There's family cars and there's family cars but the just-launched-in-SA Mazda5 MPV deserves the title 'Miss Versatility' for its capacity for radical internal transformation while still having room for a (rather tight) "walk-through" between the seats.
The 5 shares its underpinnings with the Mazda3 yet can carry SEVEN people in three rows of two seats with the seventh a cleverly designed folding item in the centre of the middle row (see gallery pictures)
The third-row seats can accommodate two adults but, when not needed, will fold flat into the floor with a one-touch release. The seventh passenger – likely to be a child or small adult – will ride on a seat whose squab and back fold out from the two middle seats. The narrow "walk-through" gives pretty easy access to the rearmost accommodation.
Air-con is standard on both versions, though that of the Individual maintains its level automatically. Mazda says there are 45 compartments, including a double-the-usual capacity glove box, and the front-door pockets have been shaped to accept a half-litre bottle. There's a storage box under each of the second-row seats.
Features
Engine Specs
Max power (kW @ rpm) 107 @ 6000
Max Torque Nm @ rpm) 185 @ 4500
Towing Capacity (KG) 1400
Luggage volume (L) - 7 seating row 112
Luggage volume (L) - 5 seating row 426
Luggage volume (L) - 2 seating row 857
Fuel consumption
Fuel Capacity 60L
Safety Features
Front dual airbags - driver and front passenger
Curtain airbag - front and rear
Side airbags
Rear 3-point seat belts
Seat belt with pre-tensioner and load limiter
Seat belt warning light
Transponder immobiliser
Collapsible brake pedal
High mounted stop lamp
Neck injury reducing front row seats
Child seat fastening - ISOFIX
Remote central locking
Super lock
Keyless entry system
Global closing
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
Emergency Brake Assist (EBA)
Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)
Dynamic stability control - (DSC)
Electronic traction control
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