Mazda Mazda5 1.6D Sport 5dr Car Review - March 2012

The diesel engine is fine for most people, and offers a decent amount of power despite being low on grunt at low revs. The ride is quite firm which won't be to everyone's tastes, but this does mean that there is very little body lean and the quick steering means that the driving experience for the Mazda5 1.6D Sport 5dr is good on the whole. The driving position is also one that offers plenty of adjustment in the seat and the wheel, and with a high driving position and large windows, visibility is good in all directions.

When it comes to the engine performance of the 1.6 litre diesel engine, it is solid rather than spectacular, and the acceleration from 0-62mph is a reasonable 13.7 seconds. The top speed of 111mph is plenty for most drivers, and driving on the motorway is perfectly comfortable in this car.

The Mazda5 is a car with an interesting looking front end, and the combination of large grille and air intake does mean that it looks like a giant grinning mouth. The body itself does look a little bit boxy - but this is to be expected in an MPV - and the black frames around the window do give the car an interesting look. Inside the car there are an awful lot of buttons and controls, but once you are used to the layout then it does look quite good on the whole.

Standard equipment includes alloy wheels, CD stereo with MP3 connectivity, cruise control, climate control, Bluetooth, and electric windows all-round. Metallic paint is a £420 option.

Mazda is well known for making very reliable cars, and there is no reason to think that the Mazda5 1.6D Sport 5dr is going to be any different. The space to be found in the car is not as impressive as in many other seven seaters, and those in the middle row will find it a bit of a squeeze when the vehicle is at full capacity. On the other hand, the boot is a good size.

The Mazda5 has been awarded five stars in the Euro NCAP safety test, and the car is fitted with a range of airbags that are included as standard. It also boasts the typical driver aids including ESP, ABS and traction control which help to keep the car on the road.

One of the biggest problems with recommending the Mazda5 1.6D Sport 5dr is that the list price of £21,955 is an awful lot of money for a vehicle in this class, even one that offers a good level of equipment.

However, running costs should be low, with the diesel engine able to deliver an average 54.3mpg. The insurance group for a car of this size is also quite low at group 16, and because of the Mazda's practicality and reliability, the resale values of the car are quite good. The Mazda5 1.6D Sport 5dr is delivered with a three year warranty and also has a three year roadside breakdown assistance policy.