I suspect the facelifted Mazda 5 is aimed at those of us facing midlife crises. Why else would Mazda endow its popular people hauler with a Sport Appearance Package to give it that go-fast look?
The package, featured on the top-of-the-range Individual model, includes an updated grille design, body-colour roof spoiler, sporty front bumper, side and rear skirts and pointed front fog lamp housings to give it a more assertive look.
So there we are, the midlife-crisis bunch, trying to maintain some vestige of our sporty youth and fast-disappearing hairlines while schlepping the family to the shopping mall.
Enter the Mazda 5 Individual, combining the practicality of a 6 + 1-seater configuration with adequate power from its two-litre petrol engine and a bit of flash.
The pre-facelift version was a finalist in the 2008 Car of the Year, a tribute to its build quality and value for money; now Mazda has added some exterior enhancements such as the sportier-looking honeycomb mesh grille.
The piéce de résistance of the recent upgrade is that the rear sliding doors are now electrically-powered. Some background is needed here: I was still favouring my right shoulder after a hard fall from mountain bike when I drove the Mazda5 so I approached the task of opening the sliding doors with some trepidation.
Not only do they open and close at a touch of a button on the remote, however, but a gentle tug on the door handle will also open or close them.
And there's no need for the driver to get out as either can be operated by a button from the driver's side. The sliding doors are particularly useful when the vehicle is parked in a narrow parking slot.
The two-litre petrol engine has ample oomph with 107kW and 185Nm and has now been revised with an electronic throttle, sequential, electronic, multi-point fuel-injection and variable valve timing.
Maximum torque is now available at lower revs for quicker engine response in every gear, allowing easier overtaking without having to drop a gear.
In our review of the pre-facelift version in 2007 we wrote that one more gear would be nice as we found ourselves constantly wanting to change up to a non-existent sixth gear. Mazda listened and now it has a slick and precise six-speed manual.
Handling is good for a vehicle of such girth and the Mazda5 inspires confidence in its road holding abilities, even though it's a mommy-mobile not primarily designed to be pushed hard through mountain passes. Ride quality is the more important aspect and the suspension soaks up undulations and ripples with ease.
Jump seat for kids only
The Mazda 5 is what the industry terms a 6 + 1-seater, with six normal-sized seats in three rows plus and what Mazda calls a karakuri seat in the centre of the second row that can be folded away to leave walk-through room.
However, that seventh seat isn't the most comfortable and is better suited for a child - and even then not for a long trip.
Folding trays behind the front seats enable the little 'uns to eat their peanut butter and syrup sandwiches in comfort and place their cooldrinks in cup holders.
As with most MPVs there's a price to pay when transporting a full complement of seven people; leg room becomes a bit limited, particularly in the third row. Luggage space is also limited in this configuration despite the number of handy stowage places.
Versatile van
But the Mazda 5 shows its versatility with several load options. The rear seats fold flat to create a spacious four-seater with lots of luggage room. The third row is split 50:50 so you can also drop one for a five-seater with some extra boot space.
Or fold both rear rows to make a two-seater with a cavernous loading area. The second row can slide or recline or fold flat without removing the head restraints, simply by using a one-touch lever that tips the seatback and slides the squab forward to allow access to the third row of seats.
Comfort levels are in keeping with the R230 100 price tag, and it has ticks in all the nice-to-have boxes such as leather seats, electric windows and mirrors, automatic aircon, leather-covered gear-lever knob and steering wheel and a six-disc CD player with MP3 compatibility and satellite controls on the steering wheel.
Safety equipment includes front, side and curtain crash bags, anti-lock brakes emergency brake assist, dynamic stability control and traction control - just in case mom or dad takes their midlife crisis too seriously.
VERDICT
If you're looking for a people-hauler with a dash of panache and high levels of comfort, the Mazda 5 fits the bill. The updated version retains the practicality that has endeared it to South African drivers while adding a dose of good looks.