Mazda5 will officially die this year
Thu, Aug 6 2015
The news was presented quietly and unremarkably, with Mazda giving its compact minivan a single-line obituary as part of an announcement recapping changes to the brand's lineup for 2016: "There are no plans at this time to bring a replacement Mazda5 to the US market beyond the 2015 model year."
Despite being a critical favorite for its fun-to-drive nature and seven-seat capacity, the 5 never really resonated with consumers, representing a small percentage of Mazda's total sales. In its best sales year, 2008, only about 22,000 were sold, representing only about eight percent of the brand's sales that year. That percentage was even smaller in recent years, as the 5's sales fell into the low ten-thousands.
In other Mazda news, the brand is making a number of small, subtle changes to its lineup. Almost all of them constitute new ore removed options and are available for your perusal in the attached press release. Scroll down for a look.
2016 MAZDA LINEUP: WHAT'S NEW
Having launched two refreshed and two all-new models for the 2016 model year, Mazda North American Operations is keeping busy with broadening its award-winning lineup of cars and crossovers. For the 2016 model year, Mazda is keen to maintain its leadership in providing unmatched KODO—Soul of Motion design and excellent driving dynamics and democratizing advanced safety technologies like Mazda Radar Cruise Control and Smart Brake Support into even its smallest, most affordable vehicles.
Mazda6 and CX-5 return for 2016 with new styling elements, interior amenities and refinement. Mazda CX-3 enters the North American market in a new, hot segment, and MX-5 Miata continues its mission to provide unadulterated driving thrills to the masses. Last but not least, Mazda3 has been repackaged for 2016. Below is a list of what's new and different with Mazda's 2016 lineup.
Mazda3
MSRP starting from $17,845
Mazda3i SV discontinued
Rearview camera standard on all Mazda3 models
Mazda3s Touring four- and five-door models with six-speed manual transmission discontinued
Auto-dimming interior mirror standard on Mazda3i Grand Touring four- and five-door models
Auto-dimming interior mirror standard on Mazda3s Touring four- and five-door models
New equipment packages:
Mazda3 Sport Preferred Equipment Package:
Alloy wheels
Heated body-color dual power door mirrors with integrated turn signal lamps
Rear seat armrest with cupholders
Auto on/off headlights
Rain-sensing windshield wipers
Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Mazda3 Touring Popular Equipment Package:
Auto-dimming interior mirror
Dual-zone (driver and front passenger) automatic climate control system
BOSE® nine-speaker surround sound system with Centerpoint® 2 and AutoPilot® 2
SiriusXM satellite radio with four-month subscription
CD player
Shark fin antenna
Auto on/off headlights and rain-sensing windshield wipers standard on all Mazda3 Touring and Grand Touring four- and five-door models
Added as standard equipment on Mazda3i Touring four- and five-door models:
Power moonroof with one-touch open
Illuminated vanity mirrors (driver and passenger)
Overhead console with sunglasses holder
Mazda5
There are no plans at this time to bring a replacement Mazda5 to the U.S. market beyond the 2015 model year.
Mazda6
MSRP starting from $21,495
All models receive:
Electronic parking brake
Upgraded center console, dash and armrest design
Sonic Silver Metallic and Titanium Flash Metallic replace Liquid Silver Metallic
Mazda6 Sport:
Standard Bluetooth wireless audio and phone pairing to manual model (standard on 2015 Mazda6 Sport automatic)
Mazda6 Sport and Touring add standard-equipment:
Seven-inch full-color touchscreen display with multifunction commander control with MAZDA CONNECTTM infotainment system that replaces 5.8-inch display (Sport six-speed manual model does not receive MAZDA CONNECTTM system)
Sport mode button (automatic transmission only)
Manual passenger seat lifter
Mazda6 Grand Touring:
Parchment leather replaces Almond leather
New gauges design
Seven-inch MAZDA CONNECTTM display replaces 5.8-inch unit
Active driving display head-up unit
LED interior lamps replace halogen units
Sport mode button
Power passenger seat lifter
LED fog lamps replaces halogen fog lamps
New front bumper and grille design
New LED combination tail lights
New LED lighting signature grille
Touring Technology Package (requires BOSE®/moonroof/satellite radio package and automatic transmission):
New front bumper and grille design
New LED combination tail lights
LED headlights replace halogen headlights
New Adaptive Front-lighting system (AFS)
New heated front seats
Navigation becomes dealer-installed option
Grand Touring Technology Package:
New Smart Brake Support (SBS) with Collision Warning
Mazda MX-5 Miata
MSRP starting from $24,915
All-new for 2016, Mazda MX-5 sheds approximately 150 pounds compared to the previous model, using Mazda's SKYACTIV Technology. The 2016 MX-5 comes powered exclusively by a 2.0-liter SKYACTIV-G engine in North America, which produces 155 horsepower at 6,000 RPM and 148 lb-ft of torque at 4,600 RPM. New features include:
Smart Keyless Access (standard with automatic transmission; available with manual transmission)
No longer has Bilstein suspension package available a la carte
MX-5 Sport:
Standard six-speed manual transmission (replaces standard five-speed manual in MX-5 Sport)
Bluetooth wireless phone and audio pairing
Cloth Top (previously vinyl standard)
Standard LED headlamps and tail lights (bulb turn signals)
Power door locks with speed sensors
Trip computer
USB audio input port
Leather shift knob
Single CD player
Cruise control (automatic transmission)
MX-5 Club:
MAZDA CONNECTTM Infotainment System with seven-inch full-color touchscreen display
Multi-Function Commander Control
HD Radio
Two USB audio input ports
BOSE® nine-speaker audio system
SiriusXM satellite radio
MX-5 Club is the only trim level to receive a Bilstein sport suspension, front lip and rear deck spoilers and, when equipped with a manual transmission, limited-slip rear differential and shock tower braces
MX-5 Club Brembo/BBS Package
Rear bumper and side sill extensions
Forged lightweight BBS 17-inch wheels
Brembo front calipers and rotors
Red-painted brake calipers at all four wheels
MX-5 Grand Touring:
MAZDA CONNECTTM Infotainment System with seven-inch full-color touchscreen display
Navigation
Multi-Function Commander Control
HD Radio
Two USB audio input ports
BOSE® nine-speaker audio system
SiriusXM satellite radio
Blind spot monitoring
Rear cross traffic alert
Adaptive Front-lighting system (AFS)
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
Automatic headlamps with high beam control
Rain-sensing wipers
Mazda CX-3
MSRP starting from $19,960
The 2016 Mazda CX-3 is an all-new vehicle for Mazda and enters the quickly burgeoning subcompact CUV segment. CX-3 comes standard in North America with a 2.0-liter SKYACTIV-G engine, which produces 146 horsepower and 146 lb-ft of torque. It comes paired exclusively with a six-speed SKYACTIV-DRIVE automatic transmission and is available in front-wheel or predictive i-ACTIV all-wheel drive. Trim levels include Sport, Touring and Grand Touring.
Other features:
An available tri-tone cabin with leather and Lux Suede seating surfaces
Available adaptive LED headlights, LED tail lights, Mazda Radar Cruise Control and Advanced Blind Spot Monitoring
Sixteen-inch or available 18-inch alloy wheels
Class-leading EPA-rated fuel economy of 29 mpg city/35 mpg highway/31 mpg combined (FWD); 27 mpg city/32 mpg highway/29 mpg combined (i-ACTIV AWD)
Mazda CX-5
MSRP starting from $21,795
SKYACTIV-G 2.5-liter engine replaces 2.0-liter engine on front-wheel-drive models equipped with an automatic transmission. The 155-horsepower, 2.0-liter is only available with the six-speed manual transmission on CX-5 Sport models
Sport mode button added to all automatic-equipped CX-5s
Sonic Silver Metallic paint replaces Liquid Silver Metallic; Titanium Flash Mica added
Changes for all models:
New grille and fog light surrounds
Electronic parking brake replaces hand brake
Upgraded center console, dashboard and armrest design
CX-5 Sport:
Standard Bluetooth hands-free phone pairing and audio streaming (automatic model)
New cloth seat design
CX-5 Sport Rear Camera Package:
Rearview camera
Seven-inch full-color touchscreen display with multifunction commander control
MAZDA CONNECTTM infotainment system
HD radio
CX-5 Touring:
Multifunction commander control
Seven-inch full-color touchscreen display with multifunction commander control (replaces 5.8-inch screen)
MAZDA CONNECTTM infotainment system
Manual passenger seat lifter
New cloth seat design
CX-5 Touring Technology Package (requires Moonroof/BOSE® Package):
LED headlights (replaces bi-xenon headlights from 2015 model)
LED daytime running lamps (replace standard halogen units)
LED signature daytime running lights (replace standard halogen units)
LED rear combination tail lights
CX-5 Grand Touring:
Multifunction commander control
Seven-inch full-color touchscreen display with multifunction commander control (replaces 5.8-inch screen)
MAZDA CONNECTTM infotainment system
New 19-inch wheel design
Parchment leather replaces Almond leather
GT Technology Package:
LED headlights (replaces bi-xenon headlights from 2015 model)
LED daytime running lamps (replace standard halogen units)
LED signature daytime running lights (replace standard halogen units)
LED rear combination tail lights
ACTIVSENSE Package (New package; requires GT Technology Package)
Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC) with Close Proximity Warning
Smart Brake Support (SBS) with Collision Warning
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
High Beam Control (HBC)
Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States and Mexico through nearly 700 dealers. Operations in Mexico are managed by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City. For more information on Mazda vehicles, including photography and B-roll, please visit the online Mazda media center at www.mazdausamedia.com.
Having launched two refreshed and two all-new models for the 2016 model year, Mazda North American Operations is keeping busy with broadening its award-winning lineup of cars and crossovers. For the 2016 model year, Mazda is keen to maintain its leadership in providing unmatched KODO—Soul of Motion design and excellent driving dynamics and democratizing advanced safety technologies like Mazda Radar Cruise Control and Smart Brake Support into even its smallest, most affordable vehicles.
Mazda6 and CX-5 return for 2016 with new styling elements, interior amenities and refinement. Mazda CX-3 enters the North American market in a new, hot segment, and MX-5 Miata continues its mission to provide unadulterated driving thrills to the masses. Last but not least, Mazda3 has been repackaged for 2016. Below is a list of what's new and different with Mazda's 2016 lineup.
Mazda3
MSRP starting from $17,845
Mazda3i SV discontinued
Rearview camera standard on all Mazda3 models
Mazda3s Touring four- and five-door models with six-speed manual transmission discontinued
Auto-dimming interior mirror standard on Mazda3i Grand Touring four- and five-door models
Auto-dimming interior mirror standard on Mazda3s Touring four- and five-door models
New equipment packages:
Mazda3 Sport Preferred Equipment Package:
Alloy wheels
Heated body-color dual power door mirrors with integrated turn signal lamps
Rear seat armrest with cupholders
Auto on/off headlights
Rain-sensing windshield wipers
Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Mazda3 Touring Popular Equipment Package:
Auto-dimming interior mirror
Dual-zone (driver and front passenger) automatic climate control system
BOSE® nine-speaker surround sound system with Centerpoint® 2 and AutoPilot® 2
SiriusXM satellite radio with four-month subscription
CD player
Shark fin antenna
Auto on/off headlights and rain-sensing windshield wipers standard on all Mazda3 Touring and Grand Touring four- and five-door models
Added as standard equipment on Mazda3i Touring four- and five-door models:
Power moonroof with one-touch open
Illuminated vanity mirrors (driver and passenger)
Overhead console with sunglasses holder
Mazda5
There are no plans at this time to bring a replacement Mazda5 to the U.S. market beyond the 2015 model year.
Mazda6
MSRP starting from $21,495
All models receive:
Electronic parking brake
Upgraded center console, dash and armrest design
Sonic Silver Metallic and Titanium Flash Metallic replace Liquid Silver Metallic
Mazda6 Sport:
Standard Bluetooth wireless audio and phone pairing to manual model (standard on 2015 Mazda6 Sport automatic)
Mazda6 Sport and Touring add standard-equipment:
Seven-inch full-color touchscreen display with multifunction commander control with MAZDA CONNECTTM infotainment system that replaces 5.8-inch display (Sport six-speed manual model does not receive MAZDA CONNECTTM system)
Sport mode button (automatic transmission only)
Manual passenger seat lifter
Mazda6 Grand Touring:
Parchment leather replaces Almond leather
New gauges design
Seven-inch MAZDA CONNECTTM display replaces 5.8-inch unit
Active driving display head-up unit
LED interior lamps replace halogen units
Sport mode button
Power passenger seat lifter
LED fog lamps replaces halogen fog lamps
New front bumper and grille design
New LED combination tail lights
New LED lighting signature grille
Touring Technology Package (requires BOSE®/moonroof/satellite radio package and automatic transmission):
New front bumper and grille design
New LED combination tail lights
LED headlights replace halogen headlights
New Adaptive Front-lighting system (AFS)
New heated front seats
Navigation becomes dealer-installed option
Grand Touring Technology Package:
New Smart Brake Support (SBS) with Collision Warning
Mazda MX-5 Miata
MSRP starting from $24,915
All-new for 2016, Mazda MX-5 sheds approximately 150 pounds compared to the previous model, using Mazda's SKYACTIV Technology. The 2016 MX-5 comes powered exclusively by a 2.0-liter SKYACTIV-G engine in North America, which produces 155 horsepower at 6,000 RPM and 148 lb-ft of torque at 4,600 RPM. New features include:
Smart Keyless Access (standard with automatic transmission; available with manual transmission)
No longer has Bilstein suspension package available a la carte
MX-5 Sport:
Standard six-speed manual transmission (replaces standard five-speed manual in MX-5 Sport)
Bluetooth wireless phone and audio pairing
Cloth Top (previously vinyl standard)
Standard LED headlamps and tail lights (bulb turn signals)
Power door locks with speed sensors
Trip computer
USB audio input port
Leather shift knob
Single CD player
Cruise control (automatic transmission)
MX-5 Club:
MAZDA CONNECTTM Infotainment System with seven-inch full-color touchscreen display
Multi-Function Commander Control
HD Radio
Two USB audio input ports
BOSE® nine-speaker audio system
SiriusXM satellite radio
MX-5 Club is the only trim level to receive a Bilstein sport suspension, front lip and rear deck spoilers and, when equipped with a manual transmission, limited-slip rear differential and shock tower braces
MX-5 Club Brembo/BBS Package
Rear bumper and side sill extensions
Forged lightweight BBS 17-inch wheels
Brembo front calipers and rotors
Red-painted brake calipers at all four wheels
MX-5 Grand Touring:
MAZDA CONNECTTM Infotainment System with seven-inch full-color touchscreen display
Navigation
Multi-Function Commander Control
HD Radio
Two USB audio input ports
BOSE® nine-speaker audio system
SiriusXM satellite radio
Blind spot monitoring
Rear cross traffic alert
Adaptive Front-lighting system (AFS)
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
Automatic headlamps with high beam control
Rain-sensing wipers
Mazda CX-3
MSRP starting from $19,960
The 2016 Mazda CX-3 is an all-new vehicle for Mazda and enters the quickly burgeoning subcompact CUV segment. CX-3 comes standard in North America with a 2.0-liter SKYACTIV-G engine, which produces 146 horsepower and 146 lb-ft of torque. It comes paired exclusively with a six-speed SKYACTIV-DRIVE automatic transmission and is available in front-wheel or predictive i-ACTIV all-wheel drive. Trim levels include Sport, Touring and Grand Touring.
Other features:
An available tri-tone cabin with leather and Lux Suede seating surfaces
Available adaptive LED headlights, LED tail lights, Mazda Radar Cruise Control and Advanced Blind Spot Monitoring
Sixteen-inch or available 18-inch alloy wheels
Class-leading EPA-rated fuel economy of 29 mpg city/35 mpg highway/31 mpg combined (FWD); 27 mpg city/32 mpg highway/29 mpg combined (i-ACTIV AWD)
Mazda CX-5
MSRP starting from $21,795
SKYACTIV-G 2.5-liter engine replaces 2.0-liter engine on front-wheel-drive models equipped with an automatic transmission. The 155-horsepower, 2.0-liter is only available with the six-speed manual transmission on CX-5 Sport models
Sport mode button added to all automatic-equipped CX-5s
Sonic Silver Metallic paint replaces Liquid Silver Metallic; Titanium Flash Mica added
Changes for all models:
New grille and fog light surrounds
Electronic parking brake replaces hand brake
Upgraded center console, dashboard and armrest design
CX-5 Sport:
Standard Bluetooth hands-free phone pairing and audio streaming (automatic model)
New cloth seat design
CX-5 Sport Rear Camera Package:
Rearview camera
Seven-inch full-color touchscreen display with multifunction commander control
MAZDA CONNECTTM infotainment system
HD radio
CX-5 Touring:
Multifunction commander control
Seven-inch full-color touchscreen display with multifunction commander control (replaces 5.8-inch screen)
MAZDA CONNECTTM infotainment system
Manual passenger seat lifter
New cloth seat design
CX-5 Touring Technology Package (requires Moonroof/BOSE® Package):
LED headlights (replaces bi-xenon headlights from 2015 model)
LED daytime running lamps (replace standard halogen units)
LED signature daytime running lights (replace standard halogen units)
LED rear combination tail lights
CX-5 Grand Touring:
Multifunction commander control
Seven-inch full-color touchscreen display with multifunction commander control (replaces 5.8-inch screen)
MAZDA CONNECTTM infotainment system
New 19-inch wheel design
Parchment leather replaces Almond leather
GT Technology Package:
LED headlights (replaces bi-xenon headlights from 2015 model)
LED daytime running lamps (replace standard halogen units)
LED signature daytime running lights (replace standard halogen units)
LED rear combination tail lights
ACTIVSENSE Package (New package; requires GT Technology Package)
Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC) with Close Proximity Warning
Smart Brake Support (SBS) with Collision Warning
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
High Beam Control (HBC)
Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States and Mexico through nearly 700 dealers. Operations in Mexico are managed by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City. For more information on Mazda vehicles, including photography and B-roll, please visit the online Mazda media center at www.mazdausamedia.com.
By Brandon Turkus
See also: Fourth-gen Mazda MX-5 Miata could get turbo power later in life, Mazda MX-5 Miata goes Head 2 Head with Subaru BRZ, Mazda recalls 193k CX-9 crossovers over corroded suspension.