Good Cars for Bikes

[geekgirl]

It's OK. We would look at one if it were possible to remove the rear row of seats. For a family of 3 we would have NO use for that and it would leave a TON of room for bikes if those could be dragged out or even if Mazda offered an option without the rear bench--it's too small to be useful for anyone over the age of 7.

Maybe it's not obvious from the pictures, but that 3rd row of seats folds down completely flat (as do the 2nd row seats), so the Mazda5 is an incredibly versatile vehicle. I drive one, and for our family of 3, it has been a perfect solution - bikes fit easily in the back w/ the front wheel off (standing up with the fork mount as others have linked), TONS of room, fun to drive (zoom-zoom) and the option of carrying six people for occasional carpools. That 3rd row bench IS pretty tight, but it's not bad for short trips, and perfect for small kids.

Consumer Reports chose the Mazda5 for their Top Pick for a Family Hauler:
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/c...p-picks-ov.htm

Although that link indicates the price is $23K+, that's for the fully-loaded version. We have the Sport model, which starts around $18K.

[Fredwina]

I looked at the element, the Maza 5 and the Kia Rondo.
Surpirsling the element came in last . I live on the second floor, and I didn't like the idea of hauling seats up and down the stairs.
I wound up with the Rondo, a bit bigger than the 5, but you have put up with folks who can't get over the name on the Tailgate (it's been dead solid as far as reliability), plus the Rondo does have the "love it or leave it looks" and conventional rear doors


I get about 21 in the city and 25 highway, but I have the V6