MotorTrend tests the 2014 Mazda5 Sport 6M

[Orangutan]

First Test:
2014 Mazda5 Sport Manual Transmission
Delaying Evolution


Read more: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests...manual_transmission_first_test/#ixzz393hhTv4O

 

[cburrell]

Well, they pretty much slammed it, but I didn't expected much from a vehicle that was only minorly tweaked in 2012. I am ok with it, Toyota is the masters of riding out old architecture and platforms for four and five generations before seriously overhauling many of their vehicles. Of course, most of the auto mags slam them for it as well, it doesn't seem to hurt Toyota's sells though. I wish Mazda had that luxury. Small company, in the process of updating their whole line up, and they get slammed because the 5 and the CX-9 is outdated technology. They aren't a big company like Toyota, they are working on their vehicles one at time, they aren't miracle workers. It just seems like people tend to be way more forgiving of Toyota riding out there old outdated technology for years, and Toyota has no excuse, they have the size and the cash to be on the cutting edge of technology with all of their line up, they are just cheap and lazy.

 

[maykelcj]

I just hate how they complaint about "tech". The way I see it, more gadgets are more things to go wrong.

 

[cburrell]

I just hate how they are as hard on the little guy ( Mazda ) as they are on the big guys like Toyota. I feel leeway should be given to the small guy when they ride out a platform for multiple generations because their pockets for R&D are no where near as deep as the big boys. In my opinion Toyota, Ford ( is still riding out old motor platforms like the MZR and Duratec engines via direct injection and throwing turbos on them), and Honda, should be held to higher standard when they do it, because they have the money to stay on top of the latest technology across their whole lineup, but just are to comfortable and complacent to care. Mazda just doesn't have the capital to do so, big difference between the two.

 

[Kojack]

I take anything with a grain of salt with magazines anyways. C&D, if it don't have a 1000 hp or a spinning prop logo on the bonnet its crap., motor trend, if its not from ford or Toyota it's crap, automobile is one of the fair'er mags out there. but the best review is YOURS. go drive them and see what you like. Going by the reviews of the magazines I would still own my CTS. In reality, it was a piece of crap. and our mazda 5 was twice the car both in handleing and fit and finish.

Our 5 is a little long in the tooth now, but im in the process of freshening up the suspension etc in it and getting back to new. We were looking at trading it in, but decided to keep it and give it a refresh, and new look. Adding a new roof rack, wheels and paint to keep it fresh.

 

[ROBOTO]

Hello everybody. I am the new guy here. Couple of comments.


The writer of this review is confused (what else is new at Motor Trend?) in the sense that the car excels in doing what it is supposed to do for its target market. It really is an excellent vehicle. The problem is, this target market is shrinking in North America, and the 5 seems to be neither here or there.

Look at the comments posted below the article: people focusing on the performance, power, or space compared to a minivan, CUV, or SUV. This car is not trying to compete against those! I think there are less and less people in this target market that can use and enjoy this car to its fullest potential. Everybody wants an SUV or a compact SUV or a crossover, even if the utility they offer is less than the Mazda5.

About me: I sold my 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid last month and got a new 2014 Mazda5. I am in the process of adding some accessories to make it more to my liking.

 

[Mopho]

I take anything with a grain of salt with magazines anyways. C&D, if it don't have a 1000 hp or a spinning prop logo on the bonnet its crap., motor trend, if its not from ford or Toyota it's crap, automobile is one of the fair'er mags out there. but the best review is YOURS. go drive them and see what you like. Going by the reviews of the magazines I would still own my CTS. In reality, it was a piece of crap. and our mazda 5 was twice the car both in handleing and fit and finish.

As someone who has done work for all of the major buff books I have to say that is a bunch of "crap"

But you are correct that the best review is going to be your own


BTW, one of the editors at C/D talked me into buying the 5 and over the years he got several other friends to buy one too.

.

 

[tuanies]

I found the review fairly neutral. The 5 is a car that has great driving dynamics but average or lacking everywhere else. However, its an affordable car that can fit 6, but if you really need space, its hard to beat the Dodge Grand Caravan AVP which offers the same features, maybe not HID's and leather, but manual sliding doors, 3-zone climate control, more space, etc...for either cheaper or not much more. So unless you really appreciate the driving dynamics or small size, the 5 is a terrible car to buy for a family of more than 4.

 

[90210]

I found the review fairly neutral. The 5 is a car that has great driving dynamics but average or lacking everywhere else. However, its an affordable car that can fit 6, but if you really need space, its hard to beat the Dodge Grand Caravan AVP which offers the same features, maybe not HID's and leather, but manual sliding doors, 3-zone climate control, more space, etc...for either cheaper or not much more. So unless you really appreciate the driving dynamics or small size, the 5 is a terrible car to buy for a family of more than 4.

Are the caravans are reliable as the mazda 5?

 

[Silentnoise713]

It’s not so much “Motor Trend’s” review but rather what that particular author has to say about the car in a piece for MT. I’ve been a long time MT subscriber and their new flock of authors/editors SUCK. There are only a few I find worth reading (or reading into). Also, since the new Editor in chief took over a few years back, that mag is slower going downhill IMO.

The Mazda5 is NOT a GREAT car or some secrete hidden jewel that no one else can see. In its current form it is great for some but not for most (purely my opinion).

 

[Vasy]

Well, they pretty much slammed it, but I didn't expected much from a vehicle that was only minorly tweaked in 2012. I am ok with it, Toyota is the masters of riding out old architecture and platforms for four and five generations before seriously overhauling many of their vehicles. Of course, most of the auto mags slam them for it as well, it doesn't seem to hurt Toyota's sells though. I wish Mazda had that luxury. Small company, in the process of updating their whole line up, and they get slammed because the 5 and the CX-9 is outdated technology. They aren't a big company like Toyota, they are working on their vehicles one at time, they aren't miracle workers. It just seems like people tend to be way more forgiving of Toyota riding out there old outdated technology for years, and Toyota has no excuse, they have the size and the cash to be on the cutting edge of technology with all of their line up, they are just cheap and lazy.

I don't agree. They has 5 in Europe and Japan already updated with new technology, engine tranny , options. They just too lazy to bring it in, it is not that expensive to pass the test to bring it in here. Sure it will cost a car or two to crush and some fees, but it is not like Mazda can't afford them, it is not like that need to build a new car or anything. They just abandoned the 5 for now as in they don't care.

 

[tuanies]

Are the caravans are reliable as the mazda 5?

Beats me. Our VW cRoutan hasn't had too many problems minus the warped rotors that the dealership replaced at 18k or so. They warped at 15k. It eats brakes due to being undersized, they fixed it in 2012. Otherwise we haven't had any problems and the Pentastar is a solid motor.

 

[Rally Man]

What made you go with the Routan instead of the Caravan?

 

[Davicho]

What made you go with the Routan instead of the Caravan?

I'm going to answer for him and say probably looks and interior finish and materials used. By far the Routan looks better in the exterior then the Caravan and the Routan has far superior interior fit and finish too. If I had to choose from either (although I wouldn't take either in reality) I'd also go the VW route as well.

 

[monotone]

I have a really long commute, and besides the road noise, I love my 5. Got it because of the sliding door + 6MT combo. After 3 years in an Odyssey, the 5 feels fantastic. I love it more than any other vehicle I've owned - including a 2003 Audi A3 6MT. It's not great on test tracks, but it feels great on real roads. The tail might not swing out eagerly enough to score big in handling tests, but on highway ramps with bumps and pot holes it doesn't skip around and upset the tracking. Perfect balance between comfort and handling performance. And I routinely got 30 mpg on highway. Combined mileage has never fell below 27. Good enough that I don't need to consider a smaller car to save gas. Magazines usually don't review this vehicle in its intended habitat - real roads and highways instead of smoothly paved race tracks.
On the low side: cheap materials and loud road noise. Everything, though very well put together, feels flimsy and thin. Driver chair cushions started to squeak and groan, and I'm a skinny guy. The stock Bridgestone Turanza's were noisy but IMO still better than the Pirelli P7 set I got to replace them. At least the Turanza's had tougher sidewalls, making them feel much more confident in corners. Agree with tuanies that if you regularly need more than 4 seats, it's not an ideal vehicle for you. The back seats are barely useful.

 

[cburrell]

I don't agree. They has 5 in Europe and Japan already updated with new technology, engine tranny , options. They just too lazy to bring it in, it is not that expensive to pass the test to bring it in here. Sure it will cost a car or two to crush and some fees, but it is not like Mazda can't afford them, it is not like that need to build a new car or anything. They just abandoned the 5 for now as in they don't care.

Have you seen Mazda's sales numbers in the last couples of years in North America for the 5. It is by far their lowest volume seller in the states, it is in a niche market where there isn't any real demand for it in the US. The reason they offer updated versions of the 5 in Japan and Europe, is because they sell a lot more 5's in those markets, and those markets have a demand for them. With the rise in popularity amongst soccer moms for small and mid size CUV's, there is virtually zero market in this country for what the 5 is. hence why Mazda is the lone automaker in the microvan segment. There is a reason why Ford doesn't offer the regular C-Max in the states. If there was a demand and market for the microvan in the US, all the other major auto makers would have already swept down on it like a pack of vultures. So, I don't blame Mazda for not offering the most technologically advanced Mazda 5 to the U.S. , because it is a losing economical proposition for them. They already don't make money on the 5 in the states as is.

 

[Davicho]

because it is a losing economical proposition for them. They already don't make money on the 5 in the states as is.

I beg to differ in your last sentence brother. It is NOT a loosing proposition for Mazda. It is simply one that they don't care to spend money on. Since Mazda knows that the micro-van sector is solely a small niche. They choose not to invest developing and advertising money on it and they don't. However, it is certainly not a loosing proposition when all they have done is just piece our US version Mazda5s together from an already existing parts bin (Mazda3 chassis, the global Mazda5 body, an old MZR power plant, etc) at no cost to enhance or even promote it. So essentially even with the small amount of units sold they are still making money because no extra money is being utilized to R&D a new improved version nor advertise it. So why not make a little chump change on the side to help with their other mainstream offerings such as the the entire line up minus the Mazda5? Now whether they continue to offer it to us here in the States is yet to be seen.

 

[tuanies]

I'm going to answer for him and say probably looks and interior finish and materials used. By far the Routan looks better in the exterior then the Caravan and the Routan has far superior interior fit and finish too. If I had to choose from either (although I wouldn't take either in reality) I'd also go the VW route as well.

That and we picked up an SE with navigation and dual rear seat entertain displays for $29,500 + 0% for 72 months, down from the $37k MSRP.

The leatherette on the VW is easier to clean and the middle row seats aren't stow and go so they are bigger with more support.

 

[90210]

One of my FAVORITE things about the Caravan rental we had in 2012 was the Stow and go in the middle. It allowed us to have 7 adults, and put luggage in the stow and go area behind the driver seat.

 

[Clicky]

One of my FAVORITE things about the Caravan rental we had in 2012 was the Stow and go in the middle. It allowed us to have 7 adults, and put luggage in the stow and go area behind the driver seat.

Yeah very nice feature for sure. I really liked it as well when I rented one a few years back

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