‘04 MPV offers utility, sporty feel
This week, we test drive Mazda’s redesigned 2004 MPV ES minivan. According to the Mazda press kit, the MPV “would be more accurately called a large sport wagon with seating for seven than a run-of-the-mill, grocery-carting minivan.”
We tend to agree after a weeklong test drive.
Outwardly, the MPV has been nicely redone for 2004. The standard 17-inch all-season tires on alloy wheels are especially noteworthy, giving the MPV more of a “sports” feel than a minivan cruiser.
Inside, driver and passenger comfort are enhanced thanks to new seat and trim upholstery, as well as new headrest designs for the four captain’s chairs. Rear air conditioning is also standard, along with a new “spring-assist” that is added to the third-row seat for easier operation. There is adjustable lumbar support on the driver’s seat, nice three-spoke steering wheel, driver- and passenger-side sun-visor extensions, a standard in-dash six-disc CD changer and front-door storage pockets with bottle holders.
Other interior notables include Mazda’s exclusive Side-by-Slide seating arrangement that allows seats to not only move fore and aft, but also together to form a bench seat when necessary.
Additionally, ES models receive a standard nine-speaker, 180-watt audio system with subwoofer. Our MPV also featured the “home theater” ceiling-mounted DVD entertainment system for $1,200 more, a welcome addition, especially on those longer trips. It plays DVD, MP3 and other audio files and features two infrared headphones, a 7-inch-wide screen, handheld remote control and outputs for video games and camcorders.
In the safety category, the Mazda MPV scores high, with a five-star rating in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s New Car Assessment Program in frontal and side-impact collisions. Other safety-related features include advanced dual-stage air bags, front passenger-side centralized door lock switch and large B-pillar assist grips (ES models). All MPVs come with four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes as standard. A traction control system is available at extra cost.
Under the hood sits a reliable, albeit just adequate, Ford-designed 3.0-liter 24-valve V-6 delivering 200 horsepower. The transmission is a five-speed automatic that supplies smooth shifts in daily driving, or full-throttle redline upshifts when needed. Most competing minivans utilize four-speed automatics.
Underneath, MPV’s suspension features four, not two, MacPherson struts with a large stabilizer bar in the rear to minimize roll tendency (lean) when heavily loaded. We applaud Mazda engineers for the four struts, which give excellent cornering results while lessening road noise.
On the road, get ready for a “non-minivan” experience. MPV hugs the corners very well, accelerates adequately and has that certain “sporty” feel built in. The driver receives good feedback from the road, thanks to MPV’s shorter and narrower dimensions. The disc brakes stop this mini better than any we’ve tested, and although the four struts make the ride a bit stiffer, we like it that way.
Important numbers include a wheelbase of 111.8 inches, cargo volume of 17.2 to 151.9 cubic feet (depending on seating arrangement), a 19.8-gallon fuel tank (regular fuel), 3,000-pound towing capacity with the four-seasons towing package for $425 extra, 3,772-pound curb weight and EPA numbers of 18 mpg city and 25 mpg highway.
We recommend the Mazda MPV in the minivan class, especially for those who like driving excitement. We rate it a strong eight on a scale of one to 10.
Likes: Handling, excellent brakes, safety factor, looks, cargo space.
Dislikes: V-6 is underpowered when fully loaded, optional traction control should be standard.