Mazda is building the 2006 Mazda5 in one body style, a four-door, six-passenger, small minivan-cum-station wagon. The only engine is a 157-horsepower, 2.3-liter inline four-cylinder. A five-speed manual transmission is standard, a four-speed automatic optional ($900).
The Mazda5 Sport ($17,435) comes with numerous creature comforts provided at no extra cost. Among them: air conditioning; power windows and central locking; four-speaker, multi-source stereo; steering wheel-mounted speed and sound controls; inboard armrests on the middle-row seats; four passenger assist grips; and carpeted floor mats. Cruise control, a tilt-and-telescope steering wheel, power outside mirrors and a six-way adjustable driver's seat with inboard armrest facilitate driver-to-car interfacing. An attractive and durable-looking fabric covers seats and door panels with seat side bolsters and insets wearing contrasting textures. Options include a power moonroof ($700), a moonroof wind deflector ($50), an MP3 player/CD changer ($500), and fog lamps ($250). One option package is offered, comprising an in-dash, six-disc CD changer, rear liftgate spoiler, and side sill extensions ($490).
Mazda5 Touring ($18,950) upgrades include automatic air conditioning; two more speakers and an in-dash, six-disc CD changer; power sliding moonroof; leather cover for the steering wheel; and a combination fold-out table and cargo net bin for the center row of seats. Externally, the mirrors get body-color paint, and the side sill extensions, liftgate spoiler and fog lamps are added. The moonroof wind deflector is still an option ($50). Exclusive to the Touring is an optional DVD-based navigation system ($2,000).
Options across the two-model line include a pearl paint finish ($200), cargo net ($40), heavy duty all-weather floor mats ($60), retractable cargo cover ($40) and wheel locks ($40).
Safety features that come standard on all models include the required dual-action frontal airbags, plus front seat-mounted side-impact airbags for torso protection, and head-protecting side air curtains for all three rows of seats. Also, every seating position gets a three-point seatbelt and an adjustable head restraint. Be sure your passengers use those seatbelts as they're your first line of defense in a crash. The middle and rear seats have child safety seat anchors (LATCH). Antilock brakes (ABS) with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) come standard.