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/ (commissions earned)

Are you going to hardwire it into the OBD line or just leave it plugged in? Hopefully there's space behind the dash to hide the 6' cable.
The ultimate setup would be an aftermarket replacement console with ~7" LCD screen for NAV, backup cam, DVD, or customizable display for engine data.

I also miss a coolant gauge, the little blue thermometer light that goes out when it's up to temp (red one for high temp) are barely acceptable replacements. But I suppose it's like a glass cockpit in a modern plane: only showing you what you need to know.

The ScanGauge E will tell you:
- Fuel economy (MPG or liters/100Km)
- Fuel rate (GPH or LPH)
- Ignition Timing (before and after TDC)
- Manifold pressure (not available on some vehicles)
- Tachometer (RPM) - accurate to within 1 RPM
- Engine load
- Throttle position
- Digital speedometer (MPH or KPH adjustable for tire size or gearing changes)
- Battery voltage (reads to 0.1-volts)
- Coolant temperature
- Intake air temperature
- Open/closed loop
- CO2 (displays current and trip CO2 production)
 

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