Wally has a 2010 Mazda5 that has done an excellent job of a family hauler with it’s balance of reasonable size and usability. But the old Mazda is reaching the end of it’s days and he wants to replace it with a similar type of car with more modern features. What car should he buy?
(Welcome back to What Car Should You Buy? Where we give real people real advice about buying cars. Do you want us to help you find a car? Submit your story on our form.)
Here is the scenario.
Our 2010 Mazda5 is falling apart. It’s our second Mazda5 (we leased a 2007). We love the “microvan” size – it’s somehow the inside is way bigger than the outside, and it drives nicely for what it is. They stopped making the Mazda5 around 2015, or we would buy another one. We really like the size and usability aspect of the Mazda and would like something that fits the same mold but with some updated features. Our budget is about $25,000
Quick Facts:
Budget: $25,000
Location: Long Island, NY
Daily Driver: Yes
Wants: Usability, easy to park, modern features
Doesn’t want: Something too big
Expert 1: Tom McParland – Make A Connection
The Mazda5 was a great car for folks who really understood their vehicle needs. While it was just right sized for families, but the four-cylinder engine could feel a bit sluggish and it didn’t get great gas mileage for the compromise in power. No other brand really copied the mini-minivan formula, but Ford came close with the Transit Connect.
The Transit was primarily designed as a commercial van for contractors, but there was also a “passenger” version that could seat six or seven depending on the configuration. These were not the most comfortable vans, but they will get the job done in moving a lot of people around town while being barely bigger than a mid-size sedan. Transit Connects can be found under $25,000 but watch out for ones with rough histories. Here is a 2020 XLT trim with 37,000 miles right under your budget ceiling.
Expert 2: Collin Woodard – More Practical Than It Seems
So I see you like the Mazda5, Wally. And you really are onto something there. Those things are ridiculously practical for their size and can fit far more stuff than most people would expect. Unfortunately for you, much like the 2011 sitcom Happy Endings, the microvan was just too smart to ever succeed in America. The best direct replacement I can suggest is the Kia Rondo, and I get the feeling you probably don’t want one of those.
What makes recommending a new car even harder is the fact that we don’t really know much about your situation. You say “we” a lot, but I have no way of knowing how many people “we” really is. I’m assuming you have a partner of some sort and perhaps a kid or two, but I don’t really know. It could just be you and a few dogs. The Transit Connect already has you covered if you have lots of kids, but if it’s just one or maybe two, and you love how surprisingly practical the Mazda5 is, what about the Honda Fit?
Honda made the Fit until 2020, and even the highest-end trims should be available for $25,000 or less. After all, that’s about where the Fit topped out when it was new. If you want even fancier tech or need more space than the Fit provides, then my feelings won’t be hurt if you pick something else. That said, its flexible seating arrangement really does make it way more practical than its small size might suggest.
Expert 3: Bradley Brownell – A Little Bigger
$25,000 is a tough budget to have for van shopping, they’re all so astronomically expensive these days. I think your best move is to find another Mazda5 if you like them, honestly. Seemingly good examples can be found for under 10 grand with 70,000 miles on them, which seems like a really good call if the car still fits your family’s needs.
If you’re dead set on something newer and more modern, maybe try the Mercedes-Benz Metris? These are definitely a size up from the Mazda5, and they feel more like a cargo van converted to carry people, because that’s what they are. Newer examples are still quite pricey, but I found this 2019 people carrier for just a little more than your budget at $26,500. It’s got 89,000 miles on the clock, but that’s just getting started.
Carries seven passengers and has a Mercedes 3-pointed star. What more could you ask for?
Expert 4: Erin Marquis – Are You A Soul Man?
I know Kia hasn’t had the best reputation in recent years, but the Soul is still an incredibly solid car, and now that they are much more difficult to steal, perhaps they’re worth your attention as well.
You’re a Mazda guy, which means you obviously like to stand out from the crowd a bit, so maybe a Kia is a little too every day for you. The price is so right, however, that it’s worth mentioning. For your budget, you can get a fully loaded, brand new Kia Soul EX, with every bell, whistle and color option you could dream of. The Soul is a great option for families looking for small but functional, affordable but fair quality ride. It parks and maneuvers in cities like a dream while still hauling 62.1 cubic feet of storage space with the rear seats down.
Unfortunately you can no longer get a turbocharged engine in the new one, but like I said, at least these are much less steal-able.
