Background: In the ever-burgeoning world of front-wheel-drive minivans, potential shoppers are presented with a dizzying array of picks. Almost all large volume domestic and import automakers sport one. If they don’t, one is most likely on the drawing board. One of the more affordable minivans that sometimes gets overlooked is the MPV (multi-purpose vehicle) from Mazda.
Although it’s been on the road longer than many competitors (MPV debuted in 1988), bigger car companies with even bigger ad budgets sometimes overshadow the diminutive Japan-built MPV. That’s too bad because the front-wheel drive, 2002 MPV has even more to offer. For starters, the six-cylinder 2002 MPV engine is new, increasing overall horsepower by 30. In fact the new engine is the same powertrain found in the Mazda Tribute sport utility vehicle and Tribute’s auto twin, the Ford Escape (Mazda is 33 percent owned by Ford Motor Co.) This addresses a key critique of past MPVs that power, especially when merging into traffic, was a bit lacking.
And the 2002 version now offers a family favorite feature; dual sliding power rear doors. Back in 2000 and 2001, all doors were manually operated. Suspension has also been tweaked this year, offering a less bouncy ride. The MPV is available in one wheelbase length. Some competitors including General Motors trio of minivans (Chevrolet Venture, Pontiac Montana and Oldsmobile Silhouette) and the Dodge Caravan offer regular and extended length choices. The MPV’s 187.8-inch length measures in at the shorter end of the spectrum. In fact, it’s shorter than the regular- sized Dodge Caravan. Ford’s Windstar and Honda’s Odyssey minivans also have one length that skews towards the extended length sizes of Dodge and GM.
Engine/Trim level: As with year’s past, one engine powers all MPV trim levels; but the powertrain has more oomph. A new 3.0-liter, double overhead cam V-6 engine cranks out 200 horsepower with improved low-end torque for quicker response when merging onto the expressway. The new engine is mated to an updated five-speed automatic transmission with overdrive. Mileage checks in at 18 miles per gallon in city driving and 24 m.p.g. highway. The fuel tank holds 19.8 gallons of regular octane gasoline. It replaces the Ford 2.5-liter Duratec V-6 from the past couple of years. The former engine produced 170 horses. The trim level selection in 2002 has been trimmed from three down to two. Gone is the low-cost, bare bones DX model. Still on board are the LX and up-level ES editions.
Price: The folks at Mazda supplied the Daily Herald with an up-level ES edition with a base price of $27,192. With options including fog lamps ($250), rear bumper step plate ($50), roof rack ($200) and four-season package (heavy-duty defroster, heated outside mirror and 3,000 pound towing package- $425) the bottom line added up to $28,637 with a $520 destination charge. The entry-level LX model starts at $22,250.
Standard equipment: Both MPV models include many popular features standard including: rear window defroster, front and rear intermittent wipers, air conditioning, AM/FM stereo with single-feed in-dash compact disc player, speed proportional power steering, cruise control, tilt adjustable steering wheel, power windows and locks, power side-view mirrors and loads of cup holders. The up-level ES edition adds rear air conditioning, chrome interior accents and up-level stereo system with cassette player standard. The cassette player and rear air conditioning can be purchased as options in the LX model. Optional in both models are mud guards ($65), rear spoiler ($190), power moon roof ($700), roof rack ($200), s ix-unit in-dash compact disc player ($450) and a four-season package ($425).
Inside: The seven-passenger MPV is one of the only minivans with power slide-down rear door windows that actually move down, providing increased air flow. Most other minivan center windows are static and do not open, or at best push out an inch or two out from the bottom. Another nice feature for front seat travelers is a center tray table with a beverage holder in between the front chairs. It folds down out of the way if entry to the second row is desired from the front. The tray also incorporates a square, covered pocket for storing coins or other small items. The locking top prevents coins from spilling over when the tray table is folded. Two larger-sized cup holders pull out from the lower center console area above a pull-out storage bin. The MPV gets very high marks for its versatile and easy-to-change seating configuration. Like most minivans, the MPV incorporates three rows of seating.
Unlike most of the crowd, the third row seat easily flips and folds completely flat into the floor once back headrests are removed. This design eliminates the need to remove or slide forward the third row when more cargo room is needed. It’s a similar set- up found in the larger and more costly Honda Odyssey minivan. Mazda also designed the third row with tailgaters in mind (the kind who attend football games, not those who follow too close to your prized vehicle on the roadways). With the rear hatch open, the bench seat can be flipped backwards so the backrest and seat are facing out of the vehicle. This handy design is also great for those still frequenting outdoor movie theatres. Second-row seats are just as versatile. Floor tracks allow for two different configurations.
Both chairs can be slid apart creating a center aisle, or both can be pushed together forming a two-passenger bench. Both have backrests that fold down and they can be completely removed from the vehicle, opening up 127 cubic feet of room, enough space to accommodate a standard-sized refrigerator. Cloth seating is standard in LX while leather-trimmed seating is the norm in ES. Another nice touch is a large, permanently molded grab handle found on the lower right-hand side of the rear hatch door. When the top-hinged hatch is open, the grab handle makes it easier to pull down the door. With the door open, there is enough clearance for those 6-foot-3-inches tall. Headlights activate from the turn signal stalk while front and rear wiper controls are located on a right-hand side stalk.
Cruise control monitors from a square appendage on the steering wheel’s right side. Secondary radio controls are on the opposite side. Power lock and window controls are on the driver’s door. Power mirrors are monitored via a square dial on the far left dashboard. A pull latch unlocking the fuel door is on the floor left of the driver’s seat. Above, a ceiling caddy includes a pull-down storage area for sunglasses. The central dash is home to the stereo system. Above is the red hazard light button. Below are three easy-to-grab dials for controlling fan speed, temperature and direction. A slide lever also monitors fan speed in the rear region. The only flaw with the interior design is that the steering-column mounted gear shift, when in “drive,” sometimes gets in the way of the ventilation dials.
Dimensions:
Wheelbase: 111.8 inches Overall
length: 187.8 inches
Overall height: 69.1 inches
Overall width: 72.1 inches
Curb weight: 3,812 pounds
Outside: One advantage to shorter minivans, like the MPV, is improved looks. It’s harder to make a longer van look stylish. The MPV manages to create a muscular flair with its more compact size. Mazda MPV includes sliding rear doors on both sides of the vehicle. Power sliding rear doors are standard in the up-level ES model. Power sliding rear doors open and close several ways. The remote key fob has buttons that open or close power doors. When drivers are behind the wheel, toggle switches are found on the lower portion of the left-side dashboard that open and close the doors. If the vehicle is unlocked with the rear doors closed, the power mechanism can be activated by pulling the handle and unlatching the door. The door will than continue sliding open on its own.
To close the rear doors, a gentle tug forward activates the power slide mechanism until the doors reach their final destination. A whip antenna is found on the right front fender. Rectangular headlights wrap around from the side fenders to the front. Mazda’s winged logo sits in the middle of a honeycomb grille. An air dam with fog lights situates near the bottom. All four doors have strap-like, body color pull handles. Black fold-in sideview mirrors flank both sides. The locking, square fuel door is on the left back panel. Tall vertical taillights adorn both sides of the hatch door.
Safety features: Both MPV models include reduced force front air bags standard as well as an anti-theft alarm system, front and rear crumple zones, child safety rear door locks, four-wheel anti-lock brakes and remote power locks. Traction control and front-seat air bags are standard in the up-level ES and optional in LX.
Warranty: Mazda’s warranty program includes three years or 50,000 miles (whichever comes first) for basic, powertrain and road side assistance. The rust/corrosion warranty is good for five years with unlimited mileage.
Final thoughts: Many growing families find the extra cargo volume in extended-length minivans or larger-sized minivans with one wheelbase length (such as the Ford Windstar) desirable because they accommodate more “stuff.” But if you’re an empty-nester couple or even a family with one or two toddlers, the MPV may be a real good fit. The interior is very versatile and easy to maneuver. The flip-and-fold disappearing third seat is a great design. Two years ago when the current generation was introduced, the MPV was the lowest priced import minivan sold in America.
Since then, Korea’s Kia Motors has introduced the Sedona Minivan with a sub $20,000 price tag, making it the low-price leader. Mazda has also dropped its low-priced and slow-selling DX edition from the 2002 lineup. Still, MPV pricing tilts towards the lower end of the minivan spectrum rather than the high end. Mazda has addressed and updated major concerns from the past couple of years including adding a more powerful V-6 engine and introducing power sliding rear doors. |