I test drove the 2012 Mazda 5 Sport after work last night, wasn't ready to be impressed. And believe me, I am a very picky car buyer with long history of owning BMW's and VW's. Let's just say that I fell in love with it instantly with the Mazda 5. I loved the way it drove with handling similar to my current car VW Beetle TDI 5 speed with sports suspension. It also had all the amenities that I was looking for less silly features like parking or rain sensors. I wound up buying the Grand Touring.

I own a 6 speed copper red 2012, best car I have ever owned out of 21 vehicles. Checks the most boxes, smile every time I get in it. No desire to replace it!

Coming up on 1 year anniversary of my 2012 Mazda5 and have had zero issues with this vehicle. Mine's a GT trim, same exact car reviewed here and added lots of accessories such as a audio upgrade, Alpine rear entertainment, extra battery, roof rack, Dynamats all around. Just having a blast with this car with my family of 5. Not shy to take this vehicle for just about anything the life can throw at us. Well done Mazda!

Wow, why would anyone give a "thumbs down" for such great review. But at the end of the day, you have to drive the Mazda 5 to appreciate it. It's an amazing vehicle for such little amount of money for the Grand Touring. I am just absolutely thrilled to have the same exact one on this review. Bluetooth handsfree plus music streaming, automatic climate control, rear climate control, traction control, 5speed auto with tiptronic, I mean this little pocket rocket has everything.

After owning this car, the 2012 Mazda5 GT, I am convinced that this car was well thought out from ground up. Everything on this car works flawlessly, and the sheet metal is top notch with smooth power delivery to the front wheels. Driving dynamics are nothing short of precise and agile, in line with the Mazda3 tradition. I would love to see a turbo charged version with option for a Manual in GT trim level. Now that would be an awesome 'sleeper soccer mom's car'

You know the car's good when you look forward to driving it after a long day at work. That's an ideal car is my opinion. My VW's were like that but then it had too many problems, not to mention most VW dealers that wants to rob you blind with parts and service.

This is hands down, best review of the 2012 Mazda 5, right on the money. I also like Davis, been watching his reviews since the 80's. Gotta love his voice and the way he accentuates certain key features. Leather is actually much nicer and the design is typically found on vehicles costing thousands more. I've never been this excited about owning a car, and Mazda 5 Grand Touring has brought back my youth in loving driving again... let alone a family car!

Got a 2015 GT model last year. Great wagon style car. Really like the driving experience. The smiley grill is the only thing I wish was different.

I like it.. More than enough for me!

@a1mint I actually like the front grill, and rear. I thought the same but when I saw it in person, it was really nice. Front smiley grill... who, it's over stated, besides, in NJ, we have to put front license plates so you can't really tell it's smiling once the plates are on. I do get people to turn head, until it become saturated like the Civics. So for now, I am enjoying the ride!

I've owned a 2012 Mazda 5 Grand Touring for 11 years, so I am qualified to speak here. Our fully-loaded example is a dead-ringer for the GT model MW tested; we currently have 130k miles on it. It has not been trouble-free. By far our biggest complaint with the vehicle has been with the wheels, tires and brakes. I know these are wear and tear items but they sure seem to wear out a lot faster on my 5 than any other vehicle I've ever owned. The lower profile tires provide a sporty appearance but they are not practical for the snow belt - three of our four alloys have been bent due to potholes, and it doesn't even take a huge pothole to cause a problem (my boss had a similar issue with his low-profile tires on his Mini - they look cool but are expensive to replace.) I've changed out two wheels with aftermarket rims that were 1/3 the cost of Mazda OEM aluminum alloys, which are also incredibly difficult to find. In fact, some unique parts are not easy to locate being this was not a high-volume model. The brakes seem to wear out pretty quickly too, we seem to get no more 35-40k out of our brakes or tires, and we are not driving this car very hard. Mechanically, however, we have no complaints. This vehicle starts every time and does everything we've asked it to. In fact, despite my misgivings about the parts of the car that touch the road, this car has been a pleasure to own. It drives well, feels solid around corners, and isnt big or sloppy like a larger van. It also gets far superior gas mileage to a 'full size' minivan. Some will find the rear seats very tight, and that's true - this is a six passenger vehicle for short distances only - but for us it worked out well when shuttling kids to soccer practice or to a play date, etc. Or, when the grandparents were in town, we could all fit in one car to the restaurant. Overall, the 5 drives very much like the 3 it is based on and it's handling is firm yet secure, and it all feels steady at interstate speeds. I have to say it doesn't really look 11 years old either...the styling is not to everybody's tastes but it still seems reasonably modern and fresh in 2023, although the dashboard styling is now pleasantly aging. This was never going to be a vehicle to 'wow' anybody, but for those who didnt want a large Caravan or Odyssey yet appreciate the versatility of sliding doors and an extra row of seats when called upon, this was a perfect choice. The litmus test to me is "would you buy it again?" Yes is the answer. I would buy this car again, absolutely, but maybe I'd budget a bit more for the constant wear items.

@a1mint I see no downside to the car honestly. It's a utilitarian's dream in my opinion. Ride is like a sports sedan like a BMW, and interior's fit and finish is like no other. Only downside was that it did not have a coolant temp gauge which I fixed in a Jiffy by adding a ScanGaugeE right behind the shifter. It is set to read the coolant temp and air intake temp. Now the car is just perfect. If I were you, go test drive one, I'm pretty sure you won't leave the dealer empty handed!

The comparison between this second gen Mazda5 and the first gen through lane changes really does show where these fell flat. The stability control looks to make the reactions clumsy. If you're trying to power out from the tail slide, it won't allow it. Obviously there's some lift-off oversteer, and the way to get out of that is applying throttle-- exactly the opposite is being down with the systems on.

I bought one new in 2011, and it was totaled on a family trip to Orlando. In 2018, I bought one for my daughter's graduation, and it was a Touring, vs the Grand Touring we had when she was younger. 2022, and she still drives it, and vows to do so until she pulls on the shifter and the engine/tranny fall out.

@JohnFHendry I recently added extra ground wire from throttle body housing to factory grounding screw, and now, it drives and feel like a completely different car. Something the Mazda engineers overlooked with throttle-by-wire setup.

Going to look at 2012 with 102,000 miles on it. My mother needs something to drive around and this would fit all her church buddies inside comfortably.

@davidhalifax Yeah, I like both designs; previous and current. I like however the current gen gauge pod better as well as larger 2.5L engine. Mazda5 is an ingenious design, and I just tinted the rear windows 5% VLT along with Dynamats. Now it feels and drive like a $40K+ car.

I'm loving this American commercial/ sales pitch LOL

Short Term Update: All I can say is that this car, is one the best car I've even owned whether you want to call it a car, mini-minivan, Multi-Acitivy Vehicle, or whatever. Quality, ride comfort, amenities, and design is one the best I've seen in years in a car with this kind of price point. I would love to get my second one, if my wife was okay with it.

Best car ever

Correction: I mean dealers start charging "Sticker" price for this car. Hopefully, Mazda 5 will bring Mazda out of financial woes and make more innovations in the future. I always loved Mazda's but I think this car will help them greatly, good work Mazda, you've hit the sweet spot with Gen X!

It nice to have a real "mini" van.

@Dresknowsbest Well I bought many foreign but never a Mazda though, but needed a second minivan but not a minivan because we have an Odyssey already. What I needed is something that I can take my kids around town without cramming them into the rear seat of my New Beetle. Just traded that this evening, had quite a few issues with that car, electrical mostly, safe car though, but lots of annoying electrical problems. Hopefully, I won't have as much problem with the 5.

@davidhalifax Actually, I like this design better than the previous gen. It only took a few days to actually start liking it.

why do people find it so hard to just open their own doors... electric sliding doors just add weight...

@Dresknowsbest BTW, '12 Mazda 5 is relatively new but looking to chip it as soon as the break-in period has passed. Do you know of any tuners out there provides chipping of the Mazda cars?

@bigvirgotube European/Asian version of Mazda5 not only has the power sliding doors, but also, headlight washers, side fender mounted turn signals, iSTOP, better looking headrest, middle second row seats, diesel engine option, and navigation option. Why did Mazda leave out so much for the U.S. market? Maybe they'd thought no one would actually buy it?

It's lovely .. I have one :D

I enjoy our 2010 Mazda5, I bet this 2012 is just as good. The Rondo felt cheap, unresponsive, and bumpy to me, but it was a cold day, and maybe it hadn't been running in awhile.

@JohnFHendry MazdaSpeed3 is an uncomfortable to drive as a daily car. I had the Speed3, yes, there's power, and yes, it handles like a Corvette, but missing that refinement. I'll take the Mazda5 GT for simple fact that it handles like a VW, and has power to boot, and you can fold the 50/50 rear seat as well as middle row seat and sleep two adults comfortably, which is something I am looking forward to when I do my second X-country driving in a few years.

@greigorypparker Road noise is like any other car, but the factory tires are indeed noisy. I'd probably be putting on either Michelin Pilots or Yokohama AVID's when these wear out. Now for wind noise: that's the problem. A lot of wind noise during highway cruise. It's probably because the sheetmetal around the sunroof and A-pillars. I wound up Dynamatting the whole car. Now the car is quiet like an expensive luxury car.

@kc2zxl lol, you remind so much of my father who refused to buy a foreign. He bought a 3 hatch and he absolutely loves it. A buddy of mine has the sedan and doesn't have any regrets. I'm torn between the 3,5 and outback for a family hauler/trips to Home Depot. BTW I just sold my 01 Galant, irony.

I loved the exterior for some reason, as well as the black leather interior, and all just came in above mid $23K - what a bargain! I picked it up before dealers start charging invoice that may be due to demand in the near future. This car is perfect for us because we have 3 kids in elementary school and it's just not practical to haul the family in the Odyssey Touring all the time. I just love this car, and looking to get more "Zoom Zoom" by chipping and changing the exhaust.

Someone should bring their Mazda5 to a Renegade Miata AutoCross Event.

@kc2zxl For me, manual, power slide out doors, and Navigation option. How hard can that be?

@Dresknowsbest Okay, well that's good. Because I am now just old on the Mazda, particularly the one I picked up tonight, the Mazda 5 Grand Touring, what a mini minivan. It grew on me as soon as I hit the asphat, amazing car. Unless you've actually driven one, can't buy a vehicle based on perception.

The fact that a base Corolla is barely below 25k these days is insane

John was disappointed with the braking at 135 feet. I'd say add a slotted brakes, extra sticky pads, and upgraded brake lines. Use some German brand ATE brake fluids.

iam having a very hard time finding 6 speed version of this car. to many automatic out there.

Have no idea what Ford C-Max looks like. I'm glad that mine came from Japan with 95% parts from Japan and not from elsewhere like Mexico. Not that I have anything against Mexico, just that I know I can count on my Mazda 5. Ford's version of Mazda 5 I'm not so sure because remember back in the 90's with Ford and Mazda venture produced the Ford Probe, Ford Escort, and Mercury Tracer. I was unfortunate enough to have bought a Ford Escort. My question is: How can the whole assembly line be a Lemon?

First time I gave it gas in town while driving I squealed the tires I was like how does that happen.

@kc2zxl how is wind and road noise?

"do it right" IMTS Looking at options to get more power as loaded it's just too slow.

Not to mention azimuth adjustable xenon headlamps, the list is just so endless...

@kc2zxl I don't believe Mazda has serious cash problems. Mitsubishi has serious financial problems. Galant/Eclipse/Lancer/Endeavor have all been scratched. Mazda has continue to gain market share and has improved it's line-up with the acclaimed 3. The only vehicle that got axed recently was the Rx-7.

i like it but i wish subaru would bring out the exiga and justy to the states!

can someone comment on whether mazdas still have massive rust problems and suspension noise??

Why a sports car? Why a truck? Why a sedan? Why an SUV? Why a minivan? When the Mazda 5 does it all

When you compare it to Mazdaspeed3 you see they should add a real sports model and could do it as easy as I post this. Good luck trying to do "right" yourself.

Zippy little van but very noisy on the road..... wind noise is terrible

Sixth!

:D !!!!

SECOND

FIRST

This car just isnt doing it for me.......