Driving Impressions

Mazda MPV goes zoom, zoom, zoom with its 3.0-liter V6. Introduced last year, this dual-overhead-cam engine delivers great power and response. Hit the on-ramp, nail the gas, and it takes off, quickly accelerating into and ahead of the traffic. It's also smooth and quiet. One reason for the MPV's responsiveness is its flat torque curve. Fully 90 percent of this engine's maximum torque is available from 1800 to 5500 rpm; and its torque peaks at only 3000 revs. Torque is the force that actually accelerates a vehicle. Or, to put it another way, this is the same engine that powers the Mazda Tribute sport-utility vehicle, and it has been acclaimed as the strongest engine in that class. Just as important is the five-speed automatic transmission that debuted last year along with the new engine. It's smooth and responsive, always in the right gear. And with five ratios it does a much better job of keeping the V6 revving in the power zone than the four-speed automatic that's found in most minivans. MPV's five-speed automatic includes a Slope Control feature that holds fourth gear when climbing hills instead of hunting up and down through the gears. The 3.0-liter V6 gets better highway gas mileage than the 2.5-liter V6 Mazda used in pre-2002 MPVs. MPV drives more like a tall car than a minivan, though driving it is still a minivan experience. Compared with other minivans, it handles better on winding roads and maneuvers better in tight situations. Its suspension was revised last year for improved handling. Body and suspension mounts were made more rigid, and the rear stabilizer bar was made larger. The front springs have a three degree offset axis. All of this improved handling and provided a more direct feel to the steering. The brakes work very well and are easy to modulate for accurate stops. Ventilated discs are used in front with drums in the rear; ABS and electronic brake force distribution (EBD) are standard equipment. ABS allows the driver to brake and steer at the same time for better control in a panic-braking situation, while EBD reduces stopping distances by transferring braking forces to the tires with the most weight on them.

Final Word

It's hard to beat a minivan for convenience and interior space; whether moving people or cargo, a minivan will carry more for your money. The trouble is, minivans haven't been much fun to drive. But the Mazda MPV is more agile and easier to park than other vans, with good handing, strong power, and a brilliantly designed interior. MPV is second-rate to no minivan in interior finishing. The power roll-down windows in the side doors are what an adult rear-seat passenger expects. The tumbledown rear seat is really convenient, both for increasing cargo space and as a rear-facing bench for a tailgate party. Compared with other minivans, Mazda's MPV handles better on the road, and maneuvers better in tight confines. It offers a unique alternative for buyers who like the versatility of a minivan but who do not need the ultimate passenger or cargo capacity of the larger minivans. If it's big enough for you, then the MPV is a great choice.