mazda5 vs rav4

[Anonymous]

I'm beginning to realize that we need a bigger car. With two carseats in the back of my honda civic, there's no room for a third person to sit in the back. We don't need to sit 5 or 6 people routinely, but it would be nice to carpool or otherwise carry additional people. But I don't want a big minivan -- I want the smallest possible car that will comfortably sit an extra rider or two.

So, I think I've narrowed it down to the mazda5 or the rav4 for the third row. Any opinions (or other cars I should consider)?

[Anonymous]

We have one of each, although our Rav4 doesn't have the seats installed. Honestly they are very different kinds of rides - the sliding doors on the Mazda are a lifesaver especially if you have younger kids in car seats. But overall it is more compact, both in size (I think it's a few inches shorter) and in the feel of the interior. It's a great vehicle, but I get the sense my 6'2" husband prefers the (relative) roominess of the Rav4. We almost never use the third row of the Mazda, it's tough to access with two car seats in the second row, but it is perfect for our needs at this time as we are rarely in need of carrying 6 people or hauling tons of stuff (but wanted the option to sit an extra rider.)

I suspect this is one of those cases where a test drive would give you a really clear sense of which one works for you.

[Anonymous]

i have both as well. I had a civic when I had just one kid. Now with 2 kids, I drive the mazda5 and DH drives rav4. I definitely like the sliding doors. We use the mazda5 as the family car. The 3rd row is used occasionally, but I would only recommend it for adults with short legs.

[Anonymous]

Thanks. We test drove the mazda5 today and I liked it much more than I thought I would. We're going to try the rav4 later this week.

Does anyone have and use the third row in the rav4? Is it as small as the third row in the mazda5?

[Anonymous]

I have never even heard of the mazda 5 actually so I'm not sure what I'm comparing against, but we have the rav 4 without the extra row in the back and LOVE IT!! It drives soo smoothly and it's just a great car all around. And we got a great deal too.

[Anonymous]

Rav4 has a decent sized 3rd row that an adult (not huge) can sit in comfortably.