The front is similar to the MAZDA 6 sports sedan. A deep front fascia and
side skirts add to the aggressive styling as do 16- or 17-inch alloy wheels.
And, the 2006 Mazda MPV drives more like a sports sedan
than a minivan because it's built by one of the world's renowned sports car
makers. Under its taut sheet metal is an all-aluminum V6 engine, four-wheel disc
brakes, and rack & pinion steering, five-speed automatic transmission, and
sports car-influenced front and rear stabilizer bars.
But it wouldn't be a great minivan if it weren't spacious and versatile. The
seven-seat Mazda MPV is functional and stacked with clever stowage and packaging
details. The big sliding doors on both sides open wide (power assistance on both
doors is optional), giving excellent access to the two rows of rear seats. The
sliding doors have power up-and-down windows, unusual for this type of door and
highly popular with middle-seat passengers. The rearmost seats are spring
loaded, so they're light and easy to fold flat and erect. Even when up, there is
still plenty of luggage-carrying space in the rear.
"The Mazda MPV has all the practicality, space and
comfort you'd expect from a premium minivan, but all the style and driving
quality you'd expect from a Mazda," says Jim Felix, MPV vehicle line manager.
"It handles like a car, but has the versatility of a van. It's a winning
combination that has made the Mazda MPV such a success over the years."
The 2006 Mazda MPV received major styling and mechanical
upgrades for 2004, so only the color palette was changed for 2006. This year,
four new colors are available: Brilliant Black, Bronze Metal, Strato Blue and
Galaxy Gray. Three trim levels are available: LX-SV, LX and top-of-the-range ES.
Why Mazda MPV is Great to Drive
A great engine is at the heart of every great car and there are few six-cylinder
engines smoother, lighter or more efficient than Mazda's powerful 3.0-liter V6.
It has twin camshafts per bank and four-valves per cylinder (24 valves in all).
This improves engine breathing and the car's willingness to rev. The
all-aluminum construction reduces weight and improves handling, performance and
fuel economy. Maximum power is 200 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and maximum torque is
200 lb-ft at 3,000 rpm. ...Mazda MPV: Page 2
