Driving Sports

Mazda will reveal the all-new Mazda5 microvan at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show on March 2 and 3. As with all their 2010 offerings, Mazda has refashioned the Mazda5 with their signature Nagare design cues. The press release is all aflutter about it: "The new Mazda5 features an emotional design that blends elegance with a dynamic spirit. It will be the first Mazda production model to fully adopt Mazda’s Nagare (meaning “flow” in Japanese) design language, which finds inspiration in the beauty of flows found in nature."

Honestly, we think that Mazda has not done themselves any favors applying  concept car styling to the Mazda3, Mazda6, and RX-8 so far. It's just too contrived and comic-booky. But on the homely little Mazda5, it just might work.

The thing about the Mazda5 is that its body style most resembles the old Chevy Lumina APV/Pontiac Trans Sport minivans. But when you get in and drive, it's a fantastic little car – gifted with a full measure of Mazda's sports car DNA. In other words, the Mazda5 is a girl with a great personality, but your friends are going to snicker behind your back when you show up with her.

But the Nagare styling will give the Mazda5 a little more visual pizzazz to go with its zippy sports car engine and suspension. Mazda says it's functional, too: "The new Mazda5’s design achieves excellent aerodynamic characteristics with an outstanding drag coefficient and lift balance."

For green buyers, Mazda offers what they call Sustainable Zoom-Zoom. The new Mazda5 emits approximately 15 percent less CO2 than the current model. Whether stuck in traffic or cruising on the highway, the all-new Mazda5 significantly reduces CO2 emissions thanks to the effective combination of i-stop, the high combustion efficiency provided by direct injection, and a six-speed manual transmission with optimized gear ratios.

We think Mazda has done the right thing with the Mazda5, and as always, we recommend you look past the frumpy bodywork and discover the sports car within. If you need a van but you want a sports coupe, try the Mazda5.