Road Test: 2012 Mazda5

[kczxl]

I test drove the 2012 Mazda 5 Sport after work last night, wasn't ready to be impressed. And believe me, I am a very picky car buyer with long history of owning BMW's and VW's. Let's just say that I fell in love with it instantly with the Mazda 5. I loved the way it drove with handling similar to my current car VW Beetle TDI 5 speed with sports suspension. It also had all the amenities that I was looking for less silly features like parking or rain sensors. I wound up buying the Grand Touring.

[kczxl]

Coming up on 1 year anniversary of my 2012 Mazda5 and have had zero issues with this vehicle. Mine's a GT trim, same exact car reviewed here and added lots of accessories such as a audio upgrade, Alpine rear entertainment, extra battery, roof rack, Dynamats all around. Just having a blast with this car with my family of 5. Not shy to take this vehicle for just about anything the life can throw at us. Well done Mazda!

[reedstemen]

I own a 6 speed copper red 2012, best car I have ever owned out of 21 vehicles. Checks the most boxes, smile every time I get in it. No desire to replace it!

[kczxl]

Wow, why would anyone give a "thumbs down" for such great review. But at the end of the day, you have to drive the Mazda 5 to appreciate it. It's an amazing vehicle for such little amount of money for the Grand Touring. I am just absolutely thrilled to have the same exact one on this review. Bluetooth handsfree plus music streaming, automatic climate control, rear climate control, traction control, 5speed auto with tiptronic, I mean this little pocket rocket has everything.

[peterkim]

You know the car's good when you look forward to driving it after a long day at work. That's an ideal car is my opinion. My VW's were like that but then it had too many problems, not to mention most VW dealers that wants to rob you blind with parts and service.

[kczxl]

After owning this car, the 2012 Mazda5 GT, I am convinced that this car was well thought out from ground up. Everything on this car works flawlessly, and the sheet metal is top notch with smooth power delivery to the front wheels. Driving dynamics are nothing short of precise and agile, in line with the Mazda3 tradition. I would love to see a turbo charged version with option for a Manual in GT trim level. Now that would be an awesome 'sleeper soccer mom's car'

[kczxl]

Correction: I mean dealers start charging "Sticker" price for this car. Hopefully, Mazda 5 will bring Mazda out of financial woes and make more innovations in the future. I always loved Mazda's but I think this car will help them greatly, good work Mazda, you've hit the sweet spot with Gen X!

[kash]

Got a 2015 GT model last year. Great wagon style car. Really like the driving experience. The smiley grill is the only thing I wish was different.

[peterkim]

This is hands down, best review of the 2012 Mazda 5, right on the money. I also like Davis, been watching his reviews since the 80's. Gotta love his voice and the way he accentuates certain key features. Leather is actually much nicer and the design is typically found on vehicles costing thousands more. I've never been this excited about owning a car, and Mazda 5 Grand Touring has brought back my youth in loving driving again... let alone a family car!

[RoadCone]

I've owned a 2012 Mazda 5 Grand Touring for 11 years, so I am qualified to speak here. Our fully-loaded example is a dead-ringer for the GT model MW tested; we currently have 130k miles on it.

It has not been trouble-free. By far our biggest complaint with the vehicle has been with the wheels, tires and brakes. I know these are wear and tear items but they sure seem to wear out a lot faster on my 5 than any other vehicle I've ever owned. The lower profile tires provide a sporty appearance but they are not practical for the snow belt - three of our four alloys have been bent due to potholes, and it doesn't even take a huge pothole to cause a problem (my boss had a similar issue with his low-profile tires on his Mini - they look cool but are expensive to replace.) I've changed out two wheels with aftermarket rims that were 1/3 the cost of Mazda OEM aluminum alloys, which are also incredibly difficult to find. In fact, some unique parts are not easy to locate being this was not a high-volume model. The brakes seem to wear out pretty quickly too, we seem to get no more 35-40k out of our brakes or tires, and we are not driving this car very hard.

Mechanically, however, we have no complaints. This vehicle starts every time and does everything we've asked it to. In fact, despite my misgivings about the parts of the car that touch the road, this car has been a pleasure to own. It drives well, feels solid around corners, and isnt big or sloppy like a larger van. It also gets far superior gas mileage to a 'full size' minivan. Some will find the rear seats very tight, and that's true - this is a six passenger vehicle for short distances only - but for us it worked out well when shuttling kids to soccer practice or to a play date, etc. Or, when the grandparents were in town, we could all fit in one car to the restaurant. Overall, the 5 drives very much like the 3 it is based on and it's handling is firm yet secure, and it all feels steady at interstate speeds. I have to say it doesn't really look 11 years old either...the styling is not to everybody's tastes but it still seems reasonably modern and fresh in 2023, although the dashboard styling is now pleasantly aging. This was never going to be a vehicle to 'wow' anybody, but for those who didnt want a large Caravan or Odyssey yet appreciate the versatility of sliding doors and an extra row of seats when called upon, this was a perfect choice.
The litmus test to me is "would you buy it again?" Yes is the answer. I would buy this car again, absolutely, but maybe I'd budget a bit more for the constant wear items.

[kczxl]

Short Term Update: All I can say is that this car, is one the best car I've even owned whether you want to call it a car, mini-minivan, Multi-Acitivy Vehicle, or whatever. Quality, ride comfort, amenities, and design is one the best I've seen in years in a car with this kind of price point. I would love to get my second one, if my wife was okay with it.

[legovirgo]

I bought one new in 2011, and it was totaled on a family trip to Orlando.
In 2018, I bought one for my daughter's graduation, and it was a Touring, vs the Grand Touring we had when she was younger.
2022, and she still drives it, and vows to do so until she pulls on the shifter and the engine/tranny fall out.

[Kendell]

Going to look at 2012 with 102, 000 miles on it. My mother needs something to drive around and this would fit all her church buddies inside comfortably.

[peterkim]

@a1mint I see no downside to the car honestly. It's a utilitarian's dream in my opinion. Ride is like a sports sedan like a BMW, and interior's fit and finish is like no other. Only downside was that it did not have a coolant temp gauge which I fixed in a Jiffy by adding a ScanGaugeE right behind the shifter. It is set to read the coolant temp and air intake temp. Now the car is just perfect. If I were you, go test drive one, I'm pretty sure you won't leave the dealer empty handed!

[eaglelensforemay]

I'm loving this American commercial/ sales pitch LOL

[valdiswallace]

Who is here in 2024? We need a new Mazda 5. I’m still driving my 2012 and love it. There is no car like on the market.

[igeekone]

It nice to have a real "mini" van.

[hduncan]

The comparison between this second gen Mazda5 and the first gen through lane changes really does show where these fell flat. The stability control looks to make the reactions clumsy. If you're trying to power out from the tail slide, it won't allow it. Obviously there's some lift-off oversteer, and the way to get out of that is applying throttle-- exactly the opposite is being down with the systems on.

[nonameaccount]

why do people find it so hard to just open their own doors... electric sliding doors just add weight...

[kczxl]

@bigvirgotube European/Asian version of Mazda5 not only has the power sliding doors, but also, headlight washers, side fender mounted turn signals, iSTOP, better looking headrest, middle second row seats, diesel engine option, and navigation option. Why did Mazda leave out so much for the U.S. market? Maybe they'd thought no one would actually buy it?