Exterior & Styling

If it weren't for its sliding rear doors, the Mazda5 would undoubtedly be considered a hatchback rather than a minivan. Mazda says sliding rear doors offer easier access to the second- and third-row seats, and are easy to open in tight parking spaces (not to mention less likely to ding other cars when they're thrown open by exuberant kids on a trip to the mall).

Though it retains the basic shape of a large minivan, the Mazda5 looks sporty nonetheless. It features a raked windshield; an aggressive front end that's been restyled for 2008 with a new grille, headlights and bumper; a tapered roofline; and standard 17-inch alloy wheels. There are also new taillights for 2008, but the additions don't markedly change the van's appearance (see a side-by-side comparison with the 2007 model).

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    Keys
    WARNING: Do not leave the key in your vehicle with children and keep them in a place where your children will not find or play with them: Leaving children in a vehicle with the key is dangerous. ...

    Sunvisors
    When you need a sunvisor, lower it for use in front or swing it to the side. Side Extension Sunvisors The visor extender extends the sunvisor's range of sun shading. To use, pull it out. CAU ...

    Beep Sounds
    Air Bag/Front Seat Belt Pretensioner System Warning Beep If a malfunction is detected in both the air bag/front seat belt pretensioner system and the warning light, a warning beep sound will be h ...