Please explain why not 7 seats in US Mazda5

Unregistered · Jan 16, 2006

Hi,
We are looking at getting a Mazda5 in the future. I heard that the European version had 7 seats (a nice option) and wonder if anyone knows why the US one can't? or if you could order the seat from Europe and install it? (Husband used to be a car mechanic and has installed seat belts/seats etc before.) Here is the link to the EU site with pictures of the 7 seats:

http://www.theallnewmazda5.com/en-gb/

Another site said:

"In fact, in Europe where the Mazda5 has been on sale for several months, you can get it in a seven seat configuration with three across second row seating. That package will not make it to these shores because the seat belt anchors for the center passenger are not able to be positioned correctly to meet US regulations. So if you have seven people to transport, you will just have to resort to musical chairs."

(um, I would say musical chairs wouldn't make six seats into 7, alhtough I suppose I could try it?)

Thanks for any help. I do realize that I probably couldn't get 3 car seats across with three seats, but it would be nice to have that extra seat.

Joy
DD 8-21-03 RF in WZ (for 2 more lbs!)
Possible expecting #2???

Dillipop · Jan 17, 2006

It sounds like a 7th seat does not conform to US standards. Maybe the belts would be too close together? I personally like the 6 seats. Everyone should have plenty of room and child seats would be easy to install. No having to shove 3 seats onto the same bench. Plus, not having to climb over a seat to get at the 3rd row. There are lots of things in Europe that we don't have here. Maybe the car is not wide enough to support that 3rd seat while keeping the outboard passengers safe? We may never know why, but maybe calling Mazda would get an answer.

Dreaming_of_Speed · Jan 17, 2006

The overhead pictures show an extremely thin middle seat. It also is not as long in the lower seat area and not as tall in the back as the outboard seats.

Under comfort i found this "The Karakuri centre seat can also be adapted to provide an armrest or lifted sideways to provide a walkway through to the rear seats" So i am going to guess that this seat is more like a tiny jump seat that isn't the same as the other seats (if its light enough to just be lifted out of the way every time you use the rear seat it may not be properly reinforced, seats are normally somewhat heavy so this worries me)

joolsplus3 · Jan 18, 2006

Just as a side note...wouldn't it be nice if there WERE a middle seat option that was absolutely allowed to be dedicated to children only? That eensy little seat might as well just be a child sized seat with a harness.

Some huge moron would sit in it, get himself injured, and sue Mazda, so of course we can't have it...sigh...

Ok, rant off

.

Anyway, I just really wouldn't mess with it...the expense of getting one of those second seats from EU or Japan would outweigh any savings you'd get by not just buying a good 7 seater minivan, I bet....

Unregistered · Jan 19, 2006

Thanks- one just gets curious about these things....I still might see if it's POSSIBLE to get one, but since we don't even have a 5 yet, no biggie!
Joy

SafeDad · Jan 19, 2006

That's not much different than the PlusOne seat in the new Odyssey. It really isn't big enough for much more than a teen, booster, child big enough to be out of a booster or a narrow carseat. Even so, I'm sure there will be lawsuits because Honda didn't put a height or weight limit on it...

Please explain why not 7 seats in US Mazda5

Unregistered

Guest

Dillipop

Well-known member

Dreaming_of_Speed

Senior Community Member

joolsplus3

Admin - CPS Technician

Unregistered

Guest

SafeDad

CPSDarren - Admin

Car-Seat.Org Facebook Group

Sponsors

Forum statistics