I have a confession to make - I was ready to buy my Mazda 5 and was having a bit of trouble picturing myself using the vehicle in a business setting (i.e. - Taking clients out for lunch). While I feel it really shouldn't matter and love the economy and practicality of the 5 - I was forced to choose something else: A Mazda 6 Grand Sport Wagon ($30K MSRP, $25K Out The Door after S Plan Discount, $2500 Rebate, $500 MAC Cash Rebate, $700 Addtl S plan Incentive, No Doc Fees, Including Tax). The vehicle is loaded with leather, moonroof, 18" wheels, Bose Audio, 6 Speed AT, etc, etc, etc.
http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/displayPage.action?pageParameter=modelsGallery&vehicleCode=M6W
After driving the 5 and going immediately into the 6 it was an amazing difference - granted the car stickers at $10K more, so there should be a big difference.
Anyway, it essentially came down to this: I have three kids - they would have great "individual space" (i.e. shoulder room, cupholders) in the 5, My driving position would be a bit cramped but that is ok since you can carry so many in economy. Yet in carrying three passengers in back, you only get half a cargo space (one of the third row seats folded down). So you are trading cargo space for shoulder room. My kids play hockey, so we are always throwing large bags back there and would cutting it close with half of the 5's third row for cargo.
In the Mazda 6 Wagon, you gain an incredible drivers position and seat comfort up front. The back seat seems to fit three across with comfort and has adequate legroom (kids anyway) even with the drivers seat all the way back. I would imagine a 6'5" person would be comfortable driving since I am 6'2" and had leg room to spare. Another plus if is the devoted cargo space (depending upon your needs) which is a big as a Honda CR-V. The most immediately impressive thign about the car is the speed/handlng - it is glued to the road and feels pretty amazing when you speed thru curves and turns. The Mazda 5 is also a great vehicle in that regard compared to other brands but not even close to the Mazda 6 Wagon in terms of total driving feel and power. I suppose much of it is personal preference but when I got into the Mazda 6 Wagon - things just felt right! Sort of like putting on the correct fitting shoes after wearing one size too small forever. Then again, I am coming out of a DCX Pacifica (which is actually a huge car if you look at the specs). The unfortunate thing about the Pacifica and other (three row vehicles) is they tend to steal the space form the drivers legroom and give it to the second row. The Pacifica driving seat comfort and legroom is terrible - the seat feels like you have slipped into the potty and are stuck way down in. And with no telescoping wheel my arms were always bent way in - yet I didn't notice these negatives until I got in the Mazda 6 Wagon. The 5 has about as much legroom as the Pacifica but the telescoping wheel helps to alleviate this a bit.
While I love the 5 and hope to need one someday - I am also hoping the 6 Wagon does the trick for now.
Perhaps the most intriguing thing I discovered about the 6 Wagon was the ability of the car to truly "crossover" (instead of just naming it as such) between SUV like cargo space and sedan like comfort/image. With a roof top box and the rear cargo space, we could literally go on a long vacation and not need an SUV like a Ford Expedition.
I tought I would share these thoughts as it was a very hard decision to come to as I think the Mazda 5 has the edge in gas mileage, reliability, awesome uniqueness and cute/cool appeal.
If you have space/configuration needs that are causing you to question the 5's compatibility with your lifestyle - you need not go out of the Mazda family to find a solution. With the current incentives on the Mazda 6 Wagon you may find it very appealing. At least you don't have to "go over to the dark side" and get a Pacifica - lol.
Other vehicles considered:
Toyota Rav4 2006: Back seat hard to fit three across, good pricing & resale, reliability, great back seat legroom, can't find third row option at any dealers, has that youthful (some would say first gen suv) look with the spare tire on the rear door. Great for those who don't use their car for business entertaining. Aslo has stability control - big plus. Sounds and drives a bit "cheapy" feeling though. I would not call it a "SOLID" feeling vehicle like the Mazda 6 Wagon - maybe it is the fact that Toyota knows exactly how much to cut and where to save sapce and money but retain reliability. Things may appear on the verge of braking in a Toyota, but they seem to hold up well.
Honda Fit: Very neat car with incredible cargo space & quality for a small car, drives great and will fit a family of four but may not work if you have to go on a trip adn the small size worried me in case of an accident with an SUV - regardless of crash ratings - you would be toast.
Nissan Versa: I drove one and was almost fooled by their clever marketing of how the versa is the "large" subcompact with the cheap price. One just need look at the Honda Fit and see that the Honda is the MUCH better vehicle. Nissan is famous for incredible prices and so so quality. This one starts off cheap but can end up as much as a M5 touring and still be half the car (leather, bluetooth and all).
Subaru Outback/Legacy/Forester: Great Cars for up to four people, five is tight. Awsome huge moonroof, reliability, fit & finish, materials, dealers but has that forever SUV/Wagon look. A great vehicle but a bit pricey compared to the Toyota, but looks downright affordable next to the Volvo wagons. Subaru has a much better fit, finish, design/feel to the components than any of the cars I sampled (including honda or toyota). I never considered these cars before but found myself wishing (this is going to sound bad) I had a family of four JUST so I could justify buying one of these. Although I hear the driving expereince in the outback and forester is "ok".
Volvo Wagons V50 & V 70: V50 looks sophisticated but is pretty expensive and rear seat room is tight. Reliability questionable but safety is very good.
Resale seems good to since the V70 Wagons are pricey even used.
Mazda 5: The best all around family car (and best looking except for the Volvo V50 - that thing just looks cool) on the list (except if you want/need the sedan appeal and horsepower)
I hope this helps anyone who has to go through the long search for the "perfect" car even though there is no such thing.
http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/displayPage.action?pageParameter=modelsGallery&vehicleCode=M6W
After driving the 5 and going immediately into the 6 it was an amazing difference - granted the car stickers at $10K more, so there should be a big difference.
Anyway, it essentially came down to this: I have three kids - they would have great "individual space" (i.e. shoulder room, cupholders) in the 5, My driving position would be a bit cramped but that is ok since you can carry so many in economy. Yet in carrying three passengers in back, you only get half a cargo space (one of the third row seats folded down). So you are trading cargo space for shoulder room. My kids play hockey, so we are always throwing large bags back there and would cutting it close with half of the 5's third row for cargo.
In the Mazda 6 Wagon, you gain an incredible drivers position and seat comfort up front. The back seat seems to fit three across with comfort and has adequate legroom (kids anyway) even with the drivers seat all the way back. I would imagine a 6'5" person would be comfortable driving since I am 6'2" and had leg room to spare. Another plus if is the devoted cargo space (depending upon your needs) which is a big as a Honda CR-V. The most immediately impressive thign about the car is the speed/handlng - it is glued to the road and feels pretty amazing when you speed thru curves and turns. The Mazda 5 is also a great vehicle in that regard compared to other brands but not even close to the Mazda 6 Wagon in terms of total driving feel and power. I suppose much of it is personal preference but when I got into the Mazda 6 Wagon - things just felt right! Sort of like putting on the correct fitting shoes after wearing one size too small forever. Then again, I am coming out of a DCX Pacifica (which is actually a huge car if you look at the specs). The unfortunate thing about the Pacifica and other (three row vehicles) is they tend to steal the space form the drivers legroom and give it to the second row. The Pacifica driving seat comfort and legroom is terrible - the seat feels like you have slipped into the potty and are stuck way down in. And with no telescoping wheel my arms were always bent way in - yet I didn't notice these negatives until I got in the Mazda 6 Wagon. The 5 has about as much legroom as the Pacifica but the telescoping wheel helps to alleviate this a bit.
While I love the 5 and hope to need one someday - I am also hoping the 6 Wagon does the trick for now.
Perhaps the most intriguing thing I discovered about the 6 Wagon was the ability of the car to truly "crossover" (instead of just naming it as such) between SUV like cargo space and sedan like comfort/image. With a roof top box and the rear cargo space, we could literally go on a long vacation and not need an SUV like a Ford Expedition.
I tought I would share these thoughts as it was a very hard decision to come to as I think the Mazda 5 has the edge in gas mileage, reliability, awesome uniqueness and cute/cool appeal.
If you have space/configuration needs that are causing you to question the 5's compatibility with your lifestyle - you need not go out of the Mazda family to find a solution. With the current incentives on the Mazda 6 Wagon you may find it very appealing. At least you don't have to "go over to the dark side" and get a Pacifica - lol.
Other vehicles considered:
Toyota Rav4 2006: Back seat hard to fit three across, good pricing & resale, reliability, great back seat legroom, can't find third row option at any dealers, has that youthful (some would say first gen suv) look with the spare tire on the rear door. Great for those who don't use their car for business entertaining. Aslo has stability control - big plus. Sounds and drives a bit "cheapy" feeling though. I would not call it a "SOLID" feeling vehicle like the Mazda 6 Wagon - maybe it is the fact that Toyota knows exactly how much to cut and where to save sapce and money but retain reliability. Things may appear on the verge of braking in a Toyota, but they seem to hold up well.
Honda Fit: Very neat car with incredible cargo space & quality for a small car, drives great and will fit a family of four but may not work if you have to go on a trip adn the small size worried me in case of an accident with an SUV - regardless of crash ratings - you would be toast.
Nissan Versa: I drove one and was almost fooled by their clever marketing of how the versa is the "large" subcompact with the cheap price. One just need look at the Honda Fit and see that the Honda is the MUCH better vehicle. Nissan is famous for incredible prices and so so quality. This one starts off cheap but can end up as much as a M5 touring and still be half the car (leather, bluetooth and all).
Subaru Outback/Legacy/Forester: Great Cars for up to four people, five is tight. Awsome huge moonroof, reliability, fit & finish, materials, dealers but has that forever SUV/Wagon look. A great vehicle but a bit pricey compared to the Toyota, but looks downright affordable next to the Volvo wagons. Subaru has a much better fit, finish, design/feel to the components than any of the cars I sampled (including honda or toyota). I never considered these cars before but found myself wishing (this is going to sound bad) I had a family of four JUST so I could justify buying one of these. Although I hear the driving expereince in the outback and forester is "ok".
Volvo Wagons V50 & V 70: V50 looks sophisticated but is pretty expensive and rear seat room is tight. Reliability questionable but safety is very good.
Resale seems good to since the V70 Wagons are pricey even used.
Mazda 5: The best all around family car (and best looking except for the Volvo V50 - that thing just looks cool) on the list (except if you want/need the sedan appeal and horsepower)
I hope this helps anyone who has to go through the long search for the "perfect" car even though there is no such thing.
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