2012 Mazda Mazda5 Sport

The Mazda5 is a compact six-seat wagon with sliding rear doors, a rare middle ground between a hatchback and a minivan. It's genuinely fun to drive for a people mover, with responsive steering and a nimble feel that makes it easy to park and maneuver in town. Fold the third row down and there's plenty of room for gear, and the captain's chairs in the middle make it easy for kids to climb in and out. Some owners mention the low-profile tires wear faster than expected, and the manual sliding doors can get harder to operate over time. The Sport is the base trim, so you get the same 2.5L I4 and sliding doors as the Touring but skip the fog lights and upgraded audio. Its 2.5L I4 makes 157 horsepower and works with a five-speed automatic, which is enough for daily driving but feels eager when you push it. The Sport rides on 16-inch steel wheels with taller sidewalls, so the ride is a bit softer than the Touring's 17-inch alloys.