Skip advert
Advertisement

Mazda 5

MPV

You expect high-performance cars to have strong brakes, but compact MPVs need to be able to stop without fuss, too.

As with off-roaders, people carriers have improved dramatically in terms of dynamics over the past few years, and the Mazda 5 is our class favourite. It is genuinely entertaining in corners, with excellent body control, sharp steering and communicative responses. It feels more like a sporty hatchback than an MPV.

Advertisement - Article continues below

This dynamic ability helped it record very impressive stopping distances when we tested it earlier this year. But how does it cope with our more extreme lane change trial?

A 36.7 per cent increase in distance between the straight-line and avoidance tests was the smallest rise among our contenders. There’s plenty of ABS kickback through the pedal in an emergency stop, but braking power is good, and once into the lane change, the Mazda’s positive turn-in and decent front-end grip helped it change direction smoothly.

As our dramatic pictures show, the nose pitches down more than in the BMW and Mercedes, and this weight transfer causes the rear end to go light. Combined with its positive turn-in, this makes the Mazda slide at the rear during the change of direction.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

iX3

2021 BMW

iX3

20,281 milesAutomaticElectric

Cash £26,300
View iX3
2

2023 Polestar

2

37,111 milesAutomaticElectric

Cash £22,300
View 2
Sportage

2022 Kia

Sportage

23,595 milesAutomaticPetrol1.6L

Cash £26,600
View Sportage
A-Class Saloon

2021 Mercedes

A-Class Saloon

28,641 milesAutomaticDiesel2.0L

Cash £20,600
View A-Class Saloon

Fortunately, the car’s excellent body control and agile responses mean that corrective steering inputs quickly bring things back into line. Crucially, from Sport trim upwards, the 5 is fitted as standard with stability control, which reduces this tail slide during the avoidance test.

Even so, the Mazda required more driver skill to successfully complete the course and stop within the original lane than all of the cars here, bar the Ka.

In terms of stability, the heavier BMW and Mercedes coped better with changing direction and stopping at the same time, although the lighter Mazda pulled up two metres shorter than the big S-Class in the lane change.

Overall, the 5 impressed us with its braking ability, and it coped with extreme changes of direction very well for a vehicle in this class. Soggy suspension that allows lots of weight transfer is common to some MPV rivals, but the Mazda isn’t blighted in this way.

One negative is that, unlike the other cars in our test, the 5 doesn’t automatically switch on its hazards or flash its brake lights to warn drivers behind of your emergency deceleration.

Apart from that, the Mazda's technology is impressive, with electronic brake force distribution and brake assist both fitted as standard. This is a well engineered and practical family car that's a worthy member of our braking club.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

RRP £29,820Avg. savings £4,935 off RRP*Used from £13,144
Renault Clio

Renault Clio

RRP £16,160Avg. savings £2,921 off RRP*Used from £8,826
Omoda 5

Omoda 5

RRP £23,990Avg. savings £2,192 off RRP*Used from £20,921
Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo

RRP £14,480Avg. savings £1,864 off RRP*Used from £6,495
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Xiaomi YU7 2025 review: a world-beating new EV to worry the establishment
Xiaomi YU7 - front cornering

New Xiaomi YU7 2025 review: a world-beating new EV to worry the establishment

BMW or Mercedes would do anything to keep the new Xiaomi YU7 from sale in the UK and Europe, and this is why
Road tests
14 Jul 2025
The Electric Car Grant is here: Government's new £3,750 EV discount in detail
Auto Express creative director Darren Wilson charging the Lexus RZ

The Electric Car Grant is here: Government's new £3,750 EV discount in detail

The government has set out its plan to help reduce the cost of affordable EVs by introducing a new £3,750 Electric Car Grant for new EVs sold under £3…
News
16 Jul 2025
New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range
MG IM5 - Goodwood front

New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range

The all-electric IM5 brings new technology and design to the MG line-up
News
10 Jul 2025