Mazda5 built with families in mind

The 2010 version of the three-row, six-passenger vehicle offers plenty to love. Plus, it’s a good bet that dealers will look to move 2010 models quickly, as a new Mazda5 was unveiled this week at the Geneva Auto Show. Of course that means deals. Candidly, though, with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price that starts at just below $18,000, the car is a bargain now.

The vehicle had its last face-lift in 2008 and it still looks fresh. It boasts a wide stance — 108-inch wheelbase and 181.5-inch length — that is assertive without resembling a house on wheels. Basically, that means it has the interior capacity of a minivan (44.4 cubic feet with the third row folded down) without the matronly look.

The front of the car — from the sloping hood to the to the flared headlamps — is the “face” of Mazda. Add to that generously sized windows, sleek sliding doors, and fog lamps, and you have a contemporary veering toward sporty look.

Mazda notes this model was built from the inside out. Slip behind the wheel or even into a passenger seat and you’ll see that’s true. There are plenty of extras that signal someone spent time thinking about how the car would be used. Second-row captain’s chairs with armrests, under-seat storage, rear cool air vents, and standard auxiliary input jacks are all pluses.

Families will likely love the ease with which the seats can fold down into multiple configurations. Also, large sliding doors and low floors that mean even pint-size kids can climb in and out without too much hassle. I found the oversized sliding doors a bit difficult to maneuver and wonder how a smaller person would fair with them. My struggle with their bulk in both opening and closing them was the one truly sour note of the experience.

Of course the real test of the car is in the performance and Mazda5 shines. I drove the “Touring” model — which is a bit more tricked out than the “Sport” but not as fully loaded as the “Grand Touring,” which boasts interior extras such as extra leather and voice-controlled navigation.

I gave the vehicle a decent workout around town on some wet roads and through tight areas. The five-speed automatic handled well. Although you don’t have the feeling of driving a sedan, you also don’t feel like someone in the TV series “Ice Road Truckers.” Steering and braking were both agile and responsive.

I’ve read some reviewers’ gripes that the car felt underpowered. I didn’t sense that and underpowered vans are a pet peeve of mine. In fairness, though, I didn’t drive with a full complement of adults and an array of luggage or sports equipment.

This may just come down to tradeoff. Do you want a bullish engine that can power through, around, up and down everything at anytime or do you want decent gas mileage and nimble handling?

In my mind, the Mazda5 is a choice families shouldn’t overlook.