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Mazda Mazda5 News & Reviews

   2012 Mazda5 headed to Los Angeles Auto Show

When the next-generation 2012 Mazda5 hits the dealership floor early next year it will have been seven years since the current model

The new Mazda5 pulls styling cues from the Nagare concept. (Photo: Mazda)

arrived on the market with only a minor facelift in between, which is a great deal longer shelf life than most cars enjoy.

Since the 5 first arrived Mazda has overhauled the majority of its lineup to conform to its new Nagare design language, with only the Ford Escape-based Tribute, Ford Ranger-based B-Series pickup truck (and this one is on its way out), and Mazda5 soldiering forward relatively unchanged. The new 5, as seen in these photos, will get the swoopy lines already incorporated into the 3, 6, CX-7, CX-9, and, at least in the grille, the MX-5, which will likely breathe new life into sales.

The Mazda5 has virtually no competitors in the compact mini-minivan segment, which is surprising considering its relative success in a market that is downsizing overall. Most rival automakers offer mini-minivans (or MPVs as they're referred to in Europe) in <Read More>

   2010 Mazda5 Road Test Review

What they need to do, whoever "they" are, is to build a car that can haul like a minivan, is easy and fun to drive while still getting

The Mazda5 is not your everyday minivan. It's compact and therefore much thriftier, but still seats six. (Photo: Mazda)

good fuel economy, and price it within reach of the average customer. That would be perfect. That's what they ought to do.

Have you had this conversation with yourself? Well, don't look now but the "they" you're looking for is Mazda, and the car you're looking for is the Mazda5. Five years after its Canadian introduction, I'm often surprised at how many of my active, stuff-carrying acquaintances who hate their minivans and SUVs are completely unfamiliar with Mazda's micro-minivan.

So for their benefit, and yours, let's introduce you all again.

Known as the Premacy in Japan, the Mazda5 looks at a glance like a 7/8ths scale minivan. The reduced size and weight translate to a much better <Read More>

   2009 Mazda5 GT Road Test Review

I've heard the 2009 Mazda5 called a lot of names, all good ones of course! I've heard it being called the "Mazda mini minivan,"

Mazda's 5... the un-minivan. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

the Mazda "wagon-van", a sport crossover, compact "micro-van" and more. Since people have been name-calling, I decided to join in on the fun. Despite its large and bubbly stature, sliding rear doors and easy accessibility to the second and third row seats, the 2009 Mazda5 is what I call an un-minivan. After all, according to Juliet, "What's in a name?" No matter what name you choose to use when talking about one of Mazda's most affordable and versatile vehicles, it won't change the fact that this un-minivan is a fun and unique car to drive, which is very un-minivan-like.

For the 2009 model year, the Mazda5 essentially remains unchanged since its introduction in 2006. The only update comes in the form of optional equipment. The Leather Package is now replaced by the Luxury package which includes leather seating surfaces with heated front seats and a 6-disc, in-dash CD changer. This package is only offered on the GT trim and costs an additional $1,280.

As luck would have it, my Mazda5 GT came equipped with the optional Luxury Package. I definitely benefited from the heated seats since the winter weather is still very crisp on the West Coast. I've become completely addicted to toasty cushions because they feel so nice on the tush. I also thoroughly enjoyed the convenience of the 6-disc in-dash CD player. I had temporarily misplaced my auxiliary chord and was left with no other option than to listen to my CDs. I know, how awful, but it was easy enough to insert my favourite music with no fuss and go. I later found my chord which I then plugged into the aux <Read More>

   Mazda passes 900,000-unit milestone with MX-5 Miata

While other sports cars come and go, Mazda's MX-5 Miata maintains a steady albeit speedy ascent up the record charts as it adds

Mazda has produced more than 900,000 MX-5 Miatas since 1989. (Photo: Mazda)

yet another milestone mark to its "best-selling two-seat sports car of all time" credentials. The new number is 900,000 units sold, and it's taken the tiny roadster 21 years and 10 months since its April 1989 inception to do so.

"More than 20 years have passed since the first-generation Mazda MX-5 was born," said Seita Kanai, Mazda's executive officer in charge of development. "During this time, society and vehicles themselves have changed significantly. Responding to environmental issues and the depletion of the Earth's natural resources has become increasingly important for all automakers. As part of its environmental efforts, Mazda announced its new SKYACTIV technologies last year. Currently, we are pushing forward with development of future products that will incorporate these technologies. Many of the elements that go into our SKYACTIV technologies, such as comprehensive weight reduction, grew from the long years of development work that have gone into the MX-5. Indeed, the guiding principle behind the SKYACTIV technologies – to build cars that are fun to drive – is perfectly embodied by the MX-5."

While <Read More>

   Weird and wonderful 2011 Mazda BT-50 pickup debuts in Australia

If you want a compact pickup truck for lighter duty hauling there are few options in this country. Toyota's best-selling

Would North American buyers go for a mid-size Mazda pickup? (Photo: Mazda)

Tacoma is more of a mid-size model, as is its Nissan Frontier rival and the once top-selling Dodge Dakota. Honda's unorthodox Ridgeline falls into that category too. No, if you want a compact truck you're going to have to choose between four of the oldest models on the market, the Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon, Ford Ranger and Mazda B-Series.

In reality, these four trucks are actually only two vehicles under the skin. Except for unique grilles and some other trim details the two GM models are identical, and Mazda's B-Series is really a Ford Ranger in drag. Both GM and Ford/Mazda models offer very good value, but compared to their rivals they're showing their age.

Updates to the Ranger/B-Series have been long-expected, being that their current designs date back to 1998, but instead the Ranger soldiers on as is for 2011, its final year, and the B-Series, which was dropped from the U.S. market at <Read More>

   2010 Mazda6 GT I4 Road Test Review

Mazda has used the "Zoom Zoom" tag tirelessly to promote their vehicles.  The emphasis of their marketing has always been

The Mazda6 is a great looking road car with performance characteristics to match its sleek lines. (Photo: Mazda)

that the Japanese automaker manufactures vehicles that offer tons of driving excitement, coupled with sensible value in the form of low prices for their cars.  If you've ever driven a Toyota Camry and a Mazda6 back to back, you'll quickly understand that Mazda's marketing is no mere hype.

The reason is the cars they offer compete well with sports sedans from Europe.  Not quite in the luxury department, but certainly in the performance and handling departments.  Case in point is a recent test vehicle, the 2010 Mazda6 four cylinder.

Four cylinder?  Compete in performance and handling departments?  Surely you jest Brian…

Actually, I'm quite serious.  <Read More>

   2011 Mazda2 Road Test Review

The Mazda2 subcompact has been selling in Europe, Japan and Australia since 2007 and has earned countless awards. It even

The new 2011 Mazda2 gives the Japanese brand a much-needed subcompact model. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

captured the coveted title of 2008 World Car of the Year. And now it's North America's turn to experience Mazda's little subcompact that could.
 
With an eye-catching design and an upbeat personality, it's no wonder why there have been over 400,000 units sold worldwide. Upon first glance at the 2, the most notable feature is its styling. Mazda wanted to stray from the box-like designs that comprise a good portion of the "B" segment cars and design something aerodynamic and sporty at the same time. Well, they did a great job. With shortened body overhangs and trimmed corners, the Japanese auto manufacturer's popular subcompact is, well, compact but also visually appealing. The styling also portrays a sense of motion, even when idle, thanks to its sporty wedge shape and strong shoulder and character lines. And to add more zest to the exterior, there is the choice of seven available colours. <Read More>

   2010 Mazda RX-8 R3 Road Test Review

Mazda's "fun-to-drive" rotary-powered, four-door, four-seat RX-8 sports car first bowed in 2003, and has since won 52 global

One hot four-seat coupe, the RX-8 is totally and completely unique in the sports car market. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

awards.  To date, nearly 158,000 RX-8s have been sold around the world. 

The RX-8 for 2009 evolved further, receiving a freshened exterior and interior design as well as enhanced performance.  Add to those improvements a new R3 model aimed at the true driving enthusiast. 

The design continued to reflect an athletically sculpted exterior with a unique sense of originality, but with restyled front and rear bumpers and front fascia, sporty, LED headlights and taillights and larger exhaust pipes.  A new 10-spoke wheel design was offered in a motif that symbolized the rotary engine.  The "freestyle" four-door design remained with its unique "suicide" rear doors.  The muscular <Read More>

   2010 Mazda MX-5 Road Test Review

Model year 2009 marked the Mazda MX-5's twentieth anniversary.  Although it's seen a few redesigns since its introduction two

Subtle updates to Mazda's now classic MX-5 roadster keep it fresh and current. (Photo: Mazda)

decades ago, the MX-5 (formerly known as the Miata) remains an instantly recognizable automotive icon.  Considering that among cars twenty is well into middle age, if not senior citizen-hood, Mazda's sporty roadster is looking pretty good. 

The MX-5 celebrated its birthday with a total makeover that included new styling, new colours and interior trim, not to mention a stronger, more efficient engine.  With all of those freshened items, the MX-5 cruises into 2010 with only detail changes, keeping it one of the premier affordable roadsters. 

The MX-5's long hood-short deck sports car proportions are classic, and the car's rounded shape is reminiscent of a little speedboat.  New styling elements include a larger, more aggressive cut to the air intake, <Read More>

   2010 Mazda CX-7 GX Road Test Review

"Starting off on the right foot" is an expression I hear a lot. Whether it's in the context of business or personal relationships, or

The 2010 CX-7 is a great looking crossover. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

when it comes to a new year, I find people generally want to put their right foot forward! Mazda rings in the New Year and new decade putting their right wheels forward with the redesigned 2010 CX-7.

This popular-selling crossover SUV sports a fresh and athletic styling update on the inside and out, the latter showing a revised lower front grille, fog lamp bezels and rear fascia. The 2010 CX-7 has noticeably more "bling" than before, which makes it easily recognizable as the latest and greatest from Mazda. What I personally like the most about the new exterior styling, bling aside, are the prominent wheel arches that house new 17" alloy wheels wrapped in 215/70R17 all-season tires. I'm not entirely sure why I fancy them so much, but perhaps it's because they make the CX-7 look more <Read More>