Category: Compact MPV 
Price Range: £16,245 to £20,295
Fine drive, rear sliding doors, improved 2.0-litre petrol engine.
Not a true seven-seater, traditional MPV looks, S-Max has better ride handling compromise.
Mid-life tweaks improve what already is a very impressive MPV.
Mazda has worked hard to improve refinement in the 5, especially with the diesel engines. Measures include a new sound-deadening film between the roof lining and roof panel to reduce the amount of road noise; the fresh air intake has been tweaked by adding resonators to alter the frequency of the engine noise; and road rumble has been reduced by increasing the rigidity of the alloy wheels.
Refinement has also increased, especially in the diesel models, where once the typical clattering soundtrack has been hushed: however, there's still a fair amount of wind noise, caused by the large door mirrors.
With prices starting at well under £15,000 for 1.8 TS models, the 5 looks fine value. Peruse the list of standard equipment and even the base model doesn't skimp on kit, with air conditioning, height-adjustable steering wheel and driver's seat, and a third row of seats included.
Paying £700 more adds 16" alloys, electric rear windows, lumbar support and leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear lever.
Sport models (not available with the 1.8-litre engine) add 17" wheels, body kit, rear LED tail lamps, cruise control, Bluetooth and a six-CD player.
The range-topping Sport Nav adds satellite navigation and a rear-reversing camera. The only options are metallic paint (£350) and parking sensors (£585).
Power sliding doors are only available in conjunction with the Luxury Pack (£1,750) that also includes, leather and xenon lamps.
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