The new 1.6-litre diesel returns 5.2 litres/100km compared to 6.1 litres/100km in the previous model and CO2 emissions are lower too, at 138g/km compared to 159g/km. This means it sits in motor tax Band B, with annual road tax of just €156.
The Mazda5 is a seven-seater and features rear sliding doors, which makes access to the rear seats easy in confined spaces. The second- and third-row of seats can be folded into a variety of positions and they can also be folded flat to create a 1,485-litre luggage space.
Safety features include ABS brakes, electronic brake force distribution, traction control, stability control and front, side and curtain airbags.
There are four specifications to choose from: Comfort, Executive, Executive SE and Sport. Mazda reckons the third highest-spec model, the Executive SE, will be the biggest seller and this has Bluetooth, climate control, parking sensors, cruise control and 16-inch alloy wheels as standard.
Prices start at €24,995 for the Comfort model; there is a €1,000 price walk to Executive and again to Executive SE. The top spec Sport model, which gets electric sliding doors, is €29,995.
Click here to read our First Drive in the 2011 Mazda5.
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