Why MZ5?

[was98strat]

I agree with this. You'll need an Odyssey for your longer hauls, the 5 (or Rav4) will just get by for the short trips and commutes.

I have to admit that the 5 even for long hauls is a bit tight for us. There are 4 of us, 2 adults 1 2.75 year-old and a 2month old. The wife sits in the 3rd row so that she can take care of the2 month old and we can barely fit the gear required for the kids in (including the front seat!) Weekend trip needs the following

stroller
Backpack for parents stuff
bag for Kids clothing and toys
diaper bag
bouncy chair
Pack-n-play

Gets tight pretty quick!

Having said that it makes an awesome car the rest of the time!

 

[mykk]

Wife has a pilot

I agree with this. You'll need an Odyssey for your longer hauls, the 5 (or Rav4) will just get by for the short trips and commutes.

My wife has a pilot, so I don't need to carry all the children al the time, but it would be nice to get them all in the car occasionally. Definitely not a full-time people hauler. Bigger than my Microcompact I'm driving now.

Mykk

 

[mykk]

I think I just have to balance the equation of
handling + sliding doors v/s stability control + more HP. I wasn't sure if there was anything else I was missing. The cars are suprisingly close in size and specs-I thought the Rav would be bigger, but it is within an inch or 2 and weighs less.
My biggest concern for the M5 is that it weighs more than the Rav, has less horsepower, and gets average gas milage for its powerplant.

Mykk

So to sum it up:

1. Handling
2. Sliding doors

These are the two major advantages the Mazda5 has over the RAV-4. I was impressed by the handling when I testdrove the 5. I fell in love with the sliding doors after I took the 5 home.

You should of course testdrive both cars. When you do, you should definitely bring the whole family and pile them in the car. The Mazda5 seats 6 fairly comfortably, but you won't have much room for anything else.

IMHO, with a wife and 4 kids, I would look at true minvans like a Honda Odyssey or Kia Sedona.

 

[PolarBear]

I think I just have to balance the equation of
and gets average gas milage for its powerplant.

Just checked the recent Consumer report magazine real gas mileage

Overall City HWY
Mazda 5 auto 23 16 31
RAV4 auto 23 17 29
RAV4 V6 auto 22 15 29

 

[jandree22]

My biggest concern for the M5 is that it weighs more than the Rav, has less horsepower, and gets average gas milage for its powerplant.

With a 5spd anyway, you'd be surprised how peppy the 5 is. I agree on paper 3400lbs + 153hp = slug, but it's energetic when it hits the pavement. I agree, the gas mileage could be better... oh well.

 

[raspykart]

that gas mileage can't be right... I've seen other long term type reports show 22-25 city, 28-32 hwy, and 25ish overall. 16 city... is that the guy that left it in 2nd gear??

 

[danix]

Highs:
- manual transmission available
- handling
- versatile seating (kids can walk between seats to get to the 3rd row)
- fuel economy
- price, especially on 06 models

Lows
- engine performance (this vehicle begs for the turbodiesel)
- cheapish plastics
- shifter slightly vague at times

I just bought a Mazda5, after looking at everything from the RAV4, CRV, to Pilot, Santa Fe, etc.

 

[raspykart]

I'd say price and gas mileage are the biggest winning factors in those comparisons eh?

 

[PolarBear]

that gas mileage can't be right... I've seen other long term type reports show 22-25 city, 28-32 hwy, and 25ish overall. 16 city... is that the guy that left it in 2nd gear??

I'm getting 19 in city with 5 spd. A lot of short trips and lot of stop and go.
I believe that auto can get as low as 16 but it's the worst case scenario.

P.S. Most of the time I'm in 3rd gear