Mazda says its MPV is the minivan with the soul of a sports car. Its commercials show the MPV turning into a Miata and back into an MPV as it winds around curvy mountain roads.
There is something to that. Lighter and more compact, the MPV is more agile, lighter on its feet, than most vans. 2002 brings a new 3.0-liter V6 that delivers substantially more power than last year's engine. Just as important, it's paired with a responsive five-speed automatic transmission. The suspension has been revised suspension with big, sporty 17-inch alloy wheels.
As a result, the 2002 Mazda MPV is smooth, quiet and powerful. Its compact dimensions make it much easier to park than, say, a Honda Odyssey.
It's a very pleasant vehicle to live with. The MPV features a beautifully designed interior with high-quality materials, excellent ergonomics, and great seats. Power sliding doors on both sides with windows that go up and down are convenient and nice for back-seat riders. Flexible seating and cargo configurations make it easy to handle a variety of tasks on a busy day. The third row disappears into the floor and the middle seats are a marvel of interior design.