Mazda has continued with the idea that less is more for the facelifted Mazda 5. Like the latest generation 2 and 6 models, it too seeks to decrease emissions and increase economy across its range.
This facelift has plenty to live up to – we ran a 5 as a long-term test car a couple of years back, which we widely praised for its looks. Thankfully, any changes in this area are only for the better, such as the more flowing front grille and teardrop-shaped headlights. The overall effect is to create a more streamlined appearance, making the 5 look more like a large estate car than a people carrier.
More importantly for fleets, alterations across the range have led to a reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions in the two diesel and two petrol engines on offer. The result is a lower tax bracket for three of the four, with both diesels dropping two BIK bands, thanks to CO2 falling from 173g/km to 162g/km. The 1.8 and 2.0 petrols drop from 190 to 182g/km and 198 to 187g/km respectively. All this will naturally lead to a reduction in predicted pence per mile cost as well as drivers’ tax liabilities.
The 2.0-litre petrol also gets a new gearbox, coming now with a much-needed six-speed manual gearbox as standard, with a five-speed automatic available from March.
Gripes that often arose with our long-termer focused on the small centre seat in the second row. Unfortunately, this remains the same, meaning the 5 is more a six-seater than a genuine seven-seat MPV. However, the rear sliding door – still unique in this sector – means that access to the back poses few problems, while the self-opening electric doors available as an option on the top-specification model makes this even less of an issue.
Costs-wise, the diesel is likely to remain the most attractive option in the range. With a reduction of CO2 emissions and a predicted increase in fuel economy from 44.8mpg to 46.6mpg on the 143PS 2.0D, Mazda has made an already successful model that bit more attractive.
