Skip advert
Advertisement
Car group tests

10. Mazda 5

Mazda 5

With its sliding rear doors and car-like driving experience, the ageing Mazda 5 is still a strong choice in the compact MPV market.

Mazda describes it as a 6+1 seater, with the central middle seat folding away easily to give easier access to the rearmost seats. With these two back seats in place, boot size is restricted to only 112 litres, and the car trails the class leaders when they’re folded away, as it offers 426 litres. But it scores on flexibility, with the middle row seats sliding back and forth, and then folding to give a maximum 1,485-litre capacity.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The 5 is sold only in Venture trim, and prices look expensive. But climate and cruise control, electric windows, Bluetooth and sat-nav are included for the money, while ESP, Isofix child seat mountings and a host of airbags boost safety.

The 113bhp 1.6-litre diesel engine delivers better fuel consumption than the 148bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine (54.3mpg versus 40.9mpg), but neither car has especially low emissions, so road tax bills will be steep. Still, Mazda’s reputation for reliability should mean problems are few and far between.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Ford Capri review
Ford Capri - front

Ford Capri review

This is no sports car, nor even a retro reboot – rather a capable, refined and well-built EV that happens to sport a controversial name
In-depth reviews
29 Oct 2024
New Audi RS 3 2024 review: is there a new hyper-hatch king?
Audi RS 3 - front

New Audi RS 3 2024 review: is there a new hyper-hatch king?

The Audi RS 3 renews hostilities with the Mercedes-AMG A 45, but this time it might just have the edge
Road tests
27 Oct 2024
Hot new Abarth 600e is the performance outfit’s most powerful car ever
Abarth 600e - front

Hot new Abarth 600e is the performance outfit’s most powerful car ever

The fiery electric SUV uses Abarth’s own newly developed e-motor that produces up to 278bhp
News
28 Oct 2024