Can you identify this - is it a new Mazda 5?

[wazza]

Saw this in a paper but can not find any details about what it is. is it a mazda 5?

It is from this newspaper http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/carreviews/

[GWDavis281]

The MPV was Mazda's take on mini vans. They are still available in Japan I think. There was rumor that they were gonna make them available once again, but you'd need to check out the MPV part of the forum.

http://www.mpv.mazda.co.jp/?tid=car_a_mpv

Hope this helps, Glenn |B)

[i12drivemyMP5]

It says MPV on the front plate in the pic.

[wazza]

So do Mazda still sell MPV model as well as the 5 model? I had assumed they had changed the name to MPV for some markets. I assumed this is the 5 due to sliding doors etc.

[antlind]

So do Mazda still sell MPV model as well as the 5 model? I had assumed they had changed the name to MPV for some markets. I assumed this is the 5 due to sliding doors etc.

Mazda still sells the MPV in most markets except NA where they cannot compete with the bigger vans offered by their competitors. Toward the end of the run for the previous MPV I believe they only sold a couple thousand a year.
At the moment, this new MPV is being sold with a 2.4L normally aspirated and 2.4L Turbo-charged engines as the only options....i.e., no V-6 being offered yet.
The Mazda5 is one of their global offerings kinda like the '3'.

[coolmazda5]

In summary: Mazda5, Mazda MPV and Mazda Biante: all different Mazda people movers (mini-vans with sliding doors if you like). The mazda5 is the only global model that sells in all markets. No name changes coming from Mazda, except that they call the Mazda5 Premacy in its home market (Japan)

[gpzjack]

If it was available in the U.S i think it would easily be the best looking minivan available, They were giving away mpv's when we bought our 5. Looking back i wish i picked one up for the extra room.

[coolmazda5]

Not in my case, as a matter of fact during the exhaust recall of my 06 concept Mazda5 model (LOL) I got a brand new Mazda MPV as a loaner. Nice 5AT, 6cyl and all the top trim luxuries.

I could feel a big difference in driving (granted, my Mazda5 is 5MT) and overall handling, even to park, tight turns and to drive around to work.

You are right, as per space, it was awesome, but not really needed in my case. I hauled tons of stuff as we were moving into a new place. But in general, the Mazda5 had the right size for us...

Oh, and wife didn't even want to drive the MPV during that time, don't ask (boom02)

[Katner]

I really don't think that's the next gen 5. I'm expecting the 5 to have more swept styling like the new 6.

[P2K]

As everyone stated, that's the Mazda MPV. It was redesigned for the JDM market in 2004. It's only offered in Japan as the Mazda MPV and in Hong Kong as the Mazda 8.

Mazda didn't bring it to the US because they didn't want to have to make it bigger to compete with other manufacturers minivans which were larger, had more interior room, and had a longer wheelbase. So it was replaced by the CX9 in the other markets.

Here's a link to Wikipedia which explains the life of the MPV.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda_MPV

And here's the links to the online showrooms for Japan and Hong Kong.
http://www.mpv.mazda.co.jp/?tid=car_a_mpv
http://www.mazda.com.hk/showroom/m8/mazda8_01.html

It had a slight face-lift in 2008

Pre Face-lift
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a210/P2K/Misc/mpv06_004l.jpg

Face-lift
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a210/P2K/Misc/P1J03673l.jpg

[islandreamer]

It looks more like an extended 09 Maxima or Altima on the front facia. Originality seems to be drifting.