I really enjoy owning my Mazda5 but, (and I've posted a similar comment in another thread), regarding buying a brand new 2015 model... you're actually buying a 10 year old chassis and safety design... in 2015. This car was built to handle the crash tests of 2005... not 2015.
The problem going forward with this car is that as crash testing has become more stringent, and as a result automakers are making safer cars... the Mazda5 is now starting to fall way behind. The over 10 year old chassis design is really starting to show it's age in crash testing and against redesigned competitors. I don't think I'd buy a brand new car with a "Poor" rating in the "small front overlap" test and a "Marginal" rating in the "side impact" test. These really are not good for a car designed for families in 2015. It has lost it's Consumer Reports recommendation because of this...
http://goo.gl/TLMkL4
So a full chassis redesign is needed and you'd think it wouldn't be too expensive or difficult because of it's extremely close ties to the Mazda3. The 2015 Mazda3, by the way, because of it's significant chassis redesigns has achieved top results of "Good" in all tests and is a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS. The same can be said of the CX-5.
As a further comparison, a Ford C-Max received "Good" in all of it's tests except the small front overlap where it still achieved a respectable "Acceptable"
Then it's lack of even the Skyactive engine treatment makes it's engine design quite old as well... and so it's fuel consumption is surprising to shoppers who see a smaller vehicle but not much to gain in fuel consumption.
To me a 2015 Mazda5 is a poor buy. Don't get me wrong, I love the Mazda5 and still love mine... but due to all the above, there's no way I'd spend new car money on a new one. But then the bigger problem is... what car would I buy!!?? Unfortunately, I don't have an answer... Which is also why, for now, I'm stuck driving my 2007 into the ground