But the Mazda5 interior is comfortable, with plenty of front-seat elbow room and fold-down armrests to prop said elbows.

WSJ: 2012 Mazda5 Review: Yes to Convenience, No to Bloat | Rumble Seat by Dan Neil

The Mazda5's 2.5-liter, 157-horsepower four-banger and five-speed automatic transmission are serviceable, but there's more exertion than passion underfoot here.

WSJ: 2012 Mazda5 Review: Yes to Convenience, No to Bloat | Rumble Seat by Dan Neil

The Mazda5's dashboard utterly tests one's appetite for molded thermoplastic, but it has the virtue of being well-organized and intuitive.

WSJ: 2012 Mazda5 Review: Yes to Convenience, No to Bloat | Rumble Seat by Dan Neil