2010 Mazda Mazda5 Overview Change Vehicle

This 2010 Mazda MAZDA5 review explains changes for the model year, provides a summary of the 2010 Mazda MAZDA5, and includes Mazda MAZDA5 safety, reliability, and fuel economy ratings.

Mazda adds a standard traction and stability control system to the Mazda MAZDA5 for 2010, a feature that’s long been missing in what is an affordable and efficient way to shuttle a family. However, this comes at the expense of bodyside moldings and turn signal repeater lights on the Mazda MAZDA5’s flanks. Liquid Silver paint replaces Sunlight Silver and Galaxy Gray this year.

Three versions of the 2010 Mazda MAZDA5 are on sale: Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring. The Sport model is very well equipped, including automatic climate control, a stereo with an auxiliary audio input jack and a CD player, power windows and side mirrors, power door locks with remote keyless entry, cruise control, and a steering wheel with tilt and telescopic adjustment. Floor mats are standard, along with a height adjustable driver’s seat, second-row captain’s chairs divided by a folding tray, and a third-row bench seat that folds in a 50/50 split. A manual transmission is standard on this model, along with 17-inch alloy wheels.

Upgrades included with the Touring trim level include fog lights, rocker panel extensions, a rear spoiler, and LED taillights. Inside, leather is wrapped around the steering wheel and shift knob, and the Touring comes with a CD changer, a power moonroof, and an exterior temperature display. An automatic transmission with a manual shift gate is standard, too.

The Grand Touring model is the most luxurious, outfitted with leather seats that are heated in front, heated side mirrors, rain sensing wipers, Bluetooth hands-free connectivity, a security system, and automatic Xenon HID headlights.

Mazda provides a handful of options for the Mazda MAZDA5. Satellite radio, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a HomeLink remote control, and a compass are optional across the lineup. An automatic transmission, a CD changer, and an automatic transmission are available on the Sport model, along with cosmetic enhancements that come standard on the Touring model. The Mazda MAZDA5 Grand Touring can be outfitted with a navigation system.

With just 153 horsepower motivating more than 3,400 pounds before people and cargo are loaded, the Mazda MAZDA5’s 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine is inadequate for the task at hand, even if the power and torque peaks are relatively low in the rev range. With the standard manual transmission, the Mazda MAZDA5 is rated to return 22 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. The extremely popular automatic transmission, which is standard on all but the Sport model, averages 21 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.

Now that the 2010 Mazda MAZDA5 comes with standard traction and stability control, in addition to four-wheel-disc antilock brakes with brake assist and six airbags, it includes a full suite of what we consider to be basic safety features. Additionally, the Grand Touring offers Bluetooth hands-free calling capability and rain-sensing wipers.

Crash-test performance, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), is impressive. The Mazda MAZDA5 gets 5-Star ratings in all crash tests except for the second-row passenger in a side impact collision, which earns a 4-Star rating. Rollover resistance is also given 4 Stars. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), another agency that routinely ranks vehicles for crashworthiness, has not performed testing on the Mazda MAZDA5.

When it comes to predicted reliability, J.D. Power and Associates remains convinced that the Mazda MAZDA5 will provide slightly below average dependability over time. Consumer Reports disagrees, giving the Mazda better than average odds for delivering reliability over the long haul.

We like the 2010 Mazda MAZDA5 for its fun-to-drive nature, true minivan dimensions, and decent fuel economy ratings. Predictions for reliability net out to average or better, and crash-test performance is good if not excellent. This means we can finally recommend the unique Mazda MAZDA5.

By Christian Wardlaw