Face-off: Nissan Quest vs. Mazda5

Minivan or microvan? What you get and what you give up

If you have one eye on your growing family and the other on gas prices, you might want to consider the freshened Mazda5 microvan rather than a traditional minivan. Its 23 mpg overall fuel economy is much better than any minivan we've tested and is on par with some family sedans.

The Mazda5 is smaller than traditional minivans—competing more directly with wagons—and, at $24,670, it costs considerably less. It's also more fun to drive but provides much of the utility of a minivan, including sliding side doors. The trade-offs? Minivans fit seven or eight adults; the Mazda5 fits four adults and two kids, and it has less cargo space. It also lets in a lot of road noise and reveals a lack of reserve power when it's loaded.

For this issue, we pitted the Mazda5 against the redesigned Nissan Quest (both available to subscribers), which returns to the market after a year's hiatus and ranks second in our minivan Ratings (available to subscribers)—only slightly below the Honda Odyssey. The Quest scores points for its plush ride, quiet cabin, fold-flat seating, and luxurious amenities. Its 19 mpg fuel economy is decent for a minivan. But our SL's $39,040 price makes it the most expensive minivan we've tested.

We can recommend the freshened Mazda5 because it has above-average reliability (available to subscribers) in our subscriber survey. We do not have sufficient reliability data to recommend the redesigned Quest.

The driving experience

Notably more agile than the Quest, the Mazda5 is enjoyable to drive, with responsive and well-weighted steering. Plus its small footprint makes it easy to maneuver in tight quarters. It's balanced and secure at its limits, and it posted a high speed through our avoidance maneuver. Although the Mazda5's ride is not nearly as smooth as the larger Quest's, it's still compliant and controlled. But the Mazda5's interior is rather noisy.

The Quest is clearly about comfort. It rides as smoothly as many luxury cars, gliding easily over bumps and ruts, with some gentle body motions and occasional side-to-side rocking. Its highway ride is smooth, and its cabin is very quiet, with just a hint of wind noise creeping in.

Handling is secure, and the steering is responsive, if lacking feedback. When the Quest was pushed on our test track, it felt clumsy, reaching its limits early and exhibiting plenty of body lean. Stability control had to step in early to rein it in. In our avoidance maneuver, the Quest didn't inspire confidence in our drivers, though it achieved a decent speed.

The Mazda5's 157-hp, four-cylinder engine provides average acceleration, but performance is taxed when climbing hills or merging while carrying additional passengers. Its five-speed automatic transmission is smooth but shifts often to maintain highway speeds. The Quest's 260-hp V6 engine is much more powerful and delivers livelier performance than other minivans we've tested. Its continuously variable transmission is smooth and responsive. Both vehicles use regular gas.

Inside the cabins

Mazda's bargain-priced interior is fairly basic. Most plastics are hard, and the headliner resembles cardboard. But most components are nicely finished and fit together well. The Quest's opulent interior, however, would look right at home in an Infiniti luxury car. It features soft-touch panels, attractive stitching, and wood and chrome accents. But the leather upholstery gives off a strong scent, and the van developed several creaks and rattles over time.

The Mazda5 and the Quest offer a good driving position. Although the Mazda's cockpit is tighter, it still offers upright seating and good head and foot room. But a wide shifter pod intrudes from the right, and larger people might need more leg room. In the roomy Quest, drivers sit up high, have a commanding view out, and have plenty of room all around.

Well-shaped and firmly padded front seats in the Mazda5 offer good lateral support. The Quest's wider front seats are ample, supportive, and nicely cushioned, with a power lumbar control. But the Quest's cushion support fades over time.

Each vehicle has an accommodating second row. The Mazda has comfortable and adjustable bucket seats that provide good leg room. Though its U.S. version can seat only two passengers in the second row, the version available overseas can seat three. The captain's chairs in the Quest are large and welcoming, with multiple adjustments. The seven-passenger Quest has a removable console in the second row, instead of having a small center seat for an eighth passenger.

The difference in passenger versatility between the two vehicles is evident in the third row: The Quest's can comfortably seat three adults, but the Mazda5's is only suitable for two small children.

Simple, straightforward controls and legible gauges are found on each of the vehicles. A multifunction controller and screen display in the Quest manages audio functions, but you can also use hard keys for those functions. The Quest's shift lever frustratingly blocks some radio controls. Our Quest has a backup camera; the Mazda5 doesn't offer one.

With the Mazda5, you get space to carry people or cargo but not both; little luggage room remains when the third row is occupied. Storage in the Quest is generous, although the third row no longer folds into the floor as it once did. Instead, the second- and third-row seatbacks fold flat, creating a flush loading area. A covered trench in back offers lots of luggage space, even when all seats are occupied.