Mazda 5 questions

[essnce629]

What model year did they add the extra armrests? They used to only have one armrest on each captain chair and only an armrest for the driver, not the passenger right? This was one of the things that bothered me on the Mazda 5when it first came out but I'm pretty sure they fixed it. And didn't they change something else about it too? Was it adding air vents in the 3rd row? I know they now have leather seats as an option, but I thought something else changed too.

And for those that have a Mazda 5-- how much can you fit in the trunk? Can you fit a stroller? Regular kind or umbrella fold only? And if you keep the 3rd row folded down all the time to increase the cargo area, are you worried about it being unsafe?

We're still trying to decide on a car for us before baby #2 gets here and I think I have it narrowed down to the Mazda 5 or the Nissan Versa.

[skueppers]

They did a minor redesign for 2008, so the 2008 and 2009 models are the ones with the extra armrests and the 2nd row air-conditioning vents. 2006 and 2007 don't have them. (Or at least, I know for sure they don't have the 2nd row air-conditioning vents, I never looked at my friends' 2006 and 2007 models for the armrests specifically.)

With the 3rd row seats up, I can fit an umbrella stroller in the back of my 2009 Mazda 5 no problem, but I wouldn't think you could fit a bigger stroller back there. I don't own one, so I haven't tried it, but it doesn't look promising.

What about keeping the third row folded down would be unsafe? The prospect of the stuff you have back there being thrown around in the car in the event of an accident? I can't think of anything about just the fact of having it folded down that would be unsafe.

[essnce629]

What about keeping the third row folded down would be unsafe? The prospect of the stuff you have back there being thrown around in the car in the event of an accident?

Yeah, that's what I would worry about-- stuff flying around in an accident. Like if I had a stroller and grocery bags back there.

[southpawboston]

having the third row down does not do anything to make the car inherently less safe than any other vehicle with an open cargo area-- like any SUV or minivan. sure, there's a risk of stuff flying around in an accident... that risk is the same with any vehicle except for a sedan with a completely walled-off trunk.

[2mykids]

I believe it's Defrost? that has a Mazda 5 and always has some great advice about that vehicle.

[Namegirl]

I have a Mazda 5, but mine is a 2006, so I can't comment on the upgrades.

Yes, a full-size stroller will fit in the back. I don't worry much about keeping things in the back with the 3rd row down. If we have a lot of cargo back there, we use the cargo net to tie it all down.

I really love my car. It's been fantastic.

[jewlsvern]

I have owned both versions of the Madza5, before and after the upgrades. They did add armrests to the passenger seat and air conditioning vents in the back.
I can fit an umbrella stroller or a smaller type stroller such as a snap n go, or my small cosco one. If I want to fit my full size travel system one, I just fold down one of the back seats.
I have never had any issues with things flying around in the back and I usually have child in a booster in the 3rd row with the other side folded down.
I really love my Mazda5. I like the convenience of getting an infant seat in a out of the car. The sliding doors make it really easy to get in and out of and I don't have to worry about the older kids banging the car next to us.

[horsesitaly]

I love my '06 Mazda 5 but would love to have the passenger armrest lol. THe rear air vents do not seem to be an issue, my kids are warm here (it is below freezing a lot this winter) and were cool enough in summer (in Texas where it was humid and often over 100). Anyway, I don't have stroller age kids but I'm pretty sure you can't fit a full size stroller in the back unless you have part or all of the third row down. I have a booster kid in the 3rd row and keep the other side down to make room for groceries or luggage. I have really no more worries about stuff flying around in a crash than I would in any other van/SUV with nothing to restrain items. If you only have 2 kids, then you'll have plenty of room in the rear for stuff. It's a fun car to drive, doesn't feel mini-vanish at all to me!

[essnce629]

Thanks everyone! I'm really pushing for the Mazda 5 over the Versa now. I really like the captain's chairs and sliding doors and the fact that I'd have a 3rd row to change diapers on or breastfeed if necessary. Plus we're moving to Los Angeles after the baby is born and will probably be driving down to San Diego (2 hour drive) at least once a month to visit my mom and I just don't see how we could bring all our stuff for the weekend in the Versa. Plus if my mom comes up to visit we could all fit in the Mazda 5 if we went out to dinner instead of having to take two cars (a plus in L.A. with all the traffic and parking issues). We need to go and test drive it again since we first saw and drove it when it first came out.