(continued)
Match those figures to the MPV's low curb weight (3,772 lbs) and you get a
driving experience more like a sports sedan than a minivan. Call it the
sportscar of minivans.
The MPV's five-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly and has
electronically controlled overdrive. Most minivan rivals get only four speeds –
so they're noisier at freeway speeds, typically less smooth during gear shifts
and never seem to be in the right gear at the right time. ‘Slope Control,'
communicated by the engine's computer to the transmission's control unit,
minimizes constant up-and-down shifts when driving through mountainous terrain,
making for a smoother and more enjoyable drive, and less wear-and-tear on the
driveline.
The suspension system – front MacPherson struts, rear torsion beam axle –
ensures excellent wheel control for precise driver feedback, great freeway
stability and a fine ride. Stabilizer bars front and rear minimize body roll,
and are especially useful when the MPV is heavily loaded.
The behind-the-wheel experience also reminds you of a sports sedan. There's a
prominent sporty instrument binnacle including large tachometer and a
comfortable driver's seat that also offers excellent lateral support. Again, it
feels car-like. Only the extra height over a sedan, suggests you're in something
different.
A key reason for the MPV's nimbleness is its comparatively low weight and
compact exterior dimensions. At 189.5 inches long and 72.1 inches wide, the
vehicle has a true minivan ‘footprint,' unlike most of its competitors, which
have grown to garage-squeezing full-size van dimensions. So not only is it more
precise on bends and livelier on the open road, it is also more maneuverable and
easier to drive in towns or cities. Parking is especially easy: Highly
responsive power rack-and-pinion steering has only 3.3 turns lock to lock.
That's just shy of sports-car sharp.
Most keen drivers admire good automobile design, and there is no minivan that
looks more sporting than the Mazda MPV. It rolls on sporty 16- (LX models) and
17-inch (ES model) alloy wheels. Front and rear bumpers, door handles, deep
front fascia and side-sill extensions – as well as the aggressive front grille
with its prominent winged-M logo – are all body-color, creating a clean, uniform
appearance.
The front and rear styling is similar to the MAZDA 6 , MAZDA 3 , RX-8 and
Tribute, and includes projector-style headlamps, the company's trademark slatted
five-point grille and individual taillights under one-piece clear lenses. The
stainless steel exhaust system with a large-diameter tip, highlight the
vehicle's sporty character.
Functional and Comfortable on the Inside
Sports driving characteristics add real character to the MPV and are what you'd
expect from the Zoom-Zoom company. But Mazda understands that the primary role
of a minivan is to offer comfortable, spacious, safe and versatile transport.
Otherwise, customers would simply buy an MAZDA 3 or a MAZDA 6.
The MPV, accordingly, accommodates seven people and plenty of cargo. In the
front- and middle-seat rows, comfortable and supportive ‘captain's chairs' are
standard, each with fold-down armrests and adjustable seat backs and head rests.
Mazda's innovative Side-by-Slide seating arrangement allows the seats to move
fore and aft independently. They can also come together to create a bench seat
when necessary or to aid access to the rearmost seats. In addition, the
middle-row captain's chairs can be removed with ease for additional cargo
capacity. They can also be placed on the ground outside the vehicle for use as
recliners at a tailgate party.
The Tumble Under rear bench seat is one of the most versatile in the minivan
market. It can be configured in many different ways: as a normal upright rear
bench seat with seat belts for three; tumbled 90 degrees to the rear for use as
an outward-facing seat for tailgaters to sit comfortably with their legs
dangling over the rear bumper; or folded completely flat into a recessed well,
leaving a flat cargo floor. It is spring-loaded to make it particularly easy to
use.
The MPV is also awash with storage space. It includes a large center storage
console mounted between the two front captain's chairs, multiple cup holders,
and large hooks in the cargo area to provide flexibility for tying down bikes,
strollers and other bulky items that accompany today's active families.
It's a great cargo carrier, too. Whereas most seven-seat minivans offer
minuscule rear cargo area when all seats are in use, in the MPV there is 17.2
cubic feet of space behind the third-row seat and more than 53 cubic feet with
the third-row seat folded. With the seats in row two removed, cargo volume is
127 cubic feet. The MPV has a 2,000-pound towing capacity. With the 4-Seasons
and Towing Package, towing capacity jumps to 3,000 pounds.
Passenger safety is always top of the mind at Mazda. Primary safety features,
which help drivers avoid accidents, include standard Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) with
Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), which compensates for different loads
to deliver maximum braking force regardless of passenger or cargo load. A
Traction Control System (TCS), which improves stability and reduces skids, is
standard on the MPV ES and available on the MPV LX. All MPVs get four-wheel disc
brakes for superior stopping power.
The nimbleness, smooth handling and responsive steering are further reasons why
the Mazda MPV driver is well equipped to avoid accidents. But if an accident
does happen, the MPV is well prepared.
It received a five-star rating in the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration's (NHTSA) New Car Assessment Program in both frontal- and
side-impact collisions for driver and passenger, making the MPV one of the
safest minivans on the market.
Mazda's ‘Triple-H' body construction delivers enormous inherent strength in the
unibody construction. Front and rear side-impact door beams and advanced dual
front airbags with passenger weight sensors ensure great passenger safety. Front
seat-mounted side airbags are standard on the ES and available on the LX. First-
and second-row safety belts are height adjustable, and all outboard seating
positions have three-point safety belts. The MPV features child-safety rear door
locks and a second-row LATCH system that includes child safety seat lower
anchors and upper tethers.
To keep the vehicle and its passengers secure, all MPVs come equipped with a
two-stage unlocking feature on the power door locks and a remote keyless entry
panic button for use in case of an emergency.
As well as a six-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system, all MPV models come equipped
with a Sirius satellite radio compatible audio system. Sirius provides more than
120 satellite channels and is compatible with both the stock and upgraded sound
systems.
Mazda offers many packages for the MPV so drivers can customize the vehicle
exactly the way they want it. The All-SPORT Package for the LX model offers
17-inch alloy wheels, rear roof spoiler, leather-wrapped steering wheel,
eight-way power driver's seat, compass/outside temperature, auto dimming mirror
with HomeLink and a 180-watt nine-speaker audio system, including subwoofer and
in-dash six-disc CD changer.
The LX Plus Package provides privacy-tint glass on rear windows and liftgate,
tinted windshield band, fog lights, rear air conditioning, body-color protective
side moldings and floor/cargo mats.
The 4-Seasons and Towing Package that gives the MPV a 3,000-pound towing
capacity also includes a heavy-duty battery, heated door mirrors, rear heater,
cold-weather wiper motor and a larger windshield washer fluid tank.
Stand-alone options for the LX-SV and LX are rear air conditioning and
Whitewater Pearl paint. The LX also has the available option of power sliding
doors, while both the LX and ES have optional power moonroof as well.
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