Mazda5 2.0 Active: Don't judge this book by its cover

The South African family car market is a competitive one. Buyers can choose between family sedans,  go-anywhere SUVs and practical MPVs, let alone the various rivals in each category. The second-generation Mazda5 is a player in the MPV sector, and hopes to attract buyers with its mix of space, style and versatility. But does it have what it takes? By DEON SCHOEMAN.

The Mazda5 is only one offering in what is becoming an increasingly crowded sector. As compact MPVs (multipurpose vehicles) go, punters can also choose from an array of rivals that includes Renault’s pioneering Scénic and Grand Scénic, Peugeot’s eclectic 3008 and more conventional 5008, and Toyota’s Verso. If you need something even bigger, there’s also the Chrysler Voyager to consider.

So what would make a family want to choose the Mazda5 ahead of its rivals? Well, let’s start with the styling … Yes, I know, styling is very much a subjective issue. So I accept that some of you will love the looks of the Mazda5. But for me, it’s one of this MPV’s weakest points.

It starts off promising enough in front, where the deep grille, bold air intakes and slanted headlights create a strong Mazda identity. But from there, things go a pear-shaped.

I suppose the designers wanted to steer clear of the slab-sided look from which some MPVs suffer, and the strong shoulder line does more than enough to add some visual muscle. But those wavy contours and a pronounced scallop spoil the styling broth.

Mix the prominent wheel arches into this styling broth, and the result is unnecessarily fussy and completely over the top. But wait, as they say in the classics, there’s more. The supersized rear looks big and bland, with a rear overhang that saddles it with an awkward and ungainly appearance.

Fortunately, that’s where the bad news ends. The interior is one of the best in the MPV business. And after all, it’s here where the owners will spend most of their time. For the driver, there’s a cockpit with car-like ergonomics and a great seating position, while passengers can make the most of an interior that can be configured in a variety of ways.

Effectively, the Mazda5 offers three rows of seats: two front bucket seats, a second row with two individually adjustable seats divided by a walk-through aisle and a third row with two seats. A seventh seat folds down into the aisle between the second-row seats when required.

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Mazda5 2.0 Active: Don't judge this book by its cover

It starts off promising enough in front, where the deep grille, bold air intakes and slanted headlights create a strong Mazda identity. But from there, things go a pear-shaped. I suppose the designers wanted to steer clear of the slab-sided look from



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duzipuce - Pete Namlook and Charles Uzzell-Edwards | Create 2

Creating a Simple Vintage - Photoshop Tutorials; Scanline tutorial - Photoshop Tutorials Journalism That Matters: Create or Die 2 | Citizen Media Law Project Want to help disrupt and diversify the media status quo? Attend Journalism That Matters: Create or Die 2, June 2-5, 2011 at UNC-Greensboro. By lodulce Website Templates / 2 Columns. Create a Ride 2 - Free online games at Agame.com Create a Ride 2, Select a car and modify it using the arrows on the right. The only external dependency of the driver is python-serial. Website features that are most associated with Web. How to Create Web 2.0 Effects | eHow.com Web 2.0 effects can be achieved using numerous different techniques, many of which are quick and easy to implement. Watch this quick, 2-minute overview video, then start here to learn how to begin creating your site. Create TV: Public Television's top shows in Cooking, Arts & Crafts. A custom design studio with multiple years of experience.


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