The 2000 Mazda MPV now has front-wheel-drive instead of rear-wheel-drive, two sliding rear doors instead of two swing-out doors, standard seven-passenger seating with more versatile seating and cargo-carrying arrangements, a lower step-in height, and more car-like ride and handling. A 4WD MPV is no longer offered.

The new MPV is about 90 mm (3.5 in.) longer than the previous MPV, and is about the same size as the current Dodge Caravan, but shorter than extended wheelbase minivans like the Grand Caravan, Honda Odyssey, and Ford Windstar. Clever design packaging, which includes a lower floor and longer cabin, has resulted in a very roomy interior and cargo area. I found adequate legroom and headroom for every seating position. All MPV’s have front and centre captain’s chairs with folding armrests, and the center reclining bucket seats slide fore and aft. All positions, except the center rear seat, have height-adjustable head restraints and three-point safety belts.

Key features of the new MPV include a third row seat that tumbles into the floor, much like the rear seat of the redesigned Honda Odyssey. Doing this requires pulling on two straps, folding the seatback, and pulling downwards – I found this seat is not as heavy as the tumble seat in the Odyssey. Most importantly, the rear bench seat doesn’t have to be lifted out of the van and stored in the garage. Rear bench seats often weigh over fifty pounds, and require two people to lift them out because they’re so awkward.

The MPV’s third row seat also flips over to face rearwards. With the rear hatchback raised to create a rain shield, the rear-facing seat is great for watching outdoor sports and recreational events.

Two centre bucket seats with armrests slide together to form a bench seat. This gives Mom or Dad the option of sitting next to their small child, and allows easier access to the third row seat on the passenger side. The centre bucket seats can also be removed completely from the van, and are light enough to be lifted out by one person.

The MPV’s rear sliding side doors are lightweight, requiring very little effort to open and close, and the door handles are large and easy to grip. Unlike other manufacturers though, Mazda does not offer power-operated rear sliding doors, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see them added later. Both rear doors have roll-down windows, the first time this feature has been offered in a mini-van. The windows roll-down about 75% of the way. Incidentally, the MPV’s windows are unusually large, adding to the feeling of spaciousness and assisting the driver’s outward visibility.

The rear hatch opens easily and is tall enough to stand under. A deep well in the cargo area (where the rear seat tumbles into) provides as much space as the trunk of a Buick Park Avenue. With the rear seat folded into the floor, cargo space triples, and with both centre bucket seats removed, cargo area increases by seven times – great for hauling furniture, home improvement supplies, sports equipment, or what-have-you. The only drawback are floor-mounted release levers for the second-row seats that protrude from the floor.

The MPV has a stylish interior with walk-thru accessibility from front to rear. The dashboard has extra-large numerals, buttons and dials, and features a center-positioned volume knob. A one-disc CD player is standard but LX and ES models offer a unique 6-disc, in-dash CD player. Front and rear air conditioning, woodgrain trim and leather upholstery are available on uplevel models, but rear-mounted stereo controls and headset jacks are not offered.

Under the sculpted hood is a new 170 horsepower 2.5 litre DOHC 24 valve V6 engine which replaces the previous 155 horsepower 3.0 litre V6 engine. The 2.5 litre V6 is a derivative of Ford’s Duratec V6 engine used in the Mercury Cougar sedan – it’s not the same 2.5 litre V6 used in the Mazda 626. A brand new 4-speed automatic transmission developed by Mazda for the 2000 MPV does the shifting chores.

My test-drive over city and country roads and highways revealed that the 2.5 litre engine provides quick acceleration from a standing start, good mid-range torque, and adequate high-speed passing power, although it is a little weak with a full load on board. The transmission shifts smoothly under most conditions but I found 2nd to 3rd shifts under hard throttle to be a bit jerky.

The MPV’s all-new platform was designed by Mazda. The front suspension comprises fully independent MacPherson struts and the rear is a solid beam axle design. The MPV’s ride is very comfortable, and except for a muted howl from the engine under load, the interior is very quiet. Handling is more nimble than most mini-vans, largely due to its short wheelbase and fairly firm suspension damping. Around town, the MPV is easier to drive than long wheelbase minivans because of its shorter length and narrower turning circle. It’s also easier to park.

Standard front disc rear drum brakes provide plenty of stopping power for this relatively light 1667 kg mini-van, and ABS with a new electronic brake force distribution system (which automatically provides more rear brake force under heavy braking)is available on LX and ES models.

For a base price of $24,555, DX models include standard front air conditioning, power steering, AM/FM/CD audio system, 7-passenger seating with removeable ’side-by-slide’ center buckets and fold-away third row bench seat, dual sliding rear doors with roll-down windows, tilt steering column, two-speed intermittent wipers, rear wiper and washer, dual stabilizer bars, and standard P205/65R-15 inch tires with steel wheels – alloy wheels are optional. For an extra $955, a DX Convenience Package adds power windows, power door locks, heated power mirrors, cruise control, overhead console with two storage compartments, and a storage bin under the front passenger seat.

LX models, priced at $28,455, add the following features to the DX model: front and rear air conditioning/heater with 3rd row fan and temperature controls, upgraded cloth upholstery, height/tilt adjustable driver’s seat, remote keyless entry with panic alarm and anti-theft system, an engine immobilizer, darker privacy glass in the rear windows, body-coloured bumpers and side mouldings, micron air filters, seatback tables on the rear seats, and four-wheel anti-lock brakes with electronic brake distribution.

An optional LX Sports Package priced at $1,800 adds larger 16 inch alloy wheels and tires, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a premium stereo system with a six disc in-dash CD player and nine speakers. For $1,495, a GFX option package adds front and rear spoilers, side skirts, and fog lights.

Top-of-the-line ES MPV’s, priced at $33,080, add the following features to the basic LX model: woodgrain trim on the dash and doors, leather upholstery, power glass moonroof with tilt and slide features and sliding sunshade, side airbags in the front seats, illuminated vanity mirrors, and a towing package which includes an automatic transmission oil-cooler and heavy-duty radiator. The only option on the ES is the aforementioned GFX package.

If you’re looking for a standard wheelbase mini-van like the Dodge Caravan, Nissan Quest, Chevrolet Venture, or Pontiac Trans Sport, the MPV is a must-see contender. The MPV compares well in price with its competitors, and is the only short wheelbase minivan to offer a tumble rear seat. Compared to long wheelbase minivans, the MPV is less expensive and easier to drive in urban areas. Unlike domestic mini-vans, it offers a five year/100,000 km powertrain warranty as well as the standard 3 year/60,000 km warranty.