2009 Mazda5 GT: Soul of a Sports Car?

Aaron Bartel takes a look at the 2009 Mazda5 in his first real car review for Driving Sports TV Live. Naturally, Ryan can't help but get involved.

Category:

• Action & Adventure
• Entertainment
• Travel

Starring:

• Aaron Bartel

Produced by:

• Ryan Douthit

Written by:

• Ryan Douthit

Tags:

• auto
• mazda
• mazda5
• touring
• van
• minivan
• test
• review

[intelligentpizza]

what do you need high speed for or handling at high speed! The roads have speed limits everywhere in the world. So what you need is handling at commonplace speeds which the Mazda 5 excels at. Right? Unless you are one of these losers who want to use the car as a penis on the private racing track. Even in the video they could hardly have a quiet road to do the run without hitting traffic or speed restrictions, right? give me a break.

[drivingsports]

You don't sound like a very fun person.

[intelligentpizza]

I apologize if in any way I offended you. I just feel that Mr Average is looking for something other than what you are trying to measure. People look for a reliable car with a nice feel at realistic speeds. Driving fast is a dangerous thing. You can run over a child or kill a motorcyclist. Driving very fast is some type of hobby but I want my car to cruise comfortably and for my kids to love it etc. Homer Simpson is a fun person and he wanted a car with a big horn etc (you saw the episode).

[drivingsports]

FWIW: Isle of Man has no speed limits, nor do sections of the Autobahn. To quote Clarkson, "Speed doesn't kill people, stopping suddenly does."

The biggest issue in the USA is a total disregard for proper driver instruction. Even within posted speed limits most drivers do not have adequate car control.

Every car can do the speed limit. It's HOW it does that speed limit that defines the differences. When pushed beyond (in controlled conditions) those differences become more pronounced.

[LilGirlFace]

who is that aaron bartel guy? he is HOT!!

[mikers73]

I think in contrast to a lot of vans currently on the market, the Mazda 5 is at least one of the more fun to drive. It's right up there with an Odyssey, though I'd prefer the reduced the weight and stringing out a 4 cylinder instead of getting into real trouble with the Odysseys v6.

Unfortunately, the Mazda 5 is the closest thing to a JDM Honda Stream, which I think would work incredibly well in the US, instead of the Accord Crosstour.

[arnold84500]

pair of idiots using a minivan like a sports car on public roads.

[LudiKajmak]

AMERICAN BULLSHIT

[alanrstepp1]

try starting on payvment not the gravels on the side of the road

[TheAuto101]

Great van

[couchfighter]

I am interested in this vehicle because it is what became of my researching the new Ford Cmax. I saw it at the autoshow and it made sense to me because of one big feature. The sliding door, thats the only thing that makes it what it is. I hate stepping in and out and around of the door when loading the kids and banging your neighbors door at the mall etc.

Man its the SLIDING DOOR.

[tvr713]

you did the 0-60 time starting in gravel... you can hear the rocks tinking off the car... that wasnt fair.

[AVIV222]

arnt the skirts eat the road in corners?

[melmar07]

@JetBlueIce GT stands for GRAND TOURING

[JetBlueIce]

I don't get the "GT" part. The Mazda5 is a good car, but there's absolutely no "zoom-zoom" in this car at all LOL. Forget about the GT version.... I mean common, Zero to Sixty in 12 seconds.... just go with the stripped down version and you will be getting what the car is really all about, its utility factor, that's why you buy a Mazda5. Not to race Honda's!