New 2010 Mazda MAZDA5

Less is more with the 2010 Mazda Mazda5, which offers big-car passenger and cargo carrying capacities in a small, lively, fuel-efficient package.

An all-aluminum, 153-horsepower, 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine powers this nimble people mover. This peppy motor is bolted to either a five-speed manual or a five-speed automatic transmission. The Mazda5 delivers 21-22 mpg around town and 27-28 mpg on the highway. Power is lower, but fuel economy is higher, than the Kia Rondo.

A flexible interior seats six people. The second row features two captain’s chairs that slide and recline, and at the push of a button they lean and slide all the way forward to allow easy access to the third-row seats. The second row can also be folded flat without removal of the headrests, for maximum cargo room. The third-row seats also fold flat, which yields 44.4 cubic feet of cargo capacity. To make easy access to this cargo room, the trunk features a low sill height so you don’t have to lift objects far. Can’t reach very high? You will appreciate the tailgate that has two stop-heights: one low height for those vertically challenged, and the regular stop-height for full access to the cargo bay.

High quality cloth seats, automatic climate control and metal interior trim set off the cockpit of the 2010 Mazda Mazda5. A CD player with a six-speaker stereo is standard on the base Sport model, while the Touring adds a six-CD changer. The Touring model also adds a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a power moonroof, fog lamps and trick LED taillights. The king of the mountain is the Grand Touring model, which rules with heated leather seats, Bluetooth connectivity and an optional DVD-based navigation system with voice commands. A DVD entertainment system is also available.

For 2010, all Mazda5 models receive Mazda’s Dynamic Stability Control and Traction Control System, and continue to stop quickly thanks to four wheel disc brakes with the antilock, brake assist and brake-force distribution functions. Front, front-side and three-row curtain airbags protect all occupants in an impact situation, and help the Mazda5 achieve Five-Star NHTSA crash-test ratings all around, except for a Four-Star rating at the side rear passenger location.

A fun driver’s package meets flexible seating for six with quality materials and good fuel economy to make the 2010 Mazda Mazda5 a fun and smart family transporter.