Bumper to Bumper 48/50,000 Major Components 48/50,000 Rust Through 60/unlimited Roadside Assistance 48/50,000 Accessories 48/50,000
This is just half of all Specs and Features For Mazda5 "Touring 4dr Passenger Van". That is how they call it. The price: MSRP: $18,950 DEALER RETAIL PRICE RANGE: $17,435 - $18,950
Hi - I'm sticking around too. To the party that said they would rather have a used 4-cylinder Highlander - well, that's just what I bought in January. Nice enough vehicle, and it has plenty of power with 2-3 aboard, even in hilly country. But, it is not a driver's vehicle. You don't as much drive it as guide it. In short, I may switch to a new Mazda 5 so that I can enjoy driving again.
The '02 Highlander has 155 Hp from its 2.4 Liter engine - and yes it has VVT-i. It's all the engine I'll need. I can pass safely on the freeway, and cruise at 80 mph all day long. A lighter vehicle, with more Hp and the benefits of the manual transmission, should be able to blow it away.
This doesn't bode well to me. My 04 Outback weighed 3360 lbs and had 163 horsepower, and when it was loaded down with gear and people it was appallingly slow. It certainly didn't have what I'd consider to be any "zoom-zoom," and it also sure didn't get the 22 mpg in the city and 27 hwy that Subaru claimed, either.
Additionally, my Outback had 68.6 cu feet of storage with the rear seats folded. The 5 has only got 44.4 cu feet? Seems to be like I'd be better off with an MPV or a 6 wagon.
Yeah, I too drove the manual-trans Outback before I got the Highlander. It seemed slow to me as well. The Mazda3 seems like a quick car though, and that's the same engine as the Mazda5. Different final drive ratios and transmission gearing could make the 500 lb weight difference less noticeable.
Still, it's all just speculation until we can drive it. Where would these forums be without a little speculation? Not to mention TV sports shows.
Having read this forum for a month or two now, I am surprised and befuddled by the reactions of posters following the release of the Mazda5's specs. Not since reading Apple Computer rumor forums--where people swear to never buy Macs again when Apple does not release an iPod with 10-inch folding touch-screen and micro-fuel-cell power--have I ever seen such odd disappointment following the release of reasonable product specifications.
The Mazda5 is a fantastic product. Apparently some of my fellow posters want it to do 0-60 in 6 seconds, cruise on the highway at 1700 rpm, and get 40 MPG. Sorry, maybe they'll try harder next time.
On the concern of performance, remember that the Mazda3 hatch w/manual has been clocked 0-60 at 7.7 seconds. It weighs just over 2800 lbs. Now add the 500 lbs for the Mazda5 and you have a power/weight ratio in line with the original Miata; not your neighbor's Camaro, but plenty of good clean fun. Fully-loaded at 4500 pounds, it won't be fast, but it'll still-have the power/weight ratio of a base-model 2004 VW Jetta with no passengers. I've never heard anyone call a Jetta unsafely slow.
On the concern of gas mileage, a figure of 22/27 is not hybrid-spectacular, but isn't shabby either. It beats any minivan, and is in line with small SUVs and lots of midsize cars. Note that the heavier Mazda6 wagon gets 19/26 w/man and 20/27 w/auto. It does have a V6, but it's the critically-panned Ford Duratec. Few of those vehicles can carry six passengers or as much cargo. Let's not forget that EPA ratings come from sniffing the exhaust in a lab, just like they did in the '70s. Real-world mileage ratings should be more enlightening when the reviews come in later this year. The EPA test does not factor in the effects of wind resistance, and the Mazda5 has a fairly small frontal area and an impressively small drag coefficient of .31. Compare this to the Mazda3 hatch, whose coefficient is .346.
In terms of cruising RPM, unless Mazda changes the transmissions/final-drive relative to the Mazda3, it should be identical to the Mazda3 s. An online search led me to a Motor Trend article which rates the 3 s hatch at 2750 RPM at 60 MPH w/manual. This corresponds to around 3650 RPM at 80 MPH. Not slow, but not unreasonably fast either. Maybe mdaffron can back this up.
I also think people are sadly overlooking the Mazda5's potential as a phenomenal college-student car. Room for five friends plus junk, full set of safety features, manual trans. option, great styling, for little more than a comparably-equipped Scion tC, Honda Civic, Ford Focus, or, heh heh, Mazda3. With an impressive load rating of 1239 pounds, it can handle six 200-pound people plus medium dog without being overloaded. The huge cargo area would be a boon on moving days, and with the back two rows folded, there's plenty of room for, ahem, sleeping. This car seems at least as good for students as the Honda Element (bought mostly by aging Boomers) and the Scions (more successful, but highly polarizing), the last big Japanese launches aimed squarely at the youth market. An entry price of $18k certainly isn't accessible by everyone, but the Mazda3's solid reliability record points to a good used-car value for the Mazda5 in a few years.
The Mazda5 is a fantastic product. Apparently some of my fellow posters want it to do 0-60 in 6 seconds, cruise on the highway at 1700 rpm, and get 40 MPG. Sorry, maybe they'll try harder next time.
...I agree. In Europe, a car like the Mazda5 has a 1.4 liter, 100hp as a base engine. And a couple of diesel options. The 2.3 would be the hot rod in Europe.
I am disappointed it doesn't have a 5sp auto though.
I've been waiting for a genuine small minivan and the 5 is it. But I expect Mazda will call it a Space Wagon or something. Sliding rear doors are the ultimate in practicality. Far better than the Element's "Help me, I'm stuck" suicide doors.
Twain - I'm just skeptical that the 2.3L engine in the Mazda 3 can handle 500lb more weight as well as 6 passengers. That "diesel option" in Europe has almost twice the torque of the 2.3L.
I still plunked down a deposit and will be one of the first in my area to drive one, because it's perfectly suited to my family's needs.
You may have a point if it's loaded up with 6 passengers. If I get one, it will rarely have over two passengers and the 2.3 should be plenty. The 5 shouldn't only be considered a family car. It will be great as a one or two passenger car with lots of cargo room.
I'd like to see a diesel option in the 5. 250lb of torque would be sweet. Plus better mileage.
I'd wonder why anyone would buy a Mazda 5 if they never had the intention of carrying 6 people? That's the whole point of having 3 rows of seats; otherwise, you're wasting space on a 3rd row that's always folded flat.
I was waiting for the Mazda 5 to come out, but I needed a vehicle with 3 rows now, so I ended up buying the Ford Freestyle, since I didn't want a minivan or SUV. It gets 20/27mpg, holds 7 with cargo space behind the 3rd row. It's 4” wider, 18” longer, and about the same height if the 64” Mazda 5 height is w/o roof rack. For that extra length, what you’re getting is space behind the 3rd row and legroom. I put the Freestyle specs after the Mazda 5 specs. Yeah I know they’re not in the same class, but I was originally looking for something with 3 rows that wasn’t an SUV or minivan. If the Mazda5 had a 2nd row bench option and was just a foot longer so the space behind the 3rd row was useful then I might have waited.
Front Legroom 40.7 " 41.2 Rear Legroom 35.2 " 40.2 Third Row Legroom 30.7 " 33.3 Front Headroom 38.9 " 39.4 Rear Headroom 39.2 " 39.4 Third Row Headroom 37.1 " 38.6 Front Hiproom 52.9 " 55.5 Rear Hiproom 58.3 " 55.8 Third Row Hiproom 40.9 " 45.9 Front Shoulder Room 55.5 " 58.5 Rear Shoulder Room 55.6 " 58 Third Row Shoulder Room 49.2 " 50.8
No, you're not necessarily wasting space. I'm looking at the Mazda5, the Chevy HHR, and some minivans, and I don't intend to regularly carry 6 people. I'll periodically carry 4 or 5, I suspect. I ride my bike to work, so this vehicle will be a weekend and trip car for me.
I don't even have children yet. I want that extra space in the 3rd row to put my groceries, camping gear, and/or my large German Shepherd, who is in the car a lot with me. I also want the storage capacity to slide my road bike right into the vehicle with me without resorting to a roof or trunk rack. The only other vehicles which meet this need are SUVs (don't want one) or station wagons, and I just sold my 04 Outback in April--I wasn't pleased with it. I can think of lots of reasons why you'd enjoy having the space of the 3rd row seat folded flat.
Ford focus would work too since you're only going to hold 4-5 people at a time. Jetta Wagon, etc. lots of small wagon choices would fit your needs. What makes the Mazda5 unique is the 3 rows, so that's what I meant when I said it would be a waste not to ever use them. Or just complete pull them out and have even more space in the back.
I'd prefer the M5 with a bench seat and no third row. But the real selling point is the sliding doors. Sliding rear doors are very practical and only minivans have them. But now all the minivans are big and fat. Kudos to Mazda for bringing a small minivan to market.
I prefer the M5 over wagons like the Focus and Jetta because it doesn't look like a wagon. And it's taller with a higher seating position.
I had a 1987 Stanza Wagon. Not really a wagon, it was a tall, small minivan with sliding doors. Ahead of it's time.
Some people who don't need to carry 6 passengers do have occasional or frequent needs for cargo space. Think of it as a cargo wagon with the option of carrying passengers.
Myself, I would fold down (or take out if possible) the third row, leaving plenty of cargo space in the back.
I don't like the M5 for it's 6 seats. I like it for the sliding doors, manual option, and manageable size.
I'm curious to know if anyone's heard any rumors about when the Mazda5 will become available in the US? I've heard "summer 2005" but I'm wondering if anyone has heard anything more specific, like which month? The sooner the better!
As a soon-to-be-a-one-child-family, the Mazda5 seems like a nice option. For now, we won't feel guilty driving it with one child in the 2nd row and the 3rd row folded down (because it isn't a rediculously huge car and its fuel economy is better than most minivans). But if our family expands to 2-3 children in a few years, we'll have the third row in the Mazda5 so we won't need to trade it in for a different car.
I like almost everything about the Mazda5 specs, but I must say I'm a little disappointed in the gas milage of the AT (21/26). The Toyota Sienna minivan is rated at 26 highway (same as the Mazda5) and it's larger and heavier. I assume that the gas milage of the Mazda5 isn't amazing because some fuel economy needs to be compromised in order to make it more "fun-to-drive". The trade-off is probably worth it...can't wait to test drive one and find out.
I think you'll find it hard to find any vehicle with a 3rd row that has LATCH anchors back there. Typically these are only found in the 2nd row. You can find some 3rd row vehicles with a rear anchor though.
anyone has pointed this out, but the Mazda5 is basically like the old Honda minivan only with sliding doors. I like the concept of this and wished Honda would have kept selling their version, too. I think it will make a nice family vehicle which will fill a void that's been missing since the Honda "minivan" was enlarged.
Mazda seems to carve out a fringe niche in every segment, even the mainstream segments. Their van is smaller than the herd, their FWD sedan is smaller and sportier, and their sports car has 4 doors and a rotary!
Everyone forgets the Nissan Stanza Wagon from the 80s. It was a tall, short wagon with dual sliding doors and a 4cyl. It was available with stick or auto and had a 4wd option.
Like the Colt Vista and Expo, it would fit right in with the crossovers that are popular now. The Mazda 5 does remind me a lot of the Colt Vista, except it had normal doors.
The manufacturers are avoiding the "cheap" label that plagued the 80s hatchbacks and small wagons by making the new models the top of the line. Wider tires, bigger engines and better appointments. For instance, my Aerio SX is the premium version of the basic Aerio sedan. If you can call an Aerio "premium". The same with the Mazda3 wagon.
It's humorous how the manufacturers avoid the labels "hatchback, wagon and minivan." They use "wagon and minivan" when they have to but they avoid hatchback like the plague.
We now have Matrix instead of Corolla Wagon, 5 Doors instead of hatchbacks and GM has even grafted SUV noses onto their minivans and called them Sport Vans.
No, it was the Nissan Stanza Wagon. I owned one in 1987. I think it was only made for 3 years.
That's right, no B pillar. It was really a great, practical vehicle. Maybe a little susceptible to crosswinds due to the tall height and low weight and that may be why it was dropped. That, and the public didn't care much for great, practical vehicles.
The Spectra5 is similary well equipped, as is the Elantra GT. The GT comes in 5 door only, as a matter of fact.
Funny, though, that there actually is a Corolla wagon, it's called the Corolla Fielder in Brazil, and it is very different from the Matrix, longer by far. The Matrix is sort of a 5 door hatch version of the Corolla. The Fielder is a true wagon.
Here is a review from my native Brazil (in Portuguese, but check out the pics).
I owned an '87 Stanza Van last summer. It was great til the engine blew out. Very handy for house projects and hauling around friends. it had a stick and a sunroof, just like the 5. Obviously the 5 will be much safer and perform better. I love the idea though. I understand i'm one of few who wants a small van. That's why i'm so surprised Mazda is creating it. Unlike the Miata, which is an image car to bring people into dealers, this is a low-volume specialty. No one is going to lust after this car (except us). I'd still be driving Stan if i didn't have to donate him away. Even back then, they called the Stanzas "wagons" even though they had a flat floor inside and were much better classified as vans. One hope for the 5 is a lower center of gravity, Stan always felt like he was top heavy and ready to roll at any minute.
The Axxess followed the Stanza Van in 1990. It was offered until 1991 in the U.S. (when the larger Quest came on the market), but was sold right up to 1995 in Canada. There are tons still on the road here, attesting to their durability and practicality. I don't know about the Stanza, but the Axxess had very twitchy handling, especially under heavy braking. I would expect that the 5 will be far more secure.
Unlike the Miata, which is an image car to bring people into dealers, this is a low-volume specialty. No one is going to lust after this car (except us).
I think you'd be surprised - there are waiting lists at a lot of dealerships for the 5 up here in Canada.
Waiting lists to buy at MSRP or waiting to buy at invoice? I'd have a hard time believing there's that much pent-up demand for small minivans when you can get a Mazda 6 wagon with something like $2000-2500 in rebates and priced at invoice. At list for the 5, why would you turn down a sportier, more luxurious 6 wagon? My interest lies in getting one of these next summer/fall when the rebates start coming and prices go down.
That Corolla Fielder looks nice. You're right, the Matrix is a 5door hatch, not a true wagon.
Hopefully soon the US will start getting smaller, practical vehicles instead of the behemoths we have now. High gas prices may be the only way that will happen.
I like both the Spectra5 and the Elantra GT. But after owning a couple of "tall" vehicles and sitting up higher, they're not tall enough.
I much prefer the Mazda5. I don't want a traditional wagon and I don't want a traditional minivan. The 5 perfectly fits the bill of a small, sporty minivan/wagon thingie.
The only things that might improve the 5 are a 5sp auto and a diesel or hybrid option for better mileage. Until hybrid prices come down I'd opt for the diesel.
Comments
Meade
Engine Specs: 2.3L I-4 157 HP
Transmission: 5-spd man w/OD
Fuel Economy City: 22.0 mpg
Fuel Economy Highway: 27.0 mpg
Door Count 4 doors
Maximum Cargo Volume 44.4 cu.ft.
Exterior Length 181.5 "
Exterior Width 69.1 "
Exterior Height 64.2 "
Wheelbase 108 "
Front Tread 60 "
Rear Tread 60 "
Turning Radius 17.4 '
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating 4,572 lbs.
Curb Weight 3,333 lbs.
Drag Coefficient .31
Front Legroom 40.7 "
Rear Legroom 35.2 "
Third Row Legroom 30.7 "
Front Headroom 38.9 "
Rear Headroom 39.2 "
Third Row Headroom 37.1 "
Front Hiproom 52.9 "
Rear Hiproom 58.3 "
Third Row Hiproom 40.9 "
Front Shoulder Room 55.5 "
Rear Shoulder Room 55.6 "
Third Row Shoulder Room 49.2 "
Passenger Volume 98 cu.ft.
Interior Cargo Volume w/Seats Folded 44.4 cu.ft.
Warranty (months/miles)
Bumper to Bumper 48/50,000
Major Components 48/50,000
Rust Through 60/unlimited
Roadside Assistance 48/50,000
Accessories 48/50,000
This is just half of all Specs and Features For Mazda5 "Touring 4dr Passenger Van". That is how they call it. The price:
MSRP: $18,950
DEALER RETAIL PRICE RANGE: $17,435 - $18,950
For "Sport 4dr passenger van":
MSRP: $17,435
DEALER RETAIL PRICE RANGE: $17,435 - $18,950
Just food for thought
Put 6 people in it and it's gonna be a slooow ride.
-juice
The '02 Highlander has 155 Hp from its 2.4 Liter engine - and yes it has VVT-i. It's all the engine I'll need. I can pass safely on the freeway, and cruise at 80 mph all day long. A lighter vehicle, with more Hp and the benefits of the manual transmission, should be able to blow it away.
Additionally, my Outback had 68.6 cu feet of storage with the rear seats folded. The 5 has only got 44.4 cu feet? Seems to be like I'd be better off with an MPV or a 6 wagon.
Yeah, I too drove the manual-trans Outback before I got the Highlander. It seemed slow to me as well. The Mazda3 seems like a quick car though, and that's the same engine as the Mazda5. Different final drive ratios and transmission gearing could make the 500 lb weight difference less noticeable.
Still, it's all just speculation until we can drive it. Where would these forums be without a little speculation? Not to mention TV sports shows.
But they had AWD standard, and there is more drag in the drivetrain. Usually you lose about 1-2 mpg with AWD compared to FWD.
05 OB is up to 168hp and the 06 should get another bump to at least 173hp.
-juice
The Mazda5 is a fantastic product. Apparently some of my fellow posters want it to do 0-60 in 6 seconds, cruise on the highway at 1700 rpm, and get 40 MPG. Sorry, maybe they'll try harder next time.
On the concern of performance, remember that the Mazda3 hatch w/manual has been clocked 0-60 at 7.7 seconds. It weighs just over 2800 lbs. Now add the 500 lbs for the Mazda5 and you have a power/weight ratio in line with the original Miata; not your neighbor's Camaro, but plenty of good clean fun. Fully-loaded at 4500 pounds, it won't be fast, but it'll still-have the power/weight ratio of a base-model 2004 VW Jetta with no passengers. I've never heard anyone call a Jetta unsafely slow.
On the concern of gas mileage, a figure of 22/27 is not hybrid-spectacular, but isn't shabby either. It beats any minivan, and is in line with small SUVs and lots of midsize cars. Note that the heavier Mazda6 wagon gets 19/26 w/man and 20/27 w/auto. It does have a V6, but it's the critically-panned Ford Duratec. Few of those vehicles can carry six passengers or as much cargo. Let's not forget that EPA ratings come from sniffing the exhaust in a lab, just like they did in the '70s. Real-world mileage ratings should be more enlightening when the reviews come in later this year. The EPA test does not factor in the effects of wind resistance, and the Mazda5 has a fairly small frontal area and an impressively small drag coefficient of .31. Compare this to the Mazda3 hatch, whose coefficient is .346.
In terms of cruising RPM, unless Mazda changes the transmissions/final-drive relative to the Mazda3, it should be identical to the Mazda3 s. An online search led me to a Motor Trend article which rates the 3 s hatch at 2750 RPM at 60 MPH w/manual. This corresponds to around 3650 RPM at 80 MPH. Not slow, but not unreasonably fast either. Maybe mdaffron can back this up.
I also think people are sadly overlooking the Mazda5's potential as a phenomenal college-student car. Room for five friends plus junk, full set of safety features, manual trans. option, great styling, for little more than a comparably-equipped Scion tC, Honda Civic, Ford Focus, or, heh heh, Mazda3. With an impressive load rating of 1239 pounds, it can handle six 200-pound people plus medium dog without being overloaded. The huge cargo area would be a boon on moving days, and with the back two rows folded, there's plenty of room for, ahem, sleeping. This car seems at least as good for students as the Honda Element (bought mostly by aging Boomers) and the Scions (more successful, but highly polarizing), the last big Japanese launches aimed squarely at the youth market. An entry price of $18k certainly isn't accessible by everyone, but the Mazda3's solid reliability record points to a good used-car value for the Mazda5 in a few years.
Okay, enough ranting for tonight.
Might you be saying that the Mazda5 has the potential to become the next VW Microbus? Hehehe
...I agree. In Europe, a car like the Mazda5 has a 1.4 liter, 100hp as a base engine. And a couple of diesel options. The 2.3 would be the hot rod in Europe.
I am disappointed it doesn't have a 5sp auto though.
I've been waiting for a genuine small minivan and the 5 is it. But I expect Mazda will call it a Space Wagon or something. Sliding rear doors are the ultimate in practicality. Far better than the Element's "Help me, I'm stuck" suicide doors.
I still plunked down a deposit and will be one of the first in my area to drive one, because it's perfectly suited to my family's needs.
I'd like to see a diesel option in the 5. 250lb of torque would be sweet. Plus better mileage.
Please let us know about the test drive
...That seems low for all seats folded. Maybe for the third row folded. I'd guess 70 cu ft for all seats folded.
Front Legroom 40.7 " 41.2
Rear Legroom 35.2 " 40.2
Third Row Legroom 30.7 " 33.3
Front Headroom 38.9 " 39.4
Rear Headroom 39.2 " 39.4
Third Row Headroom 37.1 " 38.6
Front Hiproom 52.9 " 55.5
Rear Hiproom 58.3 " 55.8
Third Row Hiproom 40.9 " 45.9
Front Shoulder Room 55.5 " 58.5
Rear Shoulder Room 55.6 " 58
Third Row Shoulder Room 49.2 " 50.8
I don't even have children yet. I want that extra space in the 3rd row to put my groceries, camping gear, and/or my large German Shepherd, who is in the car a lot with me. I also want the storage capacity to slide my road bike right into the vehicle with me without resorting to a roof or trunk rack. The only other vehicles which meet this need are SUVs (don't want one) or station wagons, and I just sold my 04 Outback in April--I wasn't pleased with it. I can think of lots of reasons why you'd enjoy having the space of the 3rd row seat folded flat.
Jetta Wagon, etc. lots of small wagon choices would fit your needs. What makes the Mazda5 unique is the 3 rows, so that's what I meant when I said it would be a waste not to ever use them. Or just complete pull them out and have even more space in the back.
I prefer the M5 over wagons like the Focus and Jetta because it doesn't look like a wagon. And it's taller with a higher seating position.
I had a 1987 Stanza Wagon. Not really a wagon, it was a tall, small minivan with sliding doors. Ahead of it's time.
Myself, I would fold down (or take out if possible) the third row, leaving plenty of cargo space in the back.
I don't like the M5 for it's 6 seats. I like it for the sliding doors, manual option, and manageable size.
However, it is rather large, and not remotely sporty. Which is fine for the mission of carrying a large family.
So I can see where the 5 would have different strengths - smaller, sportier, cheaper.
-juice
As a soon-to-be-a-one-child-family, the Mazda5 seems like a nice option. For now, we won't feel guilty driving it with one child in the 2nd row and the 3rd row folded down (because it isn't a rediculously huge car and its fuel economy is better than most minivans). But if our family expands to 2-3 children in a few years, we'll have the third row in the Mazda5 so we won't need to trade it in for a different car.
I like almost everything about the Mazda5 specs, but I must say I'm a little disappointed in the gas milage of the AT (21/26). The Toyota Sienna minivan is rated at 26 highway (same as the Mazda5) and it's larger and heavier. I assume that the gas milage of the Mazda5 isn't amazing because some fuel economy needs to be compromised in order to make it more "fun-to-drive". The trade-off is probably worth it...can't wait to test drive one and find out.
-Brian
The last rumour I heard was June 30, for Canada. Don't know about the US but I can't imagine you'd be far behind.
Meade
Other than the back row, the Nissan Axxess seems like an earlier version . It did have sliding doors on a tall wagon body.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
So, you're saying this is a perfect vehicle for Mazda!
:shades:
I'm proud to be an original-thinking zoom-zoomer, and NOT a member of the Honda Herd!
Meade
Mazda seems to carve out a fringe niche in every segment, even the mainstream segments. Their van is smaller than the herd, their FWD sedan is smaller and sportier, and their sports car has 4 doors and a rotary!
-juice
GS
2.3L 5MT $19,995
2.3L 5MT A/C w/Auto Climate $21,095
2.3L 4AT $20,995
2.3L 4AT A/C w/Auto Climate $22,095
GT
2.3L 5MT $22,795
2.3L 5MT A/C w/ Auto Climate $23,895
2.3L 4AT $23,795
2.3L 4AT A/C w/ Auto Climate $24,895
Meade
Like the Colt Vista and Expo, it would fit right in with the crossovers that are popular now. The Mazda 5 does remind me a lot of the Colt Vista, except it had normal doors.
The manufacturers are avoiding the "cheap" label that plagued the 80s hatchbacks and small wagons by making the new models the top of the line. Wider tires, bigger engines and better appointments. For instance, my Aerio SX is the premium version of the basic Aerio sedan. If you can call an Aerio "premium".
I do recall that it didn't have a B pillar or something? I think you got a wide open side when you opened both doors.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
We now have Matrix instead of Corolla Wagon, 5 Doors instead of hatchbacks and GM has even grafted SUV noses onto their minivans and called them Sport Vans.
Just shows how important image has become.
That's right, no B pillar. It was really a great, practical vehicle. Maybe a little susceptible to crosswinds due to the tall height and low weight and that may be why it was dropped. That, and the public didn't care much for great, practical vehicles.
The Spectra5 is similary well equipped, as is the Elantra GT. The GT comes in 5 door only, as a matter of fact.
Funny, though, that there actually is a Corolla wagon, it's called the Corolla Fielder in Brazil, and it is very different from the Matrix, longer by far. The Matrix is sort of a 5 door hatch version of the Corolla. The Fielder is a true wagon.
Here is a review from my native Brazil (in Portuguese, but check out the pics).
http://quatrorodas.abril.com.br/carros/testes/0704fielder.shtml
-juice
I think you'd be surprised - there are waiting lists at a lot of dealerships for the 5 up here in Canada.
The 6 doesn't seat 6 people. The 5 offers that option.
Hopefully soon the US will start getting smaller, practical vehicles instead of the behemoths we have now. High gas prices may be the only way that will happen.
I like both the Spectra5 and the Elantra GT. But after owning a couple of "tall" vehicles and sitting up higher, they're not tall enough.
I much prefer the Mazda5. I don't want a traditional wagon and I don't want a traditional minivan. The 5 perfectly fits the bill of a small, sporty minivan/wagon thingie.
The only things that might improve the 5 are a 5sp auto and a diesel or hybrid option for better mileage. Until hybrid prices come down I'd opt for the diesel.
The 6 wagon is very sharp...for a wagon.