Excellent Wholelife Costs Will Steer Mazda5 Onto Fleet Choice Lists

"Mazda has gained a significant foothold in the fleet market in the last three years and much of that success has been down to excellent wholelife costs, which mean our vehicles are among the cheapest for fleets to operate and among the most stylish and rewarding to drive for employees."

The eight-model Mazda5 range is the only vehicle in its sector with sliding rear doors, and room for up to seven people thanks to its unique design incorporating six seats and a stowable seventh. The all-new model takes many of the attributes that have put sister vehicles such as the Mazda3, Mazda6, Mazda MX-5 and Mazda RX-8 on the fleet map - superior interior functionality, stylish design, enjoyable driving dynamics and value for money - and brings them together in a Compact Multi Activity Vehicle.

Featuring three rows of ‘theatre-style’ seating fleets have a choice of four engine options - two petrol (1.8 litre 115ps and 2.0 litre 145ps) and two diesel Euro4 powerplants (2.0 litre 110ps and 2.0 litre 143ps) and four trim levels - TS, TS2, Sport and Sport Nav.

Standard specification on all models includes: driver and front passenger airbags, side airbags, full-length curtain airbags (1st, 2nd and 3rd rows of seats), third row seats (50/50 split, fold-flat), ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and Emergency Brake Assist, Thatcham Category 1 alarm and immobiliser, height and reach adjustable steering wheel, radio/single CD audio system with four speakers, manual air-conditioning, electric front windows and electric/heated door mirrors.

Mark Jowsey, general manager, Emmox Carcost, said: "Mazda has repeated its thinking from the Mazda6 with a simple engine and trim level line-up. Its seat layout provides sufficient room for most buyers in this sector, and offers tremendous seating and luggage flexibility, all achieved in a compact body that drives, rides and handles like a hatchback.

"Mazda5 has a high safety emphasis with front and side airbags plus curtain airbags that protect all three rows of seats. ABS with EBD is standard and Sport models have Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) with Traction Control System (TCS).

"Mazda5 is a product that meets the needs of many potential buyers. Competitive across all key cost elements, the excellent wholelife costs that result will help ensure good residual values are achieved," Jowsey concluded.

Mazda5 Whole Life Cost Comparisons

Model	Price (OTR)	PPM
Mazda5 1.8 TS2	£15,100	36.60
Renault Grand Scenic 1.6 Expression	£16,270	36.90
Citroën Xsara Picasso 1.8 Desire	£14,895	37.78
Toyota Corolla Verso 1.8 T3	£17,000	38.95
Volkswagen Touran 1.6 SE FSI	£17,120	39.13
Honda FR-V 2.0 SE	£15,830	39.90
Vauxhall Zafira 2.2 Club	£17,545	41.57

Model	Price (OTR)	PPM
Renault Grand Scenic 1.5dCi Expression	£17,320	34.70
Citroën Xsara Picasso 1.6 HDi Desire	£16,295	35.39
Mazda5 2.0D TS2	£16,700	36.47
Volkswagen Touran 1.9 TDI SE	£17,405	37.15
Vauxhall Zafira 1.9 CDTi Club	£18,095	38.42
Toyota Corolla Verso 2.0 D-4D T3	£17,995	38.54

Source: Emmox Carcost (July 2005)

NB Mazda5 diesel is available from Quarter 1 2006