Vehicle Profile: 2014 MAZDA5

Mazda + Minivan = People-moving pleasure

The vehicle of choice for budget-minded families, the 2014 MAZDA5 delivers style, fuel efficiency and sporty driving dynamics, and you can find yours here at Antelope Valley Ford Lincoln Mazda in Lancaster, California.

Available in three well-equipped trim levels – Sport, Touring and Grand Touring – the MAZDA5 is a versatile compact minivan that offers room for six passengers and the convenience of dual sliding side doors at an affordable price level.

Adopting the Mazda “Nagare” design language, which is inspired by the beauty of nature, the MAZDA5 boasts a unique look that incorporates elegant, flowing lines that create a streamlined visual effect. The same flowing character lines highlight the cabin, as the dashboard design blends seamlessly with the door panels and seat patterns, complemented by tasteful silver accenting.

U.S. News named the MAZDA5 “2013 Best Minivan for the Money,” Autobytel chose it as “2013 Minivan of the Year,” and Kelley Blue Book reviewers noted, “The words "minivan" and "fun to drive" usually don't mix, but the MAZDA5 is an exception."

Smart Powertrain

A 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine motivates this people mover with 157 hp and 163 lb/ft of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is standard in the Sport trim, or choose the available, smooth-shifting five-speed automatic (standard in Touring and Grand Touring). Either way, fuel economy is EPA-estimated at 28 mpg highway.

Benefiting from a four-wheel independent suspension, front and rear stabilizer bars and power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering, the 2014 MAZDA5 reflects the brand’s DNA in its fun-to-drive character and refined road manners. And with standard four-wheel disc brakes and Electronic Brake-force Distribution, the MAZDA5 provides plenty of stopping power.

Clever Interior Packaging

A generous amount of room is available in the MAZDA5, which features two second-row captain’s chairs and a center access to the two-passenger, third-row bench. Up front, the driver’s seat has height adjustment and both driver and passenger get fold-down armrests.

The MAZDA5 offers 44.4 cubic feet of cargo space when the third-row bench is stowed, and even more when the second-row seatbacks are folded down. In addition, with six airbags, child safety door locks, Dynamic Stability Control and Traction Control, the MAZDA5 is a reassuringly safe vehicle for the whole family.

Lots of Equipment

Every version of the 2014 MAZDA5 comes with a long list of features, including automatic climate control, cruise control, a tilt and telescopic steering column, a six-speaker sound system with USB input and steering-wheel controls, keyless entry, variable intermittent windshield wipers and alloy wheels.

The Touring trim adds Bluetooth phone and streaming audio connectivity, rear parking sonar, foglamps and aerodynamic trim, while the Grand Touring packs in leather upholstery, heated front seats, Xenon headlamps, rain-sensing wipers and a power sunroof. A rear-seat DVD entertainment system with remote control and wireless headphones is also available for keeping the kids happy on long road trips.

Best of all, the 2014 MAZDA5 starts at only $19,940, a price that will suit any family’s budget. Bring the family and come see how much fun test-driving a minivan can be in the new 2014 MAZDA5.

Vehicle Profile: 2013 MAZDA5

Minivans offer plenty of versatility, passenger comfort and utility, but being fun to drive isn’t a quality that’s ever mentioned. The MAZDA5 Multi-Activity Vehicle, on sale now here at Antelope Valley Ford Lincoln Mazda in Lancaster, California, delivers all the benefits and practicality of a minivan, together with signature Mazda driving dynamics.

The six-passenger 2013 MAZDA5 starts at an MSRP of $19,940 and is available in Sport, Touring and Grand Touring trims, each piling on extra amenities and comfort. The 2013 MAZDA5 has been named “Best Minivan for the Money” by U.S. News, which also ranks the MAZDA5 ahead of the Nissan Quest and the Chrysler Town & Country in the Minivan category. Consumer Guide noted that the “MAZDA5 deserves consideration as a well-made, sensibly sized wagon that's sedan nimble, minivan versatile, and priced right.”

All MAZDA5 trims are powered by a DOHC 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with Variable Valve Timing and multi-port fuel-injection that produces 157 hp and 163 lb/ft of torque through either a six-speed manual transmission (no other minivan offers this feature) or an available five-speed Sport automatic transmission with Adaptive Shift Logic and manual-shift mode. A curb weight of less than 3,500 pounds––more than 1,000 pounds less than the Nissan Quest SL and the Chrysler Town & Country––helps the MAZDA5 achieve up to 22 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway, five more city mpg than a Town & Country and three more highway mpg than the Quest.

The driving dynamics of the MAZDA5 are second to none thanks to a four-wheel independent suspension featuring MacPherson struts with stabilizer bar in front and a multi-link rear setup with its own stabilizer bar. Electro-Hydraulic power-assisted rack and pinion steering and a tight, 36.7-foot turning radius give MAZDA5 drivers more reasons to volunteer for extra car-pool duty.

All trims come well equipped, starting with the Sport, which features 16-inch wheels; automatic climate control with second row controls; a tilting and telescoping steering wheel with cruise controls; remote keyless entry; a six-speaker audio system with auxiliary and USB inputs; six-way driver and four-way front passenger seat adjustments; and a 50/50-split/fold-down third-row seat. There’s a standard second-row fold-out table with cup holders and storage bin, second-row under-seat storage and under-floor storage in the cargo area, too. Cargo capacity is 44.4 cubic feet behind the second row and up to 97.7 cubic feet behind the first row.

The MAZDA5 Touring adds the automatic transmission to the list of standards, as well as 17-inch wheels, halogen foglamps, side sill extensions and a roof-mounted spoiler. Inside, Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, and a trip computer add some pizzazz. Rear backup sensors are also included, to help make parking easier.

The Grand Touring is the cream of the MAZDA5 crop with heated side mirrors, Xenon High-Intensity Discharge headlamps, rain-sensing windshield wipers and a moonroof on the equipment list. Leather covers the seats, and the front seats are heated. A Rear DVD Entertainment System is available on all trims, and available accessories include cargo nets and covers, a roof rack and remote engine start.

Safety and security are provided by six-airbags, including full-length side curtains, throughout the cabin; Dynamic Stability and Traction Control; four-wheel, four-channel antilock disc brakes with Brake Assist and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution; and a Tire Pressure Monitoring System. In the event of an accident, the Mazda Triple-H body construction, collapsible steering column and side-impact door beams help ensure safety.

The MAZDA5 comes standard with a five-year/60,000-mile Limited Powertrain Warranty, a three year/36,000-mile Bumper-to-Bumper Limited Warranty and 24/7 Roadside Assistance.