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2009 Mazda MAZDA5 Safety Review

November 12, 2008

SAFETY | 6 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Five stars, driver, front passenger, and side frontal impact protection; four stars, side impact protection (rear) and rollover resistance
NHTSA

Not tested
IIHS

side curtain airbags for all three rows of seats
Cars.com

The car has to be stopped to program in a destination...on the navigation system.
Mother Proof

The 2009 Mazda Mazda5 does quite well in crash tests, indicating good occupant protection, but it lacks a couple key features.

From their tests of a Mazda5, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gives the vehicle five stars for the driver and passenger in a front collision and five and four stars for the front and rear occupants, respectively, in a side collision. It estimates that the Mazda5's rollover resistance warrants four stars, which is good considering the Mazda's lack of stability and traction control. "Front-seat passengers receive standard front airbags that measure the driver's weight, distance from the dash, and the severity of the crash before deploying," reports Motor Trend. Other standard safety features on this Mazda (2009) include side impact airbags for the front seats, side curtain airbags for all three rows, anti-lock brakes, and a tire pressure monitoring system. Cars.com notes, regarding child car seat anchors (LATCH points), that the second row has upper and lower anchors, but the third row has only upper anchors. All six occupants get three-point seatbelts. Mother Proof seems perturbed about the safety feature built in the optional navigation system: "[It's] easy to use...but the car has to be stopped to program in a destination...it means a passenger can't work the system if the car is in gear. This is supposed to be a safety feature, but it means a passenger can't work the system either."

Traction control and, most importantly, electronic stability control are not available standard or as options for the 2009 Mazda Mazda5. Stability control is now considered a must-have by safety advocates, and virtually all other rivals have it, so this is a severe inadequacy. However, electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) and brake assist (BA) are standard. J.D. Power explains, "EBD automatically balances front-to-rear braking forces to optimize stopping power...BA provides full braking power in emergency braking situations." Motor Trend notes, "All models get 24-hour roadside assistance."

Considering the amount of glass, visibility is good. Passengers sit up high in the Mazda. For 2009, drivers "[have] a commanding outlook over...the instrument panel," comments Kelley Blue Book. There is no backup assist camera available on this 2009 Mazda, and an anti-theft alarm system is available only on the top-of-the-line Grand Touring trim as standard. Good news for those who live in a state that forbids holding a cell phone while driving (such as California or New York): The top Grand Touring model includes a Bluetooth hands-free phone system, according to Motor Trend.

Conclusion

The Mazda5 lacks electronic stability control, but it does offer every passenger a side airbag.

SAFETY | 6 out of 10Expert Quotes:Five stars, driver, front passenger, and side frontal impact protection; four stars, side impact protection (rear) and rollover resistanceNHTSANot testedIIHSside curtain airbags for all three rows of seatsCars.comThe car has to be stopped to program in a destination...on the navigation system.Mother Proof The 2009 Mazda Mazda5 does quite well in crash tests, indicating good occupant protection, but it lacks a couple key features. From their tests of a Mazda5, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gives the vehicle five stars for the driver and passenger in a front collision and five and four stars for the front and rear occupants, respectively, in a side collision. It estimates that the Mazda5's rollover resistance warrants four stars, which is good considering the Mazda's lack of stability and traction control. "Front-seat passengers receive standard front airbags that measure the driver's weight, distance from the dash, and the severity of the crash before deploying," reports Motor Trend. Other standard safety features on this Mazda (2009) include side impact airbags for the front seats, side curtain airbags for all three rows, anti-lock brakes, and a tire pressure monitoring system. Cars.com notes, regarding child car seat anchors (LATCH points), that the second row has upper and lower anchors, but the third row has only upper anchors. All six occupants get three-point seatbelts. Mother Proof seems perturbed about the safety feature built in the optional navigation system: "[It's] easy to use...but the car has to be stopped to program in a destination...it means a passenger can't work the system if the car is in gear. This is supposed to be a safety feature, but it means a passenger can't work the system either." Traction control and, most importantly, electronic stability control are not available standard or as options for the 2009 Mazda Mazda5. Stability control is now considered a must-have by safety advocates, and virtually all other rivals have it, so this is a severe inadequacy. However, electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) and brake assist (BA) are standard. J.D. Power explains, "EBD automatically balances front-to-rear braking forces to optimize stopping power...BA provides full braking power in emergency braking situations." Motor Trend notes, "All models get 24-hour roadside assistance." Considering the amount of glass, visibility is good. Passengers sit up high in the Mazda. For 2009, drivers "[have] a commanding outlook over...the instrument panel," comments Kelley Blue Book. There is no backup assist camera available on this 2009 Mazda, and an anti-theft alarm system is available only on the top-of-the-line Grand Touring trim as standard. Good news for those who live in a state that forbids holding a cell phone while driving (such as California or New York): The top Grand Touring model includes a Bluetooth hands-free phone system, according to Motor Trend. ConclusionThe Mazda5 lacks electronic stability control, but it does offer every passenger a side airbag. 2009 MAZDA MAZDA5 STYLING | [7 out of 10] Cars.com: "looks sporty" Edmunds: "the functionality of a minivan but without the minivan stigma" ConsumerGuide: "The 2009 Mazda 5 is largely unchanged" The 2009 Mazda Mazda5 is an evolution of the people-hauler that Mazda introduced to ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

With a starting price of just under $18,000 for the base Sport, the 2009 Mazda Mazda5 is quite a deal for a sporty, economical people-mover, provided you watch the options; fully loaded top-line Grand Touring models can top $28,000. Kia has a lineup of vehicles that are especially friendly for urban dwellers who want a lot of people-hauling ability and yet need to fit into a compact-only parking space. The Sedona is one of the few remaining minivans sold in a maneuverable short-wheelbase version. But there's also the Rondo, a vehicle that looks a little odd but does everything right in terms of passenger transport and interior comfort. The Rondo has hinged rear doors, however, and only offers an automatic transmission. The Kia doesn't have the Mazda5's tight handling, though with either of the Rondo's four- or six-cylinder engines, it feels peppier and more refined than the Mazda5. Among other offerings, the RAV4 is one of the few compact SUVs to offer a usable third-row seat, though only for short trips or small kids. The perky Scion xB might suit those who don't really need a third row of seating, as its stylish, boxy body affords a roomy interior.

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See the Mazda MAZDA5 in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006

Comments (1 total)

  1. By Smithers #1, Posted: 11/19/2008

    DSC--just not for US

    Yup, yup: Mazda offers traction and stability control on this model--ELSEWHERE!
    Seriously, Mazda: not only do safety experts state this as a near-requirement, the US is thinking about *requiring* it! Without AWD, DSC is a MUST, at LEAST as an OPTION!
    I *love* this vehicle, but can not, WILL not purchase it w/o stability & traction; instead, I will pay MORE for the perfectly acceptable and reliable and EXPENSIVE Toyota Sienna--where I will get EITHER awd OR traction/stability.
    It is unconscionable, unimaginable that Mazda offers these options, just not in the U.S.

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