Mazda5 vs. Mazda6 hatchback

[simonsez]

All right guys, heres my dilemma, my wife and I are seriously considering moving from a 05 Accord Sedan to either a 5 or a 6 5-door (hatchback).

We currently have a 1 year old girl and planning on having a second (and last) child in a year or two. What we are primarily aiming for is more utility, we frequently go on weekend trips and small vacations. Both our parents live about 5 hrs away. I do like my manual 4 cyl Accord for its combination of ride/handling/performance and fuel economy but I find that when we pack it up to go on these excursions I would appreciate more room for cargo, the stroller, luggage, toys and whatever else we bring along always seem to fill the Accords trunk pretty quick!!

This is why Im considering a 5 or a 6 hatchback, I know the 6 wagon would be the better choice but I really want to stick to a 4 cylinder. Fuel in Canada aint cheap!!

For those that have owned or driven both of these 2 vehicles, which one would fit my needs better if what Im looking for is primarily more luggage space. Also, for those would I notice a significant difference coming from an Accord Sedan? Id like to see the pros and cons of both

Thanks for all the feedback.

 

[MD5]

First, my apologies for not being able to make a comparison to the 6, but I do own a 5. I have had the 5 since April 17th and have 7,000 miles on her.

We've made 2 trips from DFW (Texas) to Central Kansas and the 5 is a great vehicle. We averaged between 24 and 28 mpg (depending on speed, traffic, and we had a horrible headwind). I absolutely love the 5 for short trips (we also have a diesel Ford Excursion which we have made 1,500 mile (each way)).

I have not driven the 5 through the mountains, but I have found that it has ample power on the highway. We even fell in a caravan that averaged quite a high speed for over 30 miles, and the 5 is VERY stable.

I would by the 5 all over again. I can afford a more expensive car, but I'm almost 40 and have no desire to impress anyone. In my opinion, the 5 is the most practical vehicle on the market PERIOD. I have a 7 yoa and 10 yoa child, and they both are very comfortable in the 5.

Matt

 

[opus]

If you are really worried about a changing of vehicle dynamics, then you should go with the 6. If you really want a new experience, with more cargo room, then you will want to go with the 5. I own a 5 and the flexibility and usefulness is just amazing. It is the best all around combination of fuel economy, cargo capacity, passenger capacity, and performance available in the US market at this time. Enough of the back patting and self congratulation. The 5 will be a totally different driving experience, and if I were you I would take one for at least a two hour test drive to make sure it is an experience you would enjoy. Either way, best of luck!!
Opus

 

[was98strat]

All right guys, heres my dilemma, my wife and I are seriously considering moving from a 05 Accord Sedan to either a 5 or a 6 5-door (hatchback).

We currently have a 1 year old girl and planning on having a second (and last) child in a year or two. What we are primarily aiming for is more utility, we frequently go on weekend trips and small vacations. Both our parents live about 5 hrs away. I do like my manual 4 cyl Accord for its combination of ride/handling/performance and fuel economy but I find that when we pack it up to go on these excursions I would appreciate more room for cargo, the stroller, luggage, toys and whatever else we bring along always seem to fill the Accords trunk pretty quick!!

This is why Im considering a 5 or a 6 hatchback, I know the 6 wagon would be the better choice but I really want to stick to a 4 cylinder. Fuel in Canada aint cheap!!

For those that have owned or driven both of these 2 vehicles, which one would fit my needs better if what Im looking for is primarily more luggage space. Also, for those would I notice a significant difference coming from an Accord Sedan? Id like to see the pros and cons of both

Thanks for all the feedback.

We test drove both the 6 wagon and the 5 hatch back... Originally I was more interested in the 6 than the 5. It bests the 5 in a number of ways (power, acceleration,style) , but the 5 is far more versatile than the 6 ( try loading an entire twin bedroom suite from Ikea in the 6 with a car seat still installed in the second row!!!) . Once you experience loading kids into the vehcile with sliding doors. That wins the day hands down!! The sliders make the car far simpler to use! getting stuff in and out is a breaze. The Engine isn't bad, just don't expect to drag anyone!!!

 

[02PROTEGE2.0]

buy a protege 5....

 

[jandree22]

Get the 5. If you're planning on having only 2 kids, it'll be 2 + 2 seating (they each get their own seat, mind you). Then you can keep the back row of seats permanently folded down and you have 44-friggen cubic feet of cargo room! And it's usable room too... wide open and to the roof.

I agree with the comment about the feel of the 5. It's a very unique type of driving feel, unlike any other car. It sit's slightly higher than a car like you might expect, but the ride is the quality of a small car... which can be unexpected.

In the end, I feel the 5 is the match for your needs. Best advise I can give you is test drive them back to back. Good luck

 

[Zoom5Zoom]

In the next 3 years you going to have anymore kids???

If so get a 5 as the toys get bigger as they get older. As for the seating 5 seats just don't push it today like the 6 sport..... 5 can take you, your kids and your in-laws in one car.

As for you kids friends the 6 is dead meat for space in the long run.....JMO I only know both cars really wellllllllllllllllllllllllll.....

 

[exman]

Personally I have 3 kids and they do not see my car to often but when they do it is fabulous. 3 across the back of the HHR I brought home was terrible! Since you don't mind getting a 5 speed the MZ5 is even better I bought a AT and the car is screaming for a 5th gear.

The almost modular seating pattern is the most unique part about the SPACE WAGON. transtioning from me putting garden supplies to kid hauler and back to utility vehical is so fast in comparison to our Plymouth voyage with it's 80lb take out and store in a large area seats it is amazing.

If you want to pull a trailer don't get the 5 though. I wanted to and didn't research it so now I will be adding a hitch to our V6 voyager instead. I hope soon more/better options for the roof rack will come out as the european rails are sharp and the Northamericans options are utilitarian at best.

All in all I love the MZ5 because of flexibility. The dynamic seating cannot be beat. Looks wise it makes my Voyager look like dog crap. Nice drive and great handling with the SAFETY Features that I am looking for in all my next cars for the wife and I. Later on when the boys are older carrying them with all their sports gear will be a snap this will definately be the car for me for the next 10 years ( I keep cars a long time now a good investment when buying brand spankin new!) I wish it got better mpg 28MPG on the highway is better than stated but far from what it could be if it had a 5th gear on the AT.

 

[Kid Red]

2 kids equals sliding doors. 1 kid, or older teens, then I'd go with the 6. We have just the one vehicle, the 5, however if we ever went with a second car, it would be the 6 wagon.

 

[mazdaFIVEmike]

Couple of things to consider, seeing that you only have 1 child right now. When you have 2 and the kids car seats are in the back. Its tough to squeeze in an extra body if someone is visiting. And if that person has a skinny enough butt to fit between the car seats its usually tough to climb in there.

The versatility with the 2+2+2 seats in the 5 is awesome. We have had the 5 for just about a year now and love it. We originally were going to buy the 6 wagon sport with a V6 and now that gas has gone to Mars I'm glad I went with the 5.

We have used every combination of seat arrangement you can imagine for long trips, camping trips and just plain trips to Home Depot. You won't regret buying the 5.

Do we all get a commission if you do go with the 5!! lol

Good Luck with your decision. It was a quick one for us! Not to mention the styling is kick-ass!!!

 

[mazdaFIVEmike]

Couple of things to consider, seeing that you only have 1 child right now. When you have 2 and the kids car seats are in the back. Its tough to squeeze in an extra body if someone is visiting. And if that person has a skinny enough butt to fit between the car seats its usually tough to climb in there.

The versatility with the 2+2+2 seats in the 5 is awesome. We have had the 5 for just about a year now and love it. We originally were going to buy the 6 wagon sport with a V6 and now that gas has gone to Mars I'm glad I went with the 5.

We have used every combination of seat arrangement you can imagine for long trips, camping trips and just plain trips to Home Depot. You won't regret buying the 5.

Do we all get a commission if you do go with the 5!! lol

Good Luck with your decision. It was a quick one for us!

 

[meackerman]

We just traded in our 05 Accord for the 5, if the 5 was available when we bought the Accord we wouldn't have bought the Accord. My wife loves the 5. We just got back from a 1200 mile trip through northern california and southern oregon (didn't see a single Mazda5 during the trip, though we had a few people checking out our 5 when we stopped). Up through the sierra nevada mountains and down along the california coast. The 5 was great, we got all our stuff in the back along with food for the 4 of us (2 adults, 2 kids aged 4 & 6) and all of it under the cargo cover.

On the uphills we spent some time in 3rd gear (we have the AT) and a few vehicles passed us, but I never felt like we were struggling up the hills. We passed most of the cars on the downhills, and were constantly catching people on the windy coastal roads. The 5 was fun to drive.

I haven't driven the 6 so I can't say anything about it.

 

[martman]

I have a family of four. My wife and I and a 15 yr old and a 2 yr old. We also went from a Toyota Matrix (too small and cramped) to an 05 Toyota Sienna (too big) to now a 5 GT. When we had the Sienna, we really appreciated the space and power. I found though that about 75 - 80% of the time, it was just my wife and I or my 15 yr old and I as I brought her to school in the van. Not to mention, the Sienna being heavier was a touch heavier on gas as well.

I have not regretted going for the 5 (just the right size) for the size of my family. We all have the comfort of individual seats (especially still having my son in a car seat) and having the option to expand cargo capacity when needed. In the process of convincing ourselves on which car to get, we test drove the Mazda 6 wagon, and Toyota RAV4. In our minds, for versatility, comfort and convenience, the 5 wins hands down. The sliding doors on the 5 vs. either the 6 or the RAV is another great feature.

Lastly, having a young family, the safety features on the 5 GT (side airbags, standard ABS with EBD, etc) was the major clincher. PLUS for the price, the others just pale in comparison to the 5.

I have found too that oddly enough being a staunch Toyota and Honda guy previously, that Mazdas are acutally put together better than the Matrix and Sienna. The Matrix did not have enough insulation IMO, which made it a noisy ride. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the Matrix especially since I had the 6 speed XRS version. The Sienna I guess to keep costs down just felt bare and under optioned in certain areas (we had the CE model).

The 5 though feels a lot more solid, and have all these underside covers, etc. throughout the car that also aid in the aerodynamics of the vehicle. Some of these touches are what you'd normally see in BMW's and Audis.

Hope that helps.

 

[simonsez]

Thanks for all the great feedback guys, really appreciate it, I find this forum so informative, nothing like getting information from actual owners.

Meackerman, you had the exact same car (05 Accord) that I currently have. Do you find that you can cram in more stuff in the back of the 5 (with 3rd row folded) than in the trunk of your Accord? Also, what has been your mileage compared with the Honda?

Thanks again.

 

[jmcglynn]

To add my two cents (US or Canadian)...
We felt we were outgrowing our Ford Escort wagon so we were seriously looking at the Mazda6 wagon before we settled on the Mazda5. We have two girls, ages 5 and 2. Plus my wife has family that she occasionally needs to give rides. The key factors that sent us to the 5 were:
6 real passenger spaces vs. 4-1/2 (that middle seat is definately lost if you have to use child safety seats)
The 4 cylinder engine (I don't know why everyone thinks a V6 is so important)
The PRICE.... 18K US for the 5 vs 24K US for the 6 wagon.

Both came with a manual transmission, which is one of our "must haves" on a car, so that wasn't really a factor between the 5 and 6 (though it kicked out a lot of other cars from the competition). We may still some day get a 6 wagon (probably used) to replace our Escort as the 2nd car (or maybe even the 3 5-door), but with our growing family the 5 was clearly a good choice for us.

 

[meackerman]

oh yeah, my wife gets alot more packed in it. plus the glovebox is a ton bigger (though the door map pockets are smaller) the kids have storage under their seats, and the flipout console always has stuff in it. Another nice thing is that each kid gets their own bucket seat that is separated from the other, less fighting.

mileage has been less in the 5 than the Accord, but not by much, which makes sense since the 5 is a heavier vehicle. If we keep the speed around 70 mph on the freeway we routinely get 30 mpg with the AT. Last long trip we took which involved a lot of agressive driving in the mountains we got 23 mpg. I suppose if I had kept it out of 3rd gear going up the hills and didn't drive 80 mph otherwise it would have been better.

 

[Kaian]

This is why Im considering a 5 or a 6 hatchback, I know the 6 wagon would be the better choice but I really want to stick to a 4 cylinder. Fuel in Canada aint cheap!!

I'm not sure why you think the 6 wagon would be the better choice. I guess I don't have a sufficient appreciation for the 6 at all. I love my Mazda 5 and it works great with my three kids (ages 6, 5, and 11 months), but if I only had two kids then the Mazda 3 hatchback would be much higher on my list than the 6 wagon.

I'm guessing (too lazy to look) that the storage of the 6 wagon is significantly higher than the 3? If that's the main thing, then I agree with others -- get the 5, fold down the third row, and you'll have plenty of space, and the kids will like the doors and the dedicated seats. And if they are old enough, they'll even like the "in seat storage" the second row has, and the flip-out tray if that's available in the model you get.

No offense to any fans of the 6, but I think the vast majority of people would be better served with either the 3 or the 5.

 

[iam1ru12]

..... I love my Mazda 5 and it works great with my three kids (ages 6, 5, and 11 months).....

We're expecting our 3rd child in March. At that point our two others will be 6 1/2 and 3. We were ready to buy an '07 when they were available but then found out God had blessed us with another child. The 5 would be our primary family car and I'm concerned there is not enough space. In our price range (new or used - $20,000.00 USD) we've basically narrowed it down to a '02 - '04 Honda Odyssey, but I really prefer the Mazda5.

How are you able to make it work with your kids? Does a rear facing car seat impact the driver's side space? I assume you have 1 side of the 3rd row folded down in order to fit a stroller? For traveling, I assume we'd need to get a roof rack and a hitch mounted tavel box. Like I said, I really would prefer the 5 but I doubt it will work for us, unless I'm missing something. Any recomendations?

-Mike

 

[Kaian]

How are you able to make it work with your kids? Does a rear facing car seat impact the driver's side space? I assume you have 1 side of the 3rd row folded down in order to fit a stroller?

Actually, I have the two older boys in the third row, both in booster seats, and my baby daughter is in a car seat behind the driver's seat. The other second two seat is left empty for the occasional extra passenger.

I was able to find a stroller that folds up and fits in the trunk even with the third seats up. It's not a huge stroller, but it's not one of those "umbrella strollers" either. It does take up the entire truck space though, so if I go shopping I need to put things in the second row, or else move one of the boys to the second row and go with a "split third row" as you suggest.

As for the baby's seat, it's a little tight in that if I want to lift up the handle and remove the seat from the base, then I first need to flip the driver's seat forward so the handle can rotate up to get into carrying position. While driving though I have my seat pushed back about as far as I can so it does just touch the car seat, but I'm comfortable and don't need to go back any further. If I needed more room I would put the baby on the other side of the second row.

However, I'm 5"9 and not very big so I don't need a lot of room. A taller or bigger person might not be comfortable sitting with the space available in my set-up.