Mazda MPV reviews

2000 Mazda MPV Interior Features

The interior of a minivan is obviously its most important feature and the MPV does well in this department. Starting at the back, the rear bench seat can be folded down into a well in the floor freeing up 17 cubic feet of storage space. This is a very useful feature (also found on the Honda Odyssey) as it is so much easier than trying to remove the rear seats. In addition the bench seat can be tipped back so that it can serve as picnic seat for a couple of people who might want to have a tailgate party. With the rear seat in its regular position, the empty well serves as a useful storage area that retains cargo better than a purely flat floor.

The individual center seats can be folded down and can slide a few inches on a runner for increasing rear leg space. What's more, they can also be moved sideways (another industry first) to create a bench seat and improve access to the rear seats. They can also easily be removed as they weigh only 37 lbs. each. The variations on seating allow for two, three, four or five rear seats depending on a family's needs in cargo or passenger carrying. The comfort of each seat tends to diminish as one moves from the front row through to the rear bench seat, which is a bit hard and upright for comfort on a long journey. Tall passengers will find leg and head room adequate throughout. Optional rear air conditioning can be controlled individually by each passenger allowing as much comfort for him or her as for front seat occupants.

Access to the vehicle is not quite as convenient as in bigger minivans as the doors are smaller and the step-in height is slightly higher. The sliding side doors are manual only, with no power option available.

The dashboard has a pleasantly smooth finish to it that is more reminiscent of a car, flowing as it does across the width of the vehicle in a single arc of non-reflective material. The test model came with the optional wood grain finish which helps set off the instrument panel giving it an almost luxury look. The instrument pod is nicely situated with a large speedometer located right in front of the steering wheel and a smaller tachometer to the right.

The radio and climate controls are placed high up in the center, leaving plenty of space for a couple of storage bins underneath. However some of the radio buttons are obscured by the large gearshift lever while driving. Talking of storage, there are several storage bins and plenty of cupholders to cater for the inevitable amount of time that is spent in a minivan. An auxiliary 12-volt outlet in the rear side panel is provided for electric accessories.