The Kiasu Element

Like purchasing most tangible products, when it comes to getting a car, getting a bang for my buck is important. It's not just about having a couple of extra features that some of my friends don't, but rather, it's about the pride and joy of purchasing something that would elicit the "wahs" and "cool" from people around you. You don't want to lose out and you don't want to lose face and most importantly, you don't want to lose too much money while achieving your goals.

This brings me to the Mazda 5.

Although I always practice honesty and 'neutrality' when it comes to reviewing a car, I have to admit that I have a soft spot for the compact MPV. I neither work for Mazda nor was I bribed by press gifts and I also have a fridge full of Heineken and Kilkenny, so do please take my praises with a spoonful of salt.

There's a selection of rides to suit all wallets and tastes. You could opt for the likes of opulence of a Land Rover Discovery 4 or an Infiniti FX37, or you could simply get down to the basics of a budget-friendly route - in which case you may just find yourself staring at the recently launched Mazda 5.

The latest compact MPV from Mazda has a sleek styling, which is an attribute not associated with any of the MPVs in its segment. It's also unique because it's the only car in Mazda's line-up to feature the brand's "Nagare" design language which can be seen by either sides of the car. It's almost a love it or hate it look, with three creased lines flowing across the electric side doors. In a way, you'd be able to boast about the joker's grin upfront and the uncommon design about the car to your peers who are probably driving a Jazz or perhaps a Lancer.

The Mazda 5 is a work of art, with its modern-designed sheet metal

In terms of its space, sedan drivers would probably squeeze in a maximum of six occupants (and that's really pushing it) but the Mazda 5 could haul a maximum of seven without even compromising on space and comfort. That's what MPVs are for. The Mazda 5 just does it in style.

But here's the deal - when it comes to manoeuvring in tighter spaces (yes it's common in Singapore) around town or multi-storey carparks, driving an MPV isn't exactly the best choice. Perhaps that's why hatchbacks are becoming increasingly popular amongst consumers. When you're squeezing down a small side street at say places like Purvis Street or Arab Street to grab a bite with your family, you'd wish that you weren't driving a full-size MPV. That's when you'd be thankful for Mazda 5's smaller footprint. Essentially a smaller version of the Mazda 8, the 5's smaller size makes it easier to manoeuvre in urban spaces.

At the price of $158,988 (as of 5th April 2012), the compact MPV from Mazda is bound to make your money's worth. It may not have the kind of plush leather or top notch materials used in a BMW or a Lexus but what it has is plasticky bits that feels solid to the touch. There's a sense of vault-like security that's essentially what you would want when ferrying your family from point to point.

Plasticky bits may fill the cabin but it feels secured

What's really neat is the jump-seat arrangement that pops up between the second row of seats to provide for the third person or the short-term accommodation for drinks. You could probably impress your relatives and friends with the 5's design specialty by folding the centre seat to suit the appropriate occasion.

On that count, you may lose out to your peers who don't care much for engineering and design trickery but where it stands firm is the way it drives. On the go, the Mazda 5's chassis, brakes and steering enhance the marque's reputation as a builder of dynamic vehicles - as exampled by the MX5, RX-8 and the latest CX-5. Throw this 1.6 tonne machine round the bends and you'll be forgiven when you forget this is a people carrier. The steering is wonderfully precise, which is quite a feat for dad's taxi.

Although it loses out to the Stream or Odyssey, the payoff is credible body control which makes the 5 very agile for an MPV. It's almost like driving a conversion van in a world where the First Law of Motion doesn't apply.

Being a Kiasu Singaporean, I reckon the Mazda 5 aces as a practical, comfortable, well-appointed, and fuel-efficient compact MPV, as well as being a fun car to drive. It might not be as posh as some its peers but it certainly does win a lot of its other peers in its segment.

The Kiasi Element

Picture this: you are married with kids; family gatherings form much of your weekend activities; and you know your in-laws are not to be messed with; or rather, you wouldn't want them to go around babbling and complaining about how uncomfortable they were, having to squeeze in your car. To add to the woes, your next-door neighbour is perpetually asking for favours: groceries, pick-up kids - you name it they ask for it - and you are the Mr Nice Guy who are afraid to turn them down.

The afore-mentioned scenario sounds like a fictitious nightmare - one that many Kiasi individuals would find it familiar. That brings us to the topic: in what way does the new Mazda 5 satisfy the Kiasi-ness in you?

Multi-Purpose Vehicles, or MPVs so as to speak, brings up a feeling that is more closely related to "resignation to fate", rather than "self-actualisation". There is little debating that MPVs are usually related to characterless, boring driving experience.

There is no ruling out that the Mazda 5 is a full-fledged MPV. Seats more than five? - check. Can swallow more cargo than your usual bread-and-butter sedan? - check. And lastly, does it look like a van? It's arguably more stylish, but the tall preposition of the Mazda 5, coupled with a hatch back does make it look like one.

In terms of market-segment rivalry, there is little doubt that the Mazda 5 does not deliver that kind of punch you get from the VTEC in the Odyssey, or huge interior allowances in the Suzuki APV. But soon you will find out, it shines in areas that others doesn't, with its well-worked packaging cleverly distinguishing it from its competitors.

For starters, you get twin power-sliding-doors which save you many worries - no more mischievous door slamming while facilitation of ingress/egress is made easier, especially at tight parking spaces. The doors can also be operated and locked via the driver's side console - are you feeling more settled already? The seating position and large windows/windscreens ensure clear all-round visibility, most probably one of the best in its class. Coupled with distance sensors, it should keep those mind-blogged about blind-spot cross traffics at bay. The versatile centre-row seating will diminish more worries too, proving its advantage for longer trips or when the occasion calls for looting 'special cargo' at the Ikea sale.

Fold the third row and worries about the lack of space will be diminished

More importantly (especially for the discerning in-laws), a smooth journey is one going to be of top priority in any family outings. One may ask then - what makes a journey smooth? Naturally, the ability to absorb shocks from pocketed tarmac comes first to mind. Note to Kiasi self: adopt a slightly more gentle driving style and all is well. This is also probably the time when one will start appreciating the smaller, less-attractive-looking alloys, which contributes quite a significant bit to the ride quality.

Powerplant in the Mazda 5 is punchy, and should get you out of uncomfortable situations in time. The downside is, however, that it needs quite some coaxing to get the horses running. In terms of drivetrain, the five-speed automatic may not be the silkiest around town, but is very unlikely to attract any sarcasm when worked properly - without an iron foot that is. The brakes too, are easy to get used to - progressive sensitivity is great for nudge-less braking.

The latest Mazda 5 has inherited the qualities that we have grown to love about its predecessors. In the styling department, there is no doubt the car tip towards the conservative end of the scale. But by no means is it any less appealing than its closest rivals - for instance the ones you would pick to go picnic in.

Worrying seems much less of a chore now, does it?

The Kiasu Element

Like purchasing most tangible products, when it comes to getting a car, getting a bang for my buck is important. It's not just about having a couple of extra features that some of my friends don't, but rather, it's about the pride and joy of purchasing something that would elicit the "wahs" and "cool" from people around you. You don't want to lose out and you don't want to lose face and most importantly, you don't want to lose too much money while achieving your goals.

This brings me to the Mazda 5.

Although I always practice honesty and 'neutrality' when it comes to reviewing a car, I have to admit that I have a soft spot for the compact MPV. I neither work for Mazda nor was I bribed by press gifts and I also have a fridge full of Heineken and Kilkenny, so do please take my praises with a spoonful of salt.

There's a selection of rides to suit all wallets and tastes. You could opt for the likes of opulence of a Land Rover Discovery 4 or an Infiniti FX37, or you could simply get down to the basics of a budget-friendly route - in which case you may just find yourself staring at the recently launched Mazda 5.

The latest compact MPV from Mazda has a sleek styling, which is an attribute not associated with any of the MPVs in its segment. It's also unique because it's the only car in Mazda's line-up to feature the brand's "Nagare" design language which can be seen by either sides of the car. It's almost a love it or hate it look, with three creased lines flowing across the electric side doors. In a way, you'd be able to boast about the joker's grin upfront and the uncommon design about the car to your peers who are probably driving a Jazz or perhaps a Lancer.

The Mazda 5 is a work of art, with its modern-designed sheet metal

In terms of its space, sedan drivers would probably squeeze in a maximum of six occupants (and that's really pushing it) but the Mazda 5 could haul a maximum of seven without even compromising on space and comfort. That's what MPVs are for. The Mazda 5 just does it in style.

But here's the deal - when it comes to manoeuvring in tighter spaces (yes it's common in Singapore) around town or multi-storey carparks, driving an MPV isn't exactly the best choice. Perhaps that's why hatchbacks are becoming increasingly popular amongst consumers. When you're squeezing down a small side street at say places like Purvis Street or Arab Street to grab a bite with your family, you'd wish that you weren't driving a full-size MPV. That's when you'd be thankful for Mazda 5's smaller footprint. Essentially a smaller version of the Mazda 8, the 5's smaller size makes it easier to manoeuvre in urban spaces.

At the price of $158,988 (as of 5th April 2012), the compact MPV from Mazda is bound to make your money's worth. It may not have the kind of plush leather or top notch materials used in a BMW or a Lexus but what it has is plasticky bits that feels solid to the touch. There's a sense of vault-like security that's essentially what you would want when ferrying your family from point to point.

Plasticky bits may fill the cabin but it feels secured

What's really neat is the jump-seat arrangement that pops up between the second row of seats to provide for the third person or the short-term accommodation for drinks. You could probably impress your relatives and friends with the 5's design specialty by folding the centre seat to suit the appropriate occasion.

On that count, you may lose out to your peers who don't care much for engineering and design trickery but where it stands firm is the way it drives. On the go, the Mazda 5's chassis, brakes and steering enhance the marque's reputation as a builder of dynamic vehicles - as exampled by the MX5, RX-8 and the latest CX-5. Throw this 1.6 tonne machine round the bends and you'll be forgiven when you forget this is a people carrier. The steering is wonderfully precise, which is quite a feat for dad's taxi.

Although it loses out to the Stream or Odyssey, the payoff is credible body control which makes the 5 very agile for an MPV. It's almost like driving a conversion van in a world where the First Law of Motion doesn't apply.

Being a Kiasu Singaporean, I reckon the Mazda 5 aces as a practical, comfortable, well-appointed, and fuel-efficient compact MPV, as well as being a fun car to drive. It might not be as posh as some its peers but it certainly does win a lot of its other peers in its segment.

The Kiasi Element

Picture this: you are married with kids; family gatherings form much of your weekend activities; and you know your in-laws are not to be messed with; or rather, you wouldn't want them to go around babbling and complaining about how uncomfortable they were, having to squeeze in your car. To add to the woes, your next-door neighbour is perpetually asking for favours: groceries, pick-up kids - you name it they ask for it - and you are the Mr Nice Guy who are afraid to turn them down.

The afore-mentioned scenario sounds like a fictitious nightmare - one that many Kiasi individuals would find it familiar. That brings us to the topic: in what way does the new Mazda 5 satisfy the Kiasi-ness in you?

Multi-Purpose Vehicles, or MPVs so as to speak, brings up a feeling that is more closely related to "resignation to fate", rather than "self-actualisation". There is little debating that MPVs are usually related to characterless, boring driving experience.

There is no ruling out that the Mazda 5 is a full-fledged MPV. Seats more than five? - check. Can swallow more cargo than your usual bread-and-butter sedan? - check. And lastly, does it look like a van? It's arguably more stylish, but the tall preposition of the Mazda 5, coupled with a hatch back does make it look like one.

In terms of market-segment rivalry, there is little doubt that the Mazda 5 does not deliver that kind of punch you get from the VTEC in the Odyssey, or huge interior allowances in the Suzuki APV. But soon you will find out, it shines in areas that others doesn't, with its well-worked packaging cleverly distinguishing it from its competitors.

For starters, you get twin power-sliding-doors which save you many worries - no more mischievous door slamming while facilitation of ingress/egress is made easier, especially at tight parking spaces. The doors can also be operated and locked via the driver's side console - are you feeling more settled already? The seating position and large windows/windscreens ensure clear all-round visibility, most probably one of the best in its class. Coupled with distance sensors, it should keep those mind-blogged about blind-spot cross traffics at bay. The versatile centre-row seating will diminish more worries too, proving its advantage for longer trips or when the occasion calls for looting 'special cargo' at the Ikea sale.

Fold the third row and worries about the lack of space will be diminished

More importantly (especially for the discerning in-laws), a smooth journey is one going to be of top priority in any family outings. One may ask then - what makes a journey smooth? Naturally, the ability to absorb shocks from pocketed tarmac comes first to mind. Note to Kiasi self: adopt a slightly more gentle driving style and all is well. This is also probably the time when one will start appreciating the smaller, less-attractive-looking alloys, which contributes quite a significant bit to the ride quality.

Powerplant in the Mazda 5 is punchy, and should get you out of uncomfortable situations in time. The downside is, however, that it needs quite some coaxing to get the horses running. In terms of drivetrain, the five-speed automatic may not be the silkiest around town, but is very unlikely to attract any sarcasm when worked properly - without an iron foot that is. The brakes too, are easy to get used to - progressive sensitivity is great for nudge-less braking.

The latest Mazda 5 has inherited the qualities that we have grown to love about its predecessors. In the styling department, there is no doubt the car tip towards the conservative end of the scale. But by no means is it any less appealing than its closest rivals - for instance the ones you would pick to go picnic in.

Worrying seems much less of a chore now, does it?