Skip advert
Advertisement

Mazda 5

MPV

You expect high-performance cars to have strong brakes, but compact MPVs need to be able to stop without fuss, too.

As with off-roaders, people carriers have improved dramatically in terms of dynamics over the past few years, and the Mazda 5 is our class favourite. It is genuinely entertaining in corners, with excellent body control, sharp steering and communicative responses. It feels more like a sporty hatchback than an MPV.

Advertisement - Article continues below

This dynamic ability helped it record very impressive stopping distances when we tested it earlier this year. But how does it cope with our more extreme lane change trial?

A 36.7 per cent increase in distance between the straight-line and avoidance tests was the smallest rise among our contenders. There’s plenty of ABS kickback through the pedal in an emergency stop, but braking power is good, and once into the lane change, the Mazda’s positive turn-in and decent front-end grip helped it change direction smoothly.

As our dramatic pictures show, the nose pitches down more than in the BMW and Mercedes, and this weight transfer causes the rear end to go light. Combined with its positive turn-in, this makes the Mazda slide at the rear during the change of direction.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Fortunately, the car’s excellent body control and agile responses mean that corrective steering inputs quickly bring things back into line. Crucially, from Sport trim upwards, the 5 is fitted as standard with stability control, which reduces this tail slide during the avoidance test.

Even so, the Mazda required more driver skill to successfully complete the course and stop within the original lane than all of the cars here, bar the Ka.

In terms of stability, the heavier BMW and Mercedes coped better with changing direction and stopping at the same time, although the lighter Mazda pulled up two metres shorter than the big S-Class in the lane change.

Overall, the 5 impressed us with its braking ability, and it coped with extreme changes of direction very well for a vehicle in this class. Soggy suspension that allows lots of weight transfer is common to some MPV rivals, but the Mazda isn’t blighted in this way.

One negative is that, unlike the other cars in our test, the 5 doesn’t automatically switch on its hazards or flash its brake lights to warn drivers behind of your emergency deceleration.

Apart from that, the Mazda's technology is impressive, with electronic brake force distribution and brake assist both fitted as standard. This is a well engineered and practical family car that's a worthy member of our braking club.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Hot Land Rover Defender Octa in high demand with close to 3,000 orders at £150,000 each
Land Rover Defender Octa - front action

Hot Land Rover Defender Octa in high demand with close to 3,000 orders at £150,000 each

Buyers aren’t being deterred by the hefty asking price for the most powerful Defender yet, with 2,900 already signing up worldwide
News
12 Nov 2024
Mazda CX-60 is now more comfortable thanks to 2025 updates
Mazda CX-60 - front 3/4 static

Mazda CX-60 is now more comfortable thanks to 2025 updates

Mazda’s SUV has picked up some worthy trim and technical updates
News
13 Nov 2024
Car Deal of the Day: premium Nissan Ariya has a 319-mile range for £278 per month
Nissan Ariya - main image

Car Deal of the Day: premium Nissan Ariya has a 319-mile range for £278 per month

The Airya marked a step-change for Nissan and this ‘Sky Pack’ model is our Car Deal of the Day for 12 November
News
12 Nov 2024