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Mazda5

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Comments

  • wusterwuster Member Posts: 153
    Yup,

    According to an Autoweek review of Mazda5 back in August 2005, the Mazda5 already complies with the new 2007 standard for 50mph rear impacts.
  • yustasyustas Member Posts: 31
    Why not??? Aside from the comfort, Mazda5 has very good safety rating for rear end collision. What is so scary? First, given a choice, would you prefer 20 mph front end collision or 40 mph rear end? Second, if you've been hit by a car from behind, where is the point of impact? Pretty low. And if you've been hit by Peterbilt, it doesn't matter, third row or first. Besides, as someone already mentioned before, you are accepting side impact severity, which is much greater, then rear end one. By that logic, you wouldn't have anybody sitting by the door, only in the middle. :)
  • jeff39jeff39 Member Posts: 10
    Rear impact?
    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.
  • rdrrrdrr Member Posts: 20
    I did a google search and came up with the following sites for crash tests. These are North American not European sites.
    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.
  • rdrrrdrr Member Posts: 20
    Great job Mazda for a 5 star rating. No mention of a rear impact crash.
    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
  • vcgenovcgeno Member Posts: 5
    Had one for two weeks before I saw another one. We live outside of Phoenix and saw one in the parking lot of an outlet mall outside of Palm Springs. It's the only one outside of the dealership (other then mine of course) that I have seen. I kinda like being a little different but I would like to have a few others out there.
  • wusterwuster Member Posts: 153
    This is an article from Autoweek.

    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
  • whodewhode Member Posts: 15
    Rear seat safety is my biggest concern about the Mazda 5. The rear seats are really thin (compare it even to an MPV in the showroom) and are really close to the rear window. There's no way that I can imagine someone surviving a 50MPH rear end collision. By the way, that sounds like a pretty extreme case. Is there really a citation that shows the Mazda 5 doing well on a 50MPH rear end offset collision test? I'm beginning to think that it's something that has lost a little in the translation when being passed on from person to person. To be fair, I'm pretty sure I remember reading an article at usatoday.com that said something like rear-end collisions resulted in fatalities 40% of the time for third-row occupants in minivans, but I can't find the citation now either. The number seems high to me, too, but that's why it sticks in my head.

    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.
  • edf4edf4 Member Posts: 65
    I'm looking for the article in which I read that the European version of the Mazda5 survived a 50 mph rear end offset collision. So far I found a lengthy (six page) article about the Japanese Mazda5 at www.japanescarfans.com, part of which discusses its passive body collision absorption construction, and have pasted that section below. In the meantime, I will continue searching for the article on point and post it when I find it. It is out there - perhaps in another Mazda enthusiast's forum. . . .

    "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."
  • edf4edf4 Member Posts: 65
    Getting warmer. From a Mazda website: "Mazda engineers evolved the company's own highly rigid Mazda Advanced Impact-energy Distribution and Absorption System to match the characteristics of the MAZDA5's body design. Accident scenarios were tested at speeds well above global regulations to protect passengers against the unpredictable variety of real-world accidents. This commitment to safety is indicative of Mazda's efforts to protect both driver and passengers through both active and passive measures." Still looking for the specific 50mph offset info.
  • nissmazlovernissmazlover Member Posts: 162
    Well, I've owned my 5 since July 2005 and only until LAST WEEK did I see another 5 out on the road. I have also been on many road trips to other states, and was always on the lookout, but never saw another one. Last Thursday, though, on the Northern State Parkway in Long Island, NY, I saw another 5, Burgundy/Red color.

    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!
  • wusterwuster Member Posts: 153
    Yeah, they're pretty rare here in Northern, VA.

    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. :)
  • smariasmaria Member Posts: 279
    I'm not sure what article you're talking about, but MazdaUSA does advertise that the car will pass the 50-MPH rear-impact test. If you go to the MazdaUSA website, and click on "Mazda5" then "Safety" then "Triple-H Construction", the site says:

    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".
  • edf4edf4 Member Posts: 65
    That must have been what I read. Though I seem to recall reading language about an actual test, perhaps I'm confused, given all of the material I have read about the 5 from various sources in the past several months. The language of that quote is too similar to my recollection to think differently at this time. Sorry for any confusion on my part. But, I stand by my confidence in the 5 that my kids are as safe in its third row as in any other minivan or wagon with a third row. Also, their safety can be increased significantly by merely making an extra effort to use your mirrors to watch the traffic behind you, especially when slowing or at a stop, and by leaving enough room in front of you to take evasive action if danger is apparent.
  • hmiwbhmiwb Member Posts: 7
    So far I haven't seen any other 5's. The dealer only had one, I drove it and bought it. I don't know if there is a supply shortage, but they claimed that the 5's are hard for them to get. So far I'm very impressed even if I'm the only one around. :)
  • deenkdeenk Member Posts: 4
    I saw this on the Autobytel Detroit Autoshow Preview:

    "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.
  • kev604kev604 Member Posts: 30
    I might see one a week at the most. Recent weeks haven't seen any at all. I pass by a Mazda dealership almost everyday they didn't have one at all to show never mind test drive till a couple of weeks ago. A couple of days ago a second white one appeared at the dealership saw it once and never saw it again, probably sold it. I'm in Vancouver Canada and Mazda in general does pretty well here. Took delivery on my platinum silver on Dec18 and have about 1000 km on it. I'm very happy with the vehicle, I would of never considered buying a Mazda till I saw the M5. Only complaint is the mileage. I'm not one to keep track of MPG but it seems to use more gas then I thought it would even considering most of my driving is city. But then again MPG is relative to what your comparing it too and my previous car was pretty good on gas. Called a dealer today and ordered a rear seat cargo cover and cargo net. Will go down and have a look at the cargo cover before I buy it. Wondering if any one else has one if they do how they like it?
  • wusterwuster Member Posts: 153
    I have a rear cargo net and I've found it to be pretty useful. You can fold the rear seats down and put the net across the entire back storage space. Or if you put the rear seats up, the net can be folded in half to make a "bag" to hold stuff.

    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
  • pagetunerpagetuner Member Posts: 41
    Q. "Called a dealer today and ordered a rear seat cargo cover and cargo net. Will go down and have a look at the cargo cover before I buy it. Wondering if any one else has one if they do how they like it?"

    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.
  • sschribersschriber Member Posts: 89
    What's Mazda's track record for rebating new models? Any chance the 5 will see incentives anytime soon?
  • rdrrrdrr Member Posts: 20
    Mazda Canada's web site has no mention of safety on any of it's vehicles. Would be interesting to see what the results of the rear crash test will be. It might take the next 12 to 24 months to be officially tested if tested at all or the web site to be updated. If Mazda designed the car to protect the 3rd row they must have tested it?
  • wheelz4wheelz4 Member Posts: 569
    Any word on any running or next model year changes for the 5? Would like to see a front passenger armrest, 5 0r 6 speed automatic and an ipod jack. Some load-levelling shocks in the rear wouldn't be a bad idea as well, due to the reports of it riding low when fully loaded. Other than that, it's pretty much perfect (although I'd like a delete option on the useless side skirts). And I'm sure some people would like the 2.3 turbo from the upcoming CX7!
  • edf4edf4 Member Posts: 65
    AWD would be great too, or even a limited slip differential for the front drivetrain, as now it fair to poor in the snow and wet, and though better with snow tires, still leaves a lot to be desired. Can't wait for spring, summer, and fall when she'll really shine . . .
  • nym5nym5 Member Posts: 20
    Ditto on the fugly running boards.
    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!
  • dapontdapont Member Posts: 21
    Late January a home market special edition will be released. Read all about it at: http://www.japanesecarfans.com/news.cfm/NewsID/2060112.002/mazda/1.html

    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.
  • pagetunerpagetuner Member Posts: 41
    Mazda 5 shoppers should note recent complaints about the winter-weather effectiveness of the rain-sensing wipers, and about the cosmetics of the running boards. Happy Sport model buyers don't have these items, and didn't pay for them, and have the intermittent wiper setting, the ability to see at a glance how the heating/cooling is set, the ability to add front mudguards, and the choice of all the newest navigation handhelds if we want one.

    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/
  • wusterwuster Member Posts: 153
    I think the rain sensing option is on Candian Mazda5's only. My Touring didn't come with rain sensing wipers...just plain old manual switch.

    :)
  • nym5nym5 Member Posts: 20
    I'm in some agreement with you. I have the Touring and I hate the running boards. But I have to say that climate control is really nice and was the only reason I chose the Touring over the Sport. Of course I figured I'ld just remove the running boards for better aesthetics but to my surprise the car's sheetmetal has about a dozen holes on the side for the attaching clips. I haven't seen a Sport so I'ld love to compare and see if anything is attached to the metal body. Since I know that the 'appearence package' for the Sport includes the running boards I'm wondering how the Sport covers the holes without that option.
    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:
  • pagetunerpagetuner Member Posts: 41
    Oops. Shows how little time I spent on the Touring option list. Sorry. How about the special tire pressure valves so you can't easily get a set of snow tires on aftermarket wheels. Is that all Tourings, or some, or Canada? It's another item on my list of wretched excess.

    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/
  • pagetunerpagetuner Member Posts: 41
    "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."

    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/
  • nym5nym5 Member Posts: 20
    "And we haven't even started to discuss repair costs when your 5 is ten years old and the climate control dies"
    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....
  • bobw3bobw3 Member Posts: 2,989
    "Cruise control is the best example. My accelerator foot knows how to keep a distance from the car ahead without any thought"

    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!!
  • wheelz4wheelz4 Member Posts: 569
    nym5...not too happy to hear about the mounting holes. Figured if I sprung for a 5, the first thing I would do is remove the ugly sills. Could go for a GS (Canadian base version) over the GX but then would miss out on the flip out tray between the rear seats, amoung other things. Boo Mazda! Please get rid of the ugly sills or make them optional. & thanks, edf4....sounds like snows are the way to go.
  • coolmazda5coolmazda5 Member Posts: 525
    :D It's interesting to read about how everyone has a completely different taste. I chose a MT Sport with the popular package just because I reckoned that without the side sills, fog lights and the back spoiler the M5 would just look like an egg on wheels. Yet, I agree with Pagetuner and the comments on the small German customer contingent. I love that yet manual A/C control and wipers are quite straightforward. Don't take me wrong, I love hight-tech gadgets (i.e. GPS) but rain sensors and auto-climate (which I do believe many are complaining about) are just too much on a smaller car...

    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 ...
  • troopernewbietroopernewbie Member Posts: 60
    I've read several articles that call the Mazda 5 a "MicroVan." Whenever I get asked, "What's a Mazda 5?" that's my answer.
  • flyonthewallflyonthewall Member Posts: 41
    I vote for "MicroVan."
    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.
  • bobw3bobw3 Member Posts: 2,989
    I'd vote for Mazda3 wagon, but then I'd vote for Ford 500 Wagon for my Freestyle, and Ford Fusion wagon for the new Ford Edge...but I'm sure I'm in the minority! But I think that any crossover, microvan, suv, etc...based on a specific car should be called the wagon version of that car. Or like the Highlander is a Camry wagon. That's the way they used to do it 20 years ago, but the marketers wanted to make the cars sound cooler.
  • twaintwain Member Posts: 185
    The Edge and the Highlander don't have a traditional wagon shape. Wagons are longer in back. The Highlander has an SUV shape and the Edge has the newer CUV shape. They sacrifice length in the rear to avoid the "wagon" title. The Freestyle would be the closest to a true wagon since it does have some length in the back.
  • resn8rresn8r Member Posts: 1
    We have a diesel excursion. That was great when diesel was 32 cents cheaper than regular. Now its 32 cents more. (With my chip and pipe, I get a decent 17 MPG in the 4-Ton wonder.) Also, wife wants to pop in to parking places. Once we find a parking place, we shout careful with the doors! Wait! Go out this side! The four kids climb the leather because the slide seat isnt fast enough for them.
    To be continued...
  • bobw3bobw3 Member Posts: 2,989
    I have to agree about reminding the kids to be careful on the sliding doors. There are quite a few problems with the Mazda5's sliding doors on this forum. Personally, I'd rather have the regular doors and just buy those rubber strips for the door's edge to prevent the doors from swinging open and hitting other cars.

    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.
  • bwatersbwaters Member Posts: 52
    Microvan works for me. Whenever I have to describe our 5 I call it a pregnant Matrix. My sister drives a Matrix and when we park them side by side our 5 looks like a Matrix on steroids.
  • twaintwain Member Posts: 185
    Whenever I have to describe our 5 I call it a pregnant Matrix.

    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.
  • once_for_allonce_for_all Member Posts: 1,640
    hear hear...I would be getting one if it had the diesel.

    Joh
  • twaintwain Member Posts: 185
    hear hear...I would be getting one if it had the diesel.
    -------------------------------

    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.
  • once_for_allonce_for_all Member Posts: 1,640
    have you seen the link to the Mazda5 diesel they sell in England? 6 speed MT even. It is HOT.

    John
  • poohbah75poohbah75 Member Posts: 41
    I find it interesting that diesels haven't taken off in this country, especially in the last few years. My theory is that people who want to feel like they're saving the environment want everyone else to know they are, too--hence, the popularity of the anemic, heinous Toyota Prius. The so-called "invisible" hybrids from Honda don't sell as well for this reason.

    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:
  • audia8qaudia8q Member Posts: 3,138
    find it interesting that diesels haven't taken off in this country, especially in the last few years

    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.
  • once_for_allonce_for_all Member Posts: 1,640
    so... give us the inside scoop. Is Mazda bring the diesel M5 to the US in the next couple years? None of us will shoot you if you let the cat out of the bag.

    John
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