2008 Mazda Mazda5

We'll leave alone the question of whether the words 'efficiently' and 'large SUV' belong in the same sentence. It is a fact, however, that buyers who are attracted to the passenger and/or cargo capacity of an SUV may be put off by SUV bulk and SUV fuel consumption. A minivan does the same job more efficiently, but seems to carry a social stigma. Station wagons used to do the job, but have now all but disappeared.

So how does the style-conscious consumer transport spouse, children, parents and pets? Urban architects have known the answer for at least a century: Go vertical.

The skyscraper principle applies equally to motor vehicles. Start with a small-sedan chassis for handling, ride comfort, and fuel efficiency. Build the body tall to pack more people and things inside the same footprint. Then give it a clunky-funky look that says 'SUV,' or at least 'SUV crossover,' more than 'minivan.'

Europeans, who have lived with high fuel prices for decades, have been building and buying tall people movers since the 1950s. The Japanese, also, embraced the concept long ago. The idea is still novel in America, but vehicles as good as the Mazda5 just might help it catch on.

The Mazda5 is built on the same mechanical platform as the compact Mazda3 sedan. So it weighs less, and even covers a smaller patch of road than, say, Mazda's own mid-size sedan, the Mazda6. But the tall Mazda5 seats six, where even the Mazda6 sedan seats five at best. See how the game is played? And with the back two rows of seats folded, the Mazda5 will hold far more than your average station wagon. And it drives better than either a minivan or an SUV.

Introduced as a 2006 model, the Mazda5 gets styling and equipment updates for 2008. On the outside, the grille, front fascia, headlights and taillights are new. On the inside, Mazda has added a new shift panel and center console, electroluminescent gauges, second-row cool air vents with fan-speed controls, front and second-row seat armrests, an audio auxiliary input jack, and a tire-pressure monitor. An available five-speed automatic transmission also replaces the last year's four-speed automatic, and the top-of-the-line Grand Touring model now has more standard equipment.

The base Mazda5 Sport starts at $17,995, the mid-level Touring at $20,610. A totally tricked-out Grand Touring, with DVD entertainment, navigation, and Sirius satellite radio would still list for less than $27,000. Looked at this way, there's no competition, making the Mazda5 a good starter minivan for small families with small kids.
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