Mazda CX5 - anyone have one?? 3 kids capable?

[LuluHB]

After a great deal of soul searching, my DH has finally come to the realisation that his two door coupe is no longer the appropriate vehicle for him and that a "dad" car might be more appropriate, what with him having three kids and all What is it with men and their cars??? Anyway, he quite likes the look of a mid size SUV, but we still need one that will take three seats so RAV4s, CRVs etc are all out of contention. We do not want a large SUV - my car is a 7 seater SUV so we've got that aspect covered and given the kms that we do something more economical (probably a diesel) would be what we're after.

From the looks of it (and at this point our looking at Mazdas has been limited to "oh look, that's quite a nice car driving alongside us"), three seats would fit in. Does anyone have one and know that they do? Any comments? Pros and cons?

All comments appreciated. Thanks.

[Taurean]

We have a 7 and a 9 and both are awesome. We had a 3 before the 9 - tragic Mazda lovers

The 7 fits 3 car seats but just - it's a squeeze. The 5 looks smaller but is supposed to be the same size so should also fit 3 car seats but narrow seats would be a good option.

Friends of ours have the 5 and are very happy with it and it's comfortable with their 2 kids. It does look smaller than our 7 though Check measurements on the Mazda website.

We love our Mazdas though, would highly recommend one. If the 7 is actually bigger then I'd opt for one of those instead. You could probably get a good deal on a second hand one these days.

[Eenee]

We were looking at cx9 but not sure on the 5

Check out this Mazda Child Restraint & Baby Seat Fitting Guide | NRMA Motoring & Services
I found it handy to seeing how car seats fitted, they don't have every car but may help you decide in another.

[LuluHB]

Taurean - I was checking Mazda's website before and they no longer show the CX7. Maybe its being replaced by the CX5?? Can't find measurements for the 7 anywhere except for carsales where it says the overall width is 7.5 metres. Ah no. Don't think so ;-) Bugger that all the other measurements look right but the ONE I need is wrong!! Will have to trundle along to a car yard and just do the painful task of trying the seats out. My baby before I got a "Mum's car" was an MX5 so you don't need to talk me into a Mazda - I love them too.

Eenee - thanks. That website is great. We don't have anything like it here.

[Taurean]

Will see if our manual has measurement in our 7 otherwise I'll do some rough measurement for you

[YoYo]

I have cx9 and will be putting 3 seats in. I know that doesn't help but just wanted to say I love my Mazda!!

[Arimeh]

I can't help with that car, but I have a Mazda MPV and I just wanted to be part of the "I love Mazda" crowd.

You know - because its good to feel part of a group. Even though my input is pretty pointless.......

[Taurean]

I can't help with that car, but I have a Mazda MPV and I just wanted to be part of the "I love Mazda" crowd.

You know - because its good to feel part of a group. Even though my input is pretty pointless.......

ROFL!!

DH kindly measured the back seat of his CX7 for me and it's 1.35 mtrs. Hope that helps hon.

[LuluHB]

Thanks Taurean (and Mr Taurean!) 1.35 should be ok I think for three seats, especially given big girls are in pretty narrow boosters already. Will go for a zoom zoom once the big girls are back at school and report back ;-)

LOL Arimeh. You're funny.

[<3 Mumofthreetobe <3]

I borrowed my cousins CX7 for awhile with 2 car seats in the back. It must depend on the size of the car seats cos there was no way a 3rd would have fit in. I couldn't even sit in between the seats and I am not that big a person.

[beansbeans!]

I can't help with that car, but I have a Mazda MPV and I just wanted to be part of the "I love Mazda" crowd.

You know - because its good to feel part of a group. Even though my input is pretty pointless.......

I don't own a Mazda, so cant help you out, but I do fantasise about owning a cx9 some day...

Just like Arimeh, I just want to be part of a group

fwiw, in my little fantasy world, I can fit 3 car seats in any mazda

[Taurean]

I borrowed my cousins CX7 for awhile with 2 car seats in the back. It must depend on the size of the car seats cos there was no way a 3rd would have fit in. I couldn't even sit in between the seats and I am not that big a person.

It's definitely possible. Our friends had 3 SnS car seats in theirs. Absolutely no room between them but they didn't need to access the seatbelts then as they were all still in forward facing seats, not boosters.

[LuluHB]

Ah, that could be my stumbling block then with the CX5/7. With the two big girls in boosters we need pretty easy access for seatbelt buckles. I'm all for improved safety for kids, but it makes it seriously bloody hard to get a vehicle even remotely approaching economical and not huge (ie everything our current family car isn't) when you need to cater for three car seats that are actually useable.

[Liviam]

There are seatbelt extenders available chick. You click them into the buckle and then the new seatbelt clicker reaches up onto their seat. My older two both have one on their seats. There would be no way for them or me to do up their seatbelts without them - they have saved my sanity!!