Mazda 5 2.0 DISI

Mazda will replace its 5 midi-MPV in autumn 2010 and CAR's just driven the new minivan. The new Mazda 5 (2010) is the first production car to bear the full fruits of the company's much-vaunted 'Nagare' design policy, with some highly unusual sculpting on the flanks.

As you can read in our news story here, that design direction is being wound back after the departure of its champion, design director Laurens van den Acker who defected to Renault. Which makes the Mazda 5 something of a curio: this could end up being the only Mazda to wear its Nagare styling on its sleeve.

So the new Mazda 5 will be the last wavy Mazda?

Sort of. Don't expect every last nuance of the Nature-inspired Nagare programme to be ditched overnight, but the general feeling is it was too fussy. So cleaner, more elegant, simple designs will be forthcoming, CAR understands.

The 5 is quite boxy and, although Mazda touts this as a new model, it is in fact a carryover of the previous 5 under the skin. The glasshouse, roof and basic architecture are all the same as before – just spruced up with some new panels, a new IP on the dashboard and a host of new technology under the bonnet.

The twin sliding rear doors remain, however. They're a real practicality boon, making opening the doors so much safer (they take up just 160mm of space when open). They're electrically operated on higher spec models, or as an optional extra.

Hmmm. The new 2010 Mazda 5 looks challenging!

It's quite colour and angle sensitive. Those meandering side styling lines work well in some lights, but look fussy from others. It's like the surface entertainment on a Seat cranked up to 11.

While the front end of the 5 is all family-spec Mazda gobby, like on the 3 hatchback, the rear end is less successful. They've ditched the vertical lights on the old midi-MPV and replaced them with chunky, horizontal items that lend the rear aspect a dumpy look.

In fact, spying an outgoing Mazda 5 on the launch made me think this whole design is a massive step backwards.

resoures : car