But the Mazda5 interior is comfortable, with plenty of front-seat elbow room and fold-down armrests to prop said elbows.

WSJ: 2012 Mazda5 Review: Yes to Convenience, No to Bloat | Rumble Seat by Dan Neil

The Mazda5's 2.5-liter, 157-horsepower four-banger and five-speed automatic transmission are serviceable, but there's more exertion than passion underfoot here.

WSJ: 2012 Mazda5 Review: Yes to Convenience, No to Bloat | Rumble Seat by Dan Neil

The Mazda5's dashboard utterly tests one's appetite for molded thermoplastic, but it has the virtue of being well-organized and intuitive.

WSJ: 2012 Mazda5 Review: Yes to Convenience, No to Bloat | Rumble Seat by Dan Neil

Shoppers looking to bracket the C-Max will want to look at the Kia Sportage, which has front-hinged doors, and the Mazda5, which has the sliding doors.

WSJ: 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid Review: A Fine Car Falls Way Short on MPG | Rumble Seat by Dan Neil

Besides the usual hatchback, sedan and SUV, car shoppers today can consider yet-to-be-categorized cars such as the Mazda5, a micro-minivan, or Mercedes-Benz's R-Class, a maxi-station wagon.

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But remember, you are not married to the Mazda5 forever, just as one day you'll pass on the stroller and those enormous car seats to some other family.

WSJ: 2012 Mazda5 Review: Yes to Convenience, No to Bloat | Rumble Seat by Dan Neil

You'll sell the Mazda5.

WSJ: 2012 Mazda5 Review: Yes to Convenience, No to Bloat | Rumble Seat by Dan Neil