The European C-MAV segment is not renowned for products with eye-catching designs. In 2005, Mazda 5 bucked this trend by introducing a stylish, sportier exterior that stood out in the crowd of look-alike mini-vans - with a dynamic wedge-shaped form, strong front end and arched roofline, and a rear end tapered slightly inward. Now the Mazda 5 facelift enhances the vehicle's unique image even further with fresh updates to its strong design and a Sports Appearance Package that is even sportier and more distinctive than before.

Mazda 5 facelift has a design that targets customers looking for a balanced exterior that hints at the vehicle's fun-to- drive character. It features a new front bumper design that makes the car look lower and sleeker, a new underspoiler for a touch of performance, and a larger integrated housing for the front fog lamps that gives the nose a powerful look. The headlamps have a new silver bezel design and a new textural finish at the edges for a look of high quality. These frame a more clearly-defined Mazda five-point grille with a new sporty-looking honeycomb mesh. Auto-levelling xenon headlamps are available as option. At the back, the standard version has new rear combination lamps that are vertically divided for a fresh, two-colour effect.

A Sports Appearance Package is also available, and designed to appeal to Europeans looking for a dynamic compact MAV in a sporty suit of clothes. It features an updated winged grille design, a new front bumper design with front spoiler (making the vehicle 10 mm longer than the previous Sports Appearance Package version and 60 mm longer than the regular Mazda 5 facelift) and pointed fog lamp housings for a more aggressive road presence compared to the regular version. The silhouette is also sportier with side sills that make the car appear lower and a subdued rear roof spoiler. The front lamps and special 12 LED rear lamps have black bezels for an even more dynamic appearance.

The individuality of both appearance packages is further enhanced by new 16 and 17-inch alloy wheel designs , along with 11 exterior colours - including seven new colours called Icy Blue, Stormy Blue, Aurora Blue Mica, True Red, Copper Red Mica, Crystal White Pearl and Golden Sand Metallic. The latter has changing nuances depending on light conditions.

On the inside, Mazda 5 facelift still has the same stylish interior designed around an open, communicative space where up to seven people can travel in comfort. The updated interior is now a touch more distinctive with two new black trim packages (depending on grade) with higher-quality seat materials. A new centre panel , either titanium look or black, is introduced. Black leather seats are now available as an option.