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 On the upside, the 2011 lowers the taillights and eliminates the clear-lens-over-chrome style, which is outdated at best.

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    Manual Type
    Some models. Manual Type Control Switches Temperature control dial This dial controls temperature. Turn it clockwise for hot and counterclockwise for cold. Fan control dial This dial all ...

    Safety
    Front dual airbags come standard, and side-impact and side curtain airbags are optional. All-disc antilock brakes with brake assist are standard on s models and optional on i models. Traction cont ...

    Practicality
    Cars almost always make you compromise somewhere, and with a small car that can be in its practicality. The Mazda2 is no exception. I'm a bigger guy, and while I didn't feel cramped while driving ...