2006 Mazda MPV Review

The front-wheel-drive Mazda MPV was, at the time, one of the smallest minivans available. It featured a combination of car-like roll-down windows and minivan like sliding doors. Changes for 2006 include a newly standard retractable key, and a standard rear air conditioning in the ES. Some new body color choices were introduced as well.

Introduced in 1989, the Mazda MPV was the first true minivan that was rough-weather-friendly, thanks to available all-wheel drive -- Mazda's marketing at the time played this up by calling the MPV the only "go anywhere" minivan on the market. It was also fairly compact and distinguished itself from the quickly growing minivan field with its original right-side traditionally hinged rear door. In addition, rear-wheel drive was standard. A much-improved second generation of the Mazda MPV came in 2000. This van maintained its predecessor's bantam dimensions, but in almost every other respect, it was a new model. The second-generation MPV was Mazda's effort to close the gap, and it went a long way toward making the minivan more competitive. Overall, the Mazda MPV was a stylish-looking vehicle and a respectable choice for small families who desired a vehicle that was bigger than most station wagons, yet still more maneuverable than larger competing minivans. Plus, the MPV had a coolness to it that other family haulers were hard-pressed to match.

Powering and Handling of the MPV

  The MPV's 200-horsepower, 3.0-liter V-6 teams with a five-speed-automatic transmission. The MPV's five-speed-automatic transmission incorporates Slope Control, which stays in fourth gear to avoid unnecessary shifts while climbing. Mazda claims the MPV weighs less than its competitors and that its "trimmer exterior" yields more responsive handling and easier parking. Compactness isn't necessarily a drawback on the road; agile handling is the MPV's foremost virtue. In fact, this minivan whips through curves almost like a capable sedan, and it remains impressively flat. Top-notch steering response is precise and confident. Ride comfort is especially good and exceptionally well controlled. Mazda's minivan does slow down appreciably on steep upgrades, but engine noise is modest. The automatic transmission tries hard and reacts promptly.

2006 MPV Design

Mazda's minivan is significantly shorter than most minivan competitors. Riding a 111.8-inch wheelbase, it stretches to 189.5 inches long overall, which is roughly the same length as a regular-size Dodge Caravan. A power moonroof is optional. Seventeen-inch alloy wheels go on the ES model, while the LX gets standard 16-inch wheels. The performance-oriented suspension is supposed to reduce body lean without negatively affecting ride comfort. The 2006 MPV has four doors with two sliding doors for rear passengers. It can commute up to seven people with four bucket seats and a rear bench that can fold down into the floor. It comes available in 3 trims, the LX, the SV and the ES.

Mazda MPV Cabin

  The MPV got a major revision in 2004. The headlights, grille, hood, bumpers and side skirts were new. All four captain's chairs got new ergonomically shaped headrests, the driver's seat gained lumbar support, sun-visor extensions were installed, "smart" front airbags were added, and the ES got a six-CD changer. The MPV provides seating for up to seven occupants, with captain's chairs in the front and middle rows. The second row's "Side-by-Slide" bucket seats not only slide fore and aft but also together, to create the equivalent of a bench. The "Tumble Under" third-row seat folds completely into the floor. Maximum cargo volume is 17.2 cubic feet behind the third-row seat or 54.6 cubic feet with the third-row seat folded down. Dual sliding side doors are standard, and power operation is optional. The windows in both sliding doors can be lowered - a feature not available in many minivans. Standard equipment includes front air conditioning, remote keyless entry, cruise control and a CD player. The ES adds rear air conditioning, leather-trimmed seats and an eight-way power driver's seat. Backseat DVD video entertainment is optional. Though the MPV is quiet overall, you can hear road noise and some engine growl when it's pushed hard. Wind noise can also get bothersome. The seats feature comfortable cushioning and good support. Those who wanted the most affordable Mazda MPV could opt for the base DX trim, which offered 15-inch wheels, dual manual-sliding doors and a CD player. The next step up was the LX, which added full power accessories and cruise control, as well as center and overhead consoles. Keyless entry was yours to enjoy with the ES trim, along with leather upholstery, 16-inch wheels and heated mirrors. Options included rear air-conditioning, a power moonroof and a CD changer. Power sliding doors were not available, however.

Conclusions

With this all-new, more attractive front wheel-drive MPV, Mazda discontinued the van's four-wheel-drive availability, and traded its hinged rear doors for sliding-door convenience. Its size remained constant, though, and the MPV continued to be the runt of the minivan litter; as a result, cargo capacity wasn't as generous as that of others in its class. However, the redesigned minivan made up for it with a wealth of unique features. For more detailed pricing and specifications, view another 2006 MPV review. Second-row captain's chairs were multiconfigurable, easily sliding fore and aft; they could also be positioned together for instant bench seating. The third-row bench seat could be readily folded into the floor. It could also be turned to face the tail end of the vehicle when the tailgate was up, in case its owner was ever invited to a soccer-mom tailgate party. It's worth noting, too, that the MPV's compact size had a silver lining -- it was one of the most maneuverable choices on the market. Antilock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution are standard. Side-impact airbags and traction control are standard in the ES. The front seat belts include pretensioners. When the MPV was redesigned for 2000, the new minivan had a front-wheel-drive layout and more convenience features -- it also offered unique touches like roll-down windows in its sliding doors. Waning sales made 2006 the end of the line for the Mazda MPV, but its "compact minivan" philosophy lives on (with better execution) in a recent addition to the Mazda fleet, the Mazda 5.