Official 2011 Mazda5 Thread

[MisterMichigan]

Another shot...

 

[MisterMichigan]

Doh! Just saw the "official" thread in the Lounge!

Never mind!

 

[MisterMichigan]

Well, at least it's not as ugly as the Mazda 3; I guess that's progress. I do like the tailights much better, and the sculpted sides are comme-ci, comme-ca for me. The grill, just the 3, looks like it should have drool dripping out of it. Ugh. Good to see Chris Bangle has found some work, though, even if he has to moonlight under an assumed name...

 

[MisterMichigan]

On the plus side, this should make it easier to deal on a 2010 later this year...

 

[DKaz]

You smiley grille haters say what you want but I like it!

 

[thaxman]

You smiley grille haters say what you want but I like it Painted body color!

There, I fixed that. (lol2)

 

[Hank3]

Bigger pics for t3h lazy...

 

[thaxman]

So the big question is: Did they listen to us? Is there more room behind the 3rd row? Is the power/weight ratio better? I still really like the original taillights. They keep it from being so...so...MINIVAN!
Good thing my 5 still has miles and miles and miles of life left, but if some stupid snowbird hits the gas instead of the brakes in my general vicinity, at least I know I will want the 2011 model instead of looking at something else.

 

[MisterMichigan]

I'm somewhat torn between my head (Mazda5) and my heart (Mazdaspeed3) - both nearly the same dollars, etc etc. This makes it no easier. Now, if they would make a Mazdaspeed5 I'd be writing the check tomorrow....

Of course, now both the 3 and the 5 look like they should have a fishhook sticking out of the grill...

 

[MazdaSpeeder]

I hope it comes with an iron for the wrinkles on the sides...ugh. Otherwise it looks good...

 

[Mazda5wannabe]

I have to say I don't like the new GRIN grille, and the over styled swoops on the sides. The dash is very nice, though. And I count six speeds on the stickshift!

The wraparound rear glass looks nice, but what the heck is that V shaped crease on the hatch? Yuck!

 

[DKaz]

So the big question is: Did they listen to us? Is there more room behind the 3rd row?

Likely not, it's just a restyle. If they managed to add a 7th seat, this may be a moot point. Either way you can always add a roof rack. I really don't want the 5 to get bigger and a lot of us feel the same.

Is the power/weight ratio better?

Same weight, 14 extra HP and 20 extra ft-lb of torque from a 2.5, does that answer your question?

I still really like the original taillights. They keep it from being so...so...MINIVAN!

I like the new tails, it makes the 5 seem less ricey. (drive2)

 

[chief_wiggum]

Not arriving here until next year...

or so says this article from Inside Line...

"There is no firm date as to when it will go on sale in the U.S., but it will be sometime in 2011," Jeremy Barnes, Mazda's U.S. spokesman, told Inside Line in a telephone conversation on Wednesday. "And there is nothing at all I can tell you about the U.S.-spec car [such as pricing or engine choices]. We're a long way from all of that information."

Really, why do we have to be a long way from all that information? That moves it closer to the release of the CMAX and Orlando....

 

[mpvue]

I can live w/ the smiley face, because I like the swoopy sides and the new tails. thankfully, it doesn't look like it got bigger (the door and side glass looks to be the same).

 

[coolmazda5]

or so says this article from Inside Line...
Really, why do we have to be a long way from all that information? That moves it closer to the release of the CMAX and Orlando....

Besides the 2006 MY early lunch (July 2005?) Mazda USA is always leaving the Mazda5 refreshes/new model info to the very end but, I guess we'll have more info around Sep/Oct.

I agree, they need to launch it sooner than later to keep up with the competition...

 

[DKaz]

They're already ahead of the competition. Besides it gives me time to save money, I don't anticipate trading up until early 2012. They should have any bugs worked out by then.

 

[king57721]

Give me back the Touring with MT!!!!! (drive)

 

[monsta]

Let's hope they have the side skirts and rear spoiler on this new model. Looks pretty weak without...kinda like the current model without...

 

[dw8]

What a bummer. It truly looks like a minivan now. All the sportiness is gone. (puke)

 

[njaremka]

Let's hope they have the side skirts and rear spoiler on this new model. Looks pretty weak without...kinda like the current model without...

i would think the NA version would get those. the posted pics are the EU version, and look to be the base-ish model.