The Mazda5 is Mazda's answer to the minivan -- its smaller, sportier answer that gets better gas mileage than most minivans. Though the Mazda5 has a lot of what families need in an efficient package, Americans haven't really gotten behind the Mazda5. Mazda is updating the Mazda5 in hopes of capturing more of the American market.
The "2011 Mazda5" features sharp creases in its body, as well as a large grinning grille. Keep checking back for more information on the 2011 Mazda5, or check out our review of the 2010 Mazda5.
The 2011 Mazda5 was unveiled today ahead of its upcoming debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March. Mazda calls it "Nagare", from the Japanese word meaning "flow". The 2011 Mazda5 is the first Mazda model to fully adopt this design theme.
In Europe, the new Mazda5 also gets Mazda's "i-Stop" stop-start system to further cut unnecessary fuel use and reduce emissions by up to 15 percent.
The current U.S.-market 2010 Mazda5 uses a 2.3-liter engine and yields up to 28 mpg on the highway in manual-transmission trim, so the 2011 Mazda5 could possibly reach above 30 mpg highway.
Standard features for the 2011 Mazda5 include dual sliding doors and reconfigurable seating arrangements.
The bulk of the Mazda lineup has recently been updated, and the Japanese carmaker has brought its Mazda 5 small minivan in line with the unveiling of the new 2011 model at the Geneva auto show.
Power-operated side doors will be optional in Europe, but won’t be available on U.S. models, Mazda says, in order to keep weight, complexity, and cost down. Improved materials and revised equipment keep the 5 on par with the updated-for-2010 CX-7 and CX-9. Mazda’s dash-mounted mini navigation screen, as seen in the 3, will be optional.
Our current 5 sports a 153-hp, 2.3-liter four mated to either a five-speed manual or five-speed automatic gearbox. The 2.5-liter will be paired in the 5 with either a six-speed manual or a five-speed auto.
2/14/11
2011 Mazda5
