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I'd vote Mazda5, since I own one! But, the newer generation is supposed to be a little better than the older. I've read the older ones had a rear suspension issue that would eat tires. Mine has 22,000 miles with the factory tires and it looks like they will hit 40,000 with no problem. But, I think there is a workaround for the older generation using a Mazda3 suspension part (I'd have to go back and look for specifics)
My Mazda's fuel log is mostly my wife driving it. During the winter, she got 22ish, but drives my daughter to school and the car sits and idles (gasp!) to keep them warm. Now that it is hot, she is getting 25-26. When I drive it, I get 26-28 and up to 30 hwy. It is an automatic.
We have the base model. We bought it new since the used market for Mazda5's was very limited. The sticker was $22,500 (I think...) and we paid $19,500 since it was a 2012 sitting next to 2013's. It came with cruise control.
We were looking for something that seated six, so when my parents came into town we could take one car. We also wanted something that could hold luggage and my 75lb dog on road trips. Lastly, we wanted something that got decent gas mileage. So, for the price, we couldn't beat the Mazda. Plus, Mazda's are fun to drive, even with the 5 having a 2.5L four cylinder. It has enough power to move the car up hills fully loaded.
My sister has the manual version of the 5. She loves hers.
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