Mazda Premacy

Before facelift

Interior

The new model has been for sale since 7 February 2005 in Japan and mid 2005 in export markets. It is now sold as the Mazda5 in all markets except Japan.[2] While classified by Mazda as a mid-sized wagon, it competes with other vehicles classed as Compact MPVs in Europe, and is viewed as a mini-minivan in the United States. It is based on Ford's global C1 platform, meaning it shares many parts with the Mazda3. The Mazda5 replaced the Mazda MPV as Mazda's minivan offering in most export markets.

The Mazda5's closest relative in Asia is the Ford I-Max based on the same platform. In Europe, the closest is the European compact MPV, Ford Focus C-MAX, though the Mazda5 uses minivan-style sliding doors in the rear while the Focus C-Max has four conventional front-hinged doors. This version of the vehicle was also introduced for sale in the United States, making it the first compact minivan in that market since the 1994 Mitsubishi Expo (in the United States) and 1995 Nissan Axxess (in Canada). The Mazda5 is marginally larger than the 1984–1989 Toyota Van. Competition joined the North American MPV market in 2006 with Mercedes-Benz's B200 (in Canada and Mexico) and in 2007 Kia Motors followed suit with the 2007 Kia Rondo (in the United States and Canada).

In North America, due to safety regulations, the Mazda5 fits six passengers using three rows of seats, with two seats per row. Elsewhere, it is sold as a seven-seater using Mazda's "Karakuri Seating System", which means the car has three rows of two seats, with the seventh seat a fold away jump seat in the centre of the middle row. The Mazda5 has three-point seat belts on all seven seats.

The middle row of seats recline and slide front-to-rear, and fold flat. The rear row also folds flat.

The wheelbase is 2,750 mm (108 in) with an overall length of 4,610 mm (181 in). For the Japanese domestic market it is C model/F model – 4,505 mm (177.4 in) / S model – 4,565 mm (179.7 in).

Engine options:

• 1.8 L MZR I4, 85 kW (116 PS/114 hp)
• 2.0 L MZR I4, 110 kW (150 PS/148 hp)
• 2.3 L MZR I4, 117 or 119 kW (159–162 PS/157-159 hp)
• 2.0 L MZR-CD I4 Diesel, 89 or 105 kW (105–143 PS/103-141 hp)

Mazda was forced to recall the Mazda5 in the United States shortly after production began due to a risk of exhaust system fires. Owners that were not made aware of the manual shifting mode ("sport mode") of the 4-speed automatic transmission would mistakenly leave the shifter in that position, resulting in high temperatures as the car would remain in second gear. Mazda's solution was to add a heat shield around the muffler and to alter the vehicle's software to not allow excessively high engine speeds beyond a short period of time when in "sport mode". Although the five-speed manual transmission equipped cars would seemingly not need to be recalled, Mazda chose to retrofit all Mazda5 versions with the new parts and software. The company also gave customers US$500 (for Canadian owners, it is C$500) plus a loaner car while the problem was mitigated. 2,700 vehicles were affected.

For the 2006 model year Mazda offered fewer Mazda5 options than in other markets. The North American version lacked the front-to-back roof rails that were included as standard in other markets. Other notable Mazda5 options not offered in North America included a back-up camera, power-assist side doors and even a choice of engine (2.3 L only). A second-row DVD entertainment system was eventually offered as a dealer installed add-on. Mazda produced a limited number of Mazda5 units featuring all-wheel-drive but this version was not made available outside Japan for the 2006 model year.

2007 Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid

The Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid was a version of Mazda Premacy with a two-rotor Wankel engine supporting hydrogen or gasoline fuel. The hydrogen tank with 110 l (24 imp gal; 29 US gal) at 350 bars (35,000 kPa) stores up to 2.4 kg (5.3 lb) of hydrogen and is in addition to the 60 l (13 imp gal; 16 US gal) petrol tank.[3]

The Mazda5 was named "Best New Multipurpose Family Vehicle" in the 2006 Canadian Car of the Year awards. Consumer Reports ranked the Mazda5 as the best "tall wagon" in their test, though the car failed to gain a "recommended" rating due to unknown reliability.

In April 2006, the Japan New Car Assessment Program (J-NCAP) awarded the Mazda5 a maximum six-star rating for front-occupant crash worthiness. In Europe, the Mazda5 was awarded a maximum five-star "adult occupant" safety rating in September 2005 by the Euro-NCAP.

For 2008, the Mazda Premacy/Mazda5 received a mid-cycle refresh with updated front bumper, wheels and rear LED lights for Touring and Grand Touring trim levels. The automatic gearbox was updated to five-speed. The interior received a few changes to the dash including luminescent gauges, an updated radio control layout with auxiliary input, a rear A/C vent, and center console, and a full set of armrests for the first and second seating rows on North American models. Mazda first released the 2008 Mazda Premacy in Japan, with other markets to follow.

• 
  2008 facelift
• 
  2008 facelift
• 
  2008 facelift (Rear)

For 2010, Mazda added electronic stability control and traction control to the Mazda5,[4] safety features that were formerly cited as oversights on the vehicle.[5]

In Europe the new Mazda5 is offered with either a 1.8-liter four-cylinder or a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with direct-injection and Mazda’s i-stop start/stop technology, which will reduce emissions by 15 percent. Both engines include a six-speed manual transmission as standard,[7] as well as new environmental friendly features.[8]

For 2012 the US Mazda5 comes with a 157 hp (117 kW) 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. A six-speed manual transmission is standard in the base model, with a five-speed automatic optional while both the Touring and the Grand Touring come with a five-speed automatic with manual mode. The third generation began production on 13 May 2010 and began sales in Japan on 1 July 2010. The Mazda5 comes in three grades: 20CS, 20E, and 20S. The base model CS does not include i-stop.

The Nissan Lafesta Highway STAR is a version of Mazda Premacy supplied to Nissan by Mazda Motor Corporation on an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) basis. Unlike the Premacy, the new Nissan Lafesta Highway Star ditches the Nagare design.

Nissan Lafesta Highway Star (Japan)

Japan models went on sale on 15 June 2011.[9][10]

Changes to Mazda Premacy include the introduction of SKYACTIV-G 2.0L engine and 6-speed SKYACTIV-DRIVE automatic transmission. The SKYACTIV variant of the Premacy will have a fuel economy of 16.2 km/L based on Japan's JC08 mode.

Japan models went on sale in 2013-01-24. Early models include 20C-SKYACTIV, 20S-SKYACTIV, 20S-SKYACTIV L-package, 20CS, 20C, 20S.[11]

Mazda Premacy is a version of Mazda Premacy 20S-SKYACTIV with 1-touch remote-controlled coloured door mirror in hi-gloss silver, LED door mirror winker, grill garnish in brilliant black, muffler cutter, chrome-plated outer door handle, seat in sand beige with black+ stitching, steering bezel in glossy dark grey, audio panel in glossy dark grey and silver, air-conditioning panel in glossy dark grey, 205/50R17 89V tires, 17-inch glossy aluminium wheels.

Changes to Mazda Premacy includes new titanium black mica body colour option (except 20CS), addition of deep crystal blue mica body colour option for 20S(4WD), introduction of Celebre Blue option for 20S(4WD) (seat in sand beige with black+ stitching, steering bezel in glossy dark grey, audio panel in glossy dark grey and silver, air-conditioning panel in glossy dark grey).

Japan models went on sale on 26 December 2013.[12]

Taiwan models of Mazda5 were produced by Ford Lio Ho Motor Co., Ltd.[13][14]

In the United States, 2015 was the last year that the Mazda 5 was to be imported, due to sluggish sales volumes. Mazda shifted its focus to crossover vehicles growing in popularity, like the Mazda CX-3, Mazda CX-5, and the Mazda CX-9.[15][16]

For 2016 and 2017, the Mazda 5 continued to be sold in Canada. It has been retired in the United States.[17]

Sales of the MPV (Mazda 8) ended in March 2016, while the Premacy and Biante ended on 23 February 2018.[18]