2012 Mazda 5 has been completely redesigned.

This is specifications for 2012 Mazda5 Minivan. There’s a reason the minivan is considered the quintessential vehicle for parents. You see, it’s the perfect vehicle for schlepping around the kids and the stuff that comes along with them. No other vehicle can match the minivan’s huge interior space, three rows of seating, sliding rear doors and low ride height. Yet as great as a minivan is, it can be overkill for families with just one or two little ones. That’s where the 2012 Mazda 5 Minivan comes in. If you can afford their monthly payments, the latest minivans to hit the market will likely suit your needs just fine. But, what’s if you want something small, efficient and perhaps most important, inexpensive? Something more like the original Caravan? Right now, there is only one choice on the market: the 2012 Mazda 5 Minivan.

The Mazda5‘s seating is three rows of two each, making it nominally a six-seater. The rear two are for kids or brief use by grown-ups. An aisle between the two bucket seats in the second row provides access to the tight-fitting third row. The second-row seats slide forward, which opens space behind if second-row passengers are willing to sacrifice their generous knee and leg space.

Every 2012 Mazda 5 is powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that produces 157 horsepower and 163 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual is standard on the Sport, while a five-speed automatic is optional on the Sport and standard on everything else. In Edmunds performance testing, a 5 Grand Touring went from zero to 60 mph in 9.5 seconds — slower than most typical minivans and many compact SUVs. With either transmission of Mazda 5, fuel economy is estimated at 21 mpg city/28 highway. The new 2.5 manages 157 horsepower at 6,000 RPM and 163 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 RPM.

Mazda 5 Minivan Prices

The 2012 Mazda 5 Minivan is a nifty piece of work that could satisfy a variety of needs, including driving fun, for the relatively low price of $20,000 to $25,000.