2013 Mazda MAZDA5 vs. Its Competition

2013 Mazda Mazda5
Martin Padgett Martin Padgett Editorial Director

Because of its size and handling, the Mazda 5 has few natural competitors.

We'd shop it against the least-expensive minivan on the market, the Dodge Grand Caravan, trading nimble handling for more seats and more interior volume, not to mention a richer feature selection.

There's the Ford Transit Connect, for those who want all the utility and don't care so much about looking like the delivery guy or taxi driver--it's a pretty bare-bones piece down to its vintage-1990 interior.

The Toyota Prius V and Ford C-Max are people carriers in a less strict sense, fuel misers in a big way; of the two, the C-Max does the better job of imitating the Mazda's friendly road manners.

2013 Mazda Mazda52013 Mazda MAZDA5
Browse Used Listings		2013 Dodge Grand Caravan2013 Dodge Grand Caravan
Browse Used Listings		2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid, Los Angeles, August 20122013 Ford C-Max
Browse Used Listings		2012 Toyota Prius V 5dr Wagon Five (Natl) Angular Rear Exterior View2013 Toyota Prius V
Browse Used Listings
Quick Specs
7.2
If you don't mind being seen in a minivan--but don't want to feel like you're driving one--the 2013 Mazda 5 fits the bill, though it's short on some features.
8.2
Function reigns supreme in the Dodge Grand Caravan: it has the best seating system and infotainment features of any minivan, and gas mileage and safety scores are excellent.
7.8
The 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid is the first head-to-head challenger for the Toyota Prius since that car grabbed the green mantle a decade ago--and in many ways, the Ford's a better daily driver.
7.4
The 2013 Toyota Prius V is by far the roomiest Prius in the lineup, and its 42-mpg combined mileage is hard to beat. It's far from the fastest or most powerful family wagon, and it faces a new competitor, the Ford C-Max Hybrid--but it's still a capacious, comfortable, and highly fuel-efficient family wagon.
MSRP From   
$19,940$19,995$25,200$26,650
Gas Mileage   
21 MPG City / 28 MPG Hwy17 MPG City / 25 MPG Hwy42 MPG City / 37 MPG Hwy44 MPG City / 40 MPG Hwy
Engine   
Gas I4Gas/Ethanol V6Gas/Electric I4Gas/Electric I4
EPA Class   
2WD Minivan2WD MinivanLarge CarMidsize Station Wagon
Style Name   
4-Door Wagon Manual Sport4-Door Wagon American Value Pkg5-Door HB SEL5-Door Wagon Two (GS)
Drivetrain   
Front Wheel DriveFront Wheel DriveFront-wheel driveFront Wheel Drive
Passenger Capacity   
6755
Passenger Doors   
N/AN/A4N/A
Body Style   
MinivanPassenger VanHatchbackWagon
Transmission   
ManualAutomaticContinuously Variable RatioContinuously Variable Ratio
Detailed Spec Comparison
 2013 Mazda MAZDA5 vs. 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan2013 Mazda MAZDA5 vs. 2013 Ford C-Max2013 Mazda MAZDA5 vs. 2013 Toyota Prius V