Exterior & Styling

The sliding doors say "minivan," but many see the Mazda5 as a wagon. Minivans tend not to set hearts aflutter, but there's one thing I appreciate about the 2010 Mazda5, and that's its styling. It's nothing special, but it's also not the redesigned 2011 Mazda5 that's due at dealerships early in 2011; Mazda has already released photos (click on the thumbnails to the right). The 2011 has a less restrained design, including the smiling grille most new Mazda models get, plus a new characteristic: wavelike accent lines in the bodyside sheet metal. On the upside, the 2011 lowers the taillights and eliminates the clear-lens-over-chrome style, which is outdated at best.

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    How to Use This Manual
    We want to help you get the most driving pleasure from your vehicle. Your owner's manual, when read from cover to cover, can do that in many ways. Illustrations complement the words of the manual ...

    The Inside
    You might be surprised at how accommodating the Miata's two-seat cabin is for taller occupants. I stand 6 feet 1 inch tall and was able to get comfortable in the driver's seat. Someone even a litt ...

    Bottle Holder
    Bottle holders are on the inside of the front doors. CAUTION: Do not use the bottle holders for containers without caps. The contents may spill when the door is opened or closed. ...