Mazda 5 2.0 SportsNav

Would recommend to anyone who wants a MPV several people have seen the inside and have been out fo trip in mine which has led to them buying a MAZDA

I was looking for a 7 seat MPV. Spent a couple of months reviewing and test driving different makes. I needed an MPV that could seat 6 adults in comfort. The Zafira came close, but the price tag seemed a bit steep. The Renault Grand Scenic, VW Touran, Toyota Verso and a couple more, lacked room in the third row. Two adults could not sit comfortably in the third row for an extented journey.

Came across the Mazda 5 by chance. The dealership also sells a couple of Korean brands and I went to look at these. Went into the Mazda dealership by mistake and there it was in the middle of the showroom.

Had a good look around and was very impressed by the overall build quality, but the main feature was that it could sit 6 adults in comfort.

The other MPVs in the class have a 5+2 seating plan. 5 seats in the front 2 rows and 2 occassional seats suitable only for children in the third row. The Mazda is a 6+1. Seating 6 adults, 2 in each of the three rows, plus an occassional child/small adult in the centre of the middle row. The sliding doors open to give a huge opening that makes accessing the third row easy.

I bought the Sports Nav. There are 4 models in the range. The TS is the basic model with the TS2 being a more refined version. Both Have a 1.8 engine and A/C.

The Sports and Sports Nav have the 2.0 engine, plus Climate Control. They also have Dynamic Stabilitly and Traction Control and other upgrades on the TS2.

1.8 & 2.0 diesel version will be available later this year.

I bought the Sports Nav. This is the Top-of-the-range model. Has SatNav and a reversing camera (very handy).

One thing that did surprise me was the road noise at high speed. It's not really that loud, but unexpected, given the overall build quality of the car.

Also, the lack of extras is disappointing. Cruise Control is not available nor quite a few of the extras offered by other manufacturers.

However, with a price tag of less than £18,000 OTR for the top-of-the-range Sports Nav (petrol) it most definately gives Value For Money in my few.

Performance wise, the 2 litre engine is robust and quick. I had the 1.8 TS2 on a 10 day extended test drive over Christmas and that was no slouch either.

The 2 litre is 145bhp and the 1.8 115bhp. Both have a 5 speed gearbox.

The 2 litre diesel is 143bhp and the 1.8 diesel 110bhp. Both diesels are Direct Injection, Turbocharged and have a 6 speed gearbox.

Overall, I am very satisfied with my purchase and would recommend the Mazda 5 to anyone looking for a 7 seat MPV.