mkaresh the Mazda5 has a foldaway seat in the middle for 2-3-2 seating

 

It does? The brochure says "six passenger seating" all over it. No mention is made of a seventh seat. All I do see is that the Touring includes a "center row, fold-out table/cargo bin," which is clearly incompatible with a fold-out seat.

I hope you are correct, but wonder if perhaps you saw a feature that will only be offered outside the U.S.?

 

Entry level, obsolete, lethargic.....maybe, but I DO see the words "Auto A/C".....sucks to be us!

S

 

Did a little research, confirmed that a seventh fold-out seat is offered pretty much everywhere but here. But the engineering has already been done, so I suppose there's hope.

One feature mentioned in the brochure but never shown in a photo is a folding front passenger seat. I hope this feature is included.

 

oh hell- i didnt read the whole spec deck. i just did and th eseat isnt there. why would i think that it wouldnt be- after all the showings and press articles and info andf pics that i have seen until now showed the fold out seat in the middle row. what the hell is MNAO thinking not having it included here. there are a bunch nonono ONE moron at MNAO who made this decision. this is rediculous its like they had a meeting "how can we change teh Mazda5 for the US so we actually end up selling less of them." "hey boss how about we get rid of that foldaway 3rd seat in the middle row. every other company has a van that can seat 7 lets make sure ours is the one that doesnt." "ok bob good idea here's a raise"

 

here's pics of the seat in various positions. it follows the "karukiri" folding design of the rear seats of the mazda6 which was designed by an origami master.

http://media.mazda.ch/dossiers/Mazda.../mazda5_42.jpg

http://media.mazda.ch/dossiers/Mazda.../mazda5_43.jpg

http://media.mazda.ch/dossiers/Mazda.../mazda5_44.jpg

 

They probably want everyone who wants the 7th seat to just buy a Mazda MPV.

This is the same tactic General Motors took with its new small pickups, the Colorado and Canyon. The most powerful engine choice is 220 horsepower and 220 peak pound feet of torque, with a 2 ton tow rating. The competition offers 240/282 (Tacoma), 260/286 (Frontier), 230/290 (Dakota V8), and 255/252 (Ridgeline), all with at least 2.5 ton tow ratings. I bet some foolish suit at GM probably decided "If we offer a more powerful engine in the Colorado, it will reduce sales of the higher margin Silverado. No way." But as a result, anyone that wants a small pickup with a big tow rating has to rule out GM.

 

The Canyon/colorado have enough power, 2.8 for rear drive, 3.5 for the 4x4.
It just needs the GM 6L40e transmission.
+ the inline6 doesn't fit.