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According to an Autoweek review of Mazda5 back in August 2005, the Mazda5 already complies with the new 2007 standard for 50mph rear impacts.
I just got home from being rear ended in our new Mazda 5. While waiting at a stoplight, an older Ford Escort ran into us at about 15 or 20 kph. Her front bumper was destroyed. Our rear bumper showed only minor scratches; no deformation at all.
Nice job, Mazda.
The first 2 had no rear impact results or any crash results that I could find.
http://www.safecar.gov
http://www.automotive.com/2006/12/mazda/mazda4/safety
The next site has a section on "Head restraints ratings"
Nothing about crashing a car from the rear or into a wall that I could find.
www.hwysafety.org
So please back your posts with facts.
If anybody can find any information please pass it on to us with web addresses etc,
Someone mentioned a 50MPH rear end offset collision. My question is was it hit with another car or driven into a wall at that speed? With minimal crush to the rear seat area, the car is all glass how can there be minimal damage. I think you got your speed information wrong.
Sit in the front of a car with no engine and no front engine compartment and only 2 feet away glass in front of you. Hit a wall a 50 MPH, minimal damage. I think not.
As for side impacts I think that there is a higher chance of being rear ended than hit from the side. Just look at all the drivers who tail gate at high speed especially truckers on the busy truck routes on the interstate highways. Looked in my rear view mirror and all I can see is a grill and I can tell you what kind of bug is stuck to it. No car is 100% safe but others are better than others. Give me a sedan anytime.
Look here
www.carpages.co.uk/mazda/mazda-mazda5-19-09-05.asp
You will need to put this into your address search.
Same for the previous post. Or just google
http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050822/FREE/508220704&Searc- hID=73231431433969
In the third paragraph from the end, it states that the Mazda5 meets the 2007 standard for 50-mph rear impacts.
Here is the link to NHTSA's document about the 2007 standard for 50-mph rear impacts.
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/rulings/301NPRM/Final_Rule/Final_Rule.html
Don't get me wrong, I'd really like to feel comfortable with the rear seat safety, since it otherwise seems like just the right vehicle for me.
PF Flyer
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"Mazda5 occupants are protected by a body shell that adopts the Mazda Advanced Impact Distribution and Absorption System (MAIDAS) and evolves it to deliver maximized strength and to deflect impact energy away from the cabin for high levels of crash safety. Mazda5’s triple-H structure was strengthened even further by reinforcing the three roof cross members. . . Mazda5’s B-pillars are made of high-tensile steel, both the side sills and B-pillars have large cross-sections for extra strength, and reinforcements are introduced below the B and C-pillars to strengthen their joints to the side sills. . . . Mazda5’s rear end has rear side members that are made of high-tensile steel and that absorb rear impact energy. The rear frame members and the side rails overliap in such a way that create large connection surfaces, which help disperse the force applied to the back of the Mazda5 during rear impact. The liftgate opening is strengthened by a closed-section structure that surrounds the entire opening and is linked by gussets to the rear suspension towers. The fuel tank is located in front of the rear axle, which lowers the risk of the tank being damaged."
I actually sped up to the other 5 and drove along side of it. I honked my horn and my wife and I waved to the lady driving and the lady got all excited and started waving back with her cell phone and honking her horn. It was a cute experience!
Up until last week, the only other Mazda5 we've seen was in line in front of us at the tint shop. My wife finally saw one driving on the road last week.
The Mazda5 is designed to exceed all current and soon-to-be official crash tests conducted in the US, Japan, and Europe, including protection for the 3rd row passengers in Europe's upcoming 50 mph off-set rear impact test; one of the most difficult crash tests of any market.
I think Mazda's saying "we designed the Mazda5 to protect 3rd row passengers in a 50-mph rear collision, but it hasn't been officially tested yet".
"The Mazda 5 is too smart for Americans who view it as nothing more than a mini-minivan. And now, Mazda is planning to take this fun-to-drive, incredibly functional, and even somewhat stylish model and stick a hybrid powertrain in it. If this concept makes it to production, and the price is less than $25,000, the Mazda 5 Hybrid will be very hard to resist for people who want a unique, efficient, utilitarian, and environmentally responsible set of wheels. Which does nothing to help Mazda reach that huge percentage of the population that still won’t get it."
Apparently, Mazda is going to demo the Mazda5 Hybrid in Detroit.
Here is a picture of the cargo net
http://www.finishlineperformance.com/cgi-bin/shopper?preadd=action&key=MZ5A1001
Here is a picture of the rear cargo cover
http://www.finishlineperformance.com/cgi-bin/shopper?preadd=action&key=MZ5A1010
A. I have considered and rejected both net and cover. My third-row seats are frequently one-up, one-down, which requires that the net be removed and stowed. For instance, I love that the dimensions are such that I can reach in from the back hatch to seat-belt a tuba into one third seat, leaving the other down for other cargo.
Same argument covers the cover. Also you might consider applying the cost of the cover toward some decently dark windowtint (e.g. see http://pagetuner.com/mazda5/windowtint.html ). My tint is 20% and you can see in if you put your face against the glass and visor your eyes, but not if you just walk past the car.
pagetuner
http://pagetuner.com/mazda5
PS I have still only seen one other 5 outside a dealership. Small world: that was another charcoal one like mine, parked at another campus of the univ. where I work.
As far as additions, Mazda should put Stabilty Control, which is available in Europe & Asia, on the N American bound 5's, standard.
I'm trying to retrofit something like the AirLift system for the rear springs. If I can find the right size I'll try them and report back.
oh yeah, and an aux input!
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News & Views, Wagons, & Hybrid Vehicles
The Mazda Club Chat is on tonight. The chat room opens at 8:45PM ET Hope to see YOU there! Check out the schedule
The "highly popular power dual sliding doors" option is available for US$918. Suppose it's just a matter of time before we get that choice.
Sport and Touring are both good buys, don't get me wrong, but especially on a car where the base model is SO well-equipped, there is a lot to be said for it.
pagetuner
http://pagetuner.com/mazda5/
The other plus with the Sport is locating a manual trans version is much easier than a manual Touring. And as for the climate control (not to mention rainsensing wipers...); I know that in Germany, Mercedes and others make a batch of their top line cars (S class, 7 class) with no power anything: manual windows, manual locks etc etc, as there is a small but vocal contingent of German buyers who think that the driver should be in complete control of everything and that the cars only job should be in the engine compartment. This was 10 years ago, perhaps that minority has dwindled to nothing. Hence 'idrive' :sick:
Another item I could do without that even the Sport has, unfortunately, is The Key That Ate Chicago. When your carkey is bigger than your son's MP3 player, something is wrong. (On the other hand, it allows competition: How far can your switchblade fling a quarter?)
pagetuner
http://pagetuner.com/mazda5/
My kind of folks. Cruise control is the best example. My accelerator foot knows how to keep a distance from the car ahead without any thought. Cruise control doesn't, so on the Eastern Seaboard highways I drive, it is more work with cruise on than off.
And we haven't even started to discuss repair costs when your 5 is ten years old and the climate control dies.
pagetuner
http://pagetuner.com/mazda5/
lol, so true! I had a Peugeot that had climate control. It was a complex bowl of spaghetti vacuum lines that, once disconnected for repair, could never be put right again.
And don't forget that airbag systems supposedly (according to M Benz) have a 10 year lifespan....
That sounds nice unless you're doing a 12 hour road trip on open highways and you want to be able to stretch out your foot and move you legs!!
Hey! What's wrong with the key? It looks so different! Just today a friend asked me about it, he wanted know if I was driving an AUDI :P ...
Although that could be confusing since VW may introduce a new MicroBus with Chrysler. Like the MicroVan, the new MicroBus will undoubtedly have sliding doors (like many original MicroBuses) because sliding doors are 'uber cool.' Unlike the MicroVan, the new MicroBus will undoubtedly be anything but micro.
To be continued...
It's also true that today's crossovers don't hang out so much in the back, but that's true with all of today's vehicles. I look at vehicles in terms of , size, price & quality. I first look at size to see if it will fit my needs, then if there are several cars I compare the price, and for the remaining contenders I see which ones have the better reliability stats.
LOL I like the Matrix but I've always thought the 1.8 was too small. The 2.3 in the Mazda5 is better. But what I'd really like to see is a diesel with more torque and better mileage.
BTW, I lke the name first used in Europe...SpaceWagon.
Joh
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240lbs of torque and 35mpg in a 6pass vehicle? Sounds like a perfect match to me.
I've read rumors of a hybrid Mazda5 but I'd prefer a diesel. Lower initial cost, better torque and great durability. All with comparable mileage.
John
VW and M-B have tried for years to get the US market to be interested in their diesels, to no avail. Part of the problem is that we all have memories of sooty, belching old Cadillacs and other Detroit diesels from 20-30 years ago. Also, Europe has better, low-sulfur-content diesel fuel, which is (slowly) being mandated in the US. Until it is fully required that all US diesel fuel be low-sulfur, none of the international manufacturers feel it's worth their while to introduce a new diesel engine here. I'm actually sort of surprised anyone bothered to maintain diesel-engined models here at all.
I'm hoping that with the new fuels and persistently elevated fuel costs, people will realize that contemporary diesels can often be a better choice that hybrids in terms of fuel economy, and that the torque gains make them a lot more fun to drive. :shades:
Old perceptions are hard to kill...most folks think diesels and think black smoke, stinky exhaust, under powered, noisy, high diesel fuel prices ($2.79 vs. 2.39 at the station next door). It's not all true today, but it's what most people think.
Another reason has to do with the EPA requirements. They made some recent changes with EPA rules that caused some car companies, like Ford to push back diesel engine development a couple years. Ford had a V6 powerstroke ready to go and they pushed it back.
John