Canada Gets Another Exclusive Product

Derek Kreindler
by Derek Kreindler

Fans of the Mazda5 may not be able to buy one in the United States anymore, but Canadian buyers will continue to be able to purchase Mazda’s microvan for the foreseeable future.

A Mazda source told us that the Mazda5 will soldier on in Canada, which also gets the Canada-exclusive Kia Rondo and Chevrolet Orlando. Apparently, volumes (though declining) are sufficient to keep importing the small minivan – for now. The biggest challenge is the sub-$20,000 Dodge Caravan, though Mazda is apparently able to maintain market leadership in the sub-segment of buyers who desire a smaller van that is not a Caravan. In space-constrained ubran centers, this can be an advantage, though many Canadians prefer the Caravan for one simple reason: it is the cheapest way to haul two kids and their hockey bags.

Derek Kreindler
Derek Kreindler

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  • Gearhead77 Gearhead77 on Sep 04, 2014

    As a 5 owner, this is not surprising. Many folks on the interwebs forums for the 5 are Canadian. I always saw quite a few more per mile in my trips to the Greater Toronto area. We bought our 5 because we didn't need a big van because we didn't have kids yet but were anticipating at least one. We ended up with twins and outgrew the 5 quickly. Due to its "stuff or people" nature, it wasn't ideal anymore as our primary family truckster. We still have it, it's my DD now, but our leased Oddy does everything a bit better on slightly worse economy. It's also not nearly as fun to drive though, but I do appreciate the extra power of the V6 in the Honda.

  • TorontoSkeptic TorontoSkeptic on Sep 04, 2014

    There's a more obvious explanation here. Gas is >$5 a gallon in Canada and the smallest, most fuel-efficient vehicles in each class do very well as a result. I don't think there are any other I-4 vans than get close to 30 mpg, although I'll admit I haven't checked on that. My young-family-dense street has several 5s, and Kia Rondos too. This is a close to downtown area where garages are tiny/nonexistent and street parking isn't always easy to find. Caravan/Town+Country/Sienna isn't that common here.

  • Arthur Dailey Arthur Dailey on Sep 04, 2014

    Remember that Chrysler/Fiat have announced their intention to discontinue the Dodge Caravan and produce only the Chrysler Town & Country. That will probably result in a large increase in the entry level price. So Mazda, Kia and GM may keep their products around (5, Rondo and Orlando) to see how the market shakes out. Also Chrysler discontinued the short wheelbase Caravan a few years ago, replacing it with the Journey. The long wheelbase (and the increased size with each restyling) make it a fairly large vehicle. The 5 and Rondo are about the same size as the original Caravan/Voyager. And you can fit your hockey sticks and hockey bags in a 5. You just have to place them length wise and sit the passengers 2-1-1 style. So the Caravan is much better for the trips to and from the rink and/or ski hill.

  • Iamwho2k Iamwho2k on Sep 04, 2014

    It might be a waste of money, but if not a full redesign, at least give it Kodo styling (it can't be that hard, since they gave the CX-9 a mild facelift) --the current 5's Pokemon look hurts my eyes. And, while they're at it, how about plugging-in a SkyActiv 2.5 engine to improve both performance and mpg?

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    • Marilyn5 Marilyn5 on Oct 30, 2014

      @bosozoku I live in Michigan and love my new 2014 Grand Touring Mazda5!! Just got it last week. My first one was a 2010 and loved it. Too bad Mazda didn't push this micro-mini van as people loved it when I parked it and 6 adults piled out........like a clown mobile!! Always asking "what is it?" With 5 grandchildren and my large painting canvas...everything fits!! The sliding doors are a real plus! Love this zoom zoom car!

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