Mazda5 2009 Review

Editor's note: This review was written in April 2008 about the 2008 Mazda5. Little of substance has changed with this year's model. To see what's new for 2009, click here, or check out a side-by-side comparison of the two model years.

The Mazda5 minivan is fun to drive. That's right: A minivan that's fun to drive. How can this be? The secret's in its size, as the six-person Mazda5 is significantly smaller than traditional minivans.

The benefits of this approach — sporty handling, minimal body roll and manageable dimensions — are readily apparent after only a short time behind the wheel. There are also, however, some significant drawbacks.

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Under the Hood
Tribute buyers get the choice of a four-cylinder or V-6 engine. A manual transmission is standard on the base model, and other models come with a six-speed automatic transmission, which is availab ...

Interior
The CX-9 has front bucket seats, and the 60/40-split second-row seat has room for three. The second row's backrest can recline or fold flat, and the seat can also slide fore and aft to optimize le ...

WindshieldWipers and Washer
The ignition switch must be in the ON position. WARNING. Use only windshield washer fluid or plain water in the reservoir: Using radiator antifreeze as washer fluid is dangerous. If sprayed on t ...