New Car Review: 2003 Mazda MPV ES
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SEE ALSO: Mazda Buyer's Guide
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH CAREY RUSS Remember minivans? Wait, let me rephrase that question slightly. Remember when minivans really were mini? Some seem to want to be full-size vans these days, which is fine if you need a large vehicle, but then they can be as awkwardly unmaneuverable as any other outsized vehicle. Fortunately the second-generation Mazda MPV is still reasonably-sized outside, and, because of its efficient design, it has more interior space than you might think without a closer investigation. The second-generation MPV made its debut for model year 2000, powered by a 2.5-liter V6 engine. While it was far more mainstream in design than Mazda's original MPV, it was also sportier than the average minivan in styling, ride, and handling. Its 2.5-liter, 170- horsepower V6 engine was its only weak point. The problem wasn't that it was underpowered - the 170 horses were plenty, if the engine could be revved high enough to find them. Peak torque, 165 lb-ft, was developed at a relatively high 4250 rpm. It could have worked with a manual gearbox, but, despite Mazda's ``body of a minivan and soul of a sports car'' slogan for the MPV, a sport minivan with a five-speed manual transmission would inhabit a vanishingly small niche market in the real world. Fortunately, there was a better solution at hand. The 2.5-liter engine has a close relative of 3.0-liter displacement that easily fits into the MPV's engine compartment. With more horsepower and more torque, developed at lower engine speeds, and matched to a new five-speed automatic transmission instead of the original four-speed, the MPV's power situation improved significantly. The 3.0-liter engine debuted in the 2002 models, introduced mid- way through 2002, and so there are no major changes for 2003. A DVD rear-seat entertainment system is now available, and power sliding rear doors are offered on both the LX and ES trim levels. I've been spending time in an ES, and have found it to be a versatile and comfortable vehicle. Despite its easy-to-park exterior size, there is plenty of room inside. And because of its dimensions and well thought out suspension, the MPV is much more fun to drive than the average minivan. APPEARANCE: The MPV exhibits plenty of Mazda DNA in its styling. While its two-box shape is standard minivan, sharply-creased character lines on the sides and the front styling, with the fenders higher than the hood center, and the hood line flowing into the chrome-trimmed five-point grille would mark the MPV as a Mazda even without the ``winged M'' logo prominently displayed in the center of the grille. COMFORT: The MPV may be smaller than some competitors outside, but it doesn't show much inside. Good design and careful attention to detail results in an interior that makes the best use of available space. It will hold six easily, or seven if third-row passengers are kid-sized. Access is easy thanks to the dual sliding doors, which may be ordered with power operation, controlled from the key fob or interior buttons. In contrast to the bench or captain's chairs in other minivans, the second row "Side-by-Slide" seats can be moved fore-and-aft and the right seat moves side-to-side to give either configuration when needed, and make access to the third-row seat easy. And the third row seat not only folds flat into the floor, it can be reversed to make the MPV a very comfy vehicle for a picnic or tailgate party. Cupholders, storage spaces, and power outlets abound, as expected in a minivan. Unusually, the sliding-door windows can be lowered. Why, in an air-conditioned vehicle? Every try to get all of the hot air inside of a minivan out quickly? No problem in the MPV. Back up front, comfortable bucket seats and a well-designed instrument panel with plenty of convenient storage spaces can be found. SAFETY: The MPV received a five-star rating in government safety tests. Its ``Triple-H'' construction results in a rigid, impact-resistant structure around the passenger cabin, with front and rear crumple zones. standard antilock brakes and available front side airbags further enhance safety. ROADABILITY: OK, it's not a Miata, but the MPV's smaller-than- typical-minivan size, rigid structure, and detail modifications to its suspension make it more maneuverable than other minivans. The ride is family-sedan comfortable, and good damping also keeps body motion to a minimum in corners. Some minivans can feel cumbersome on twisting, poorly-paved secondary roads. Not the Mazda MPV. PERFORMANCE: While the MPV's original engine looked good in theory, there really is no replacement for displacement when it comes to torque production. And the old 2.5-liter V6 was a little deficient in low-rpm torque. There is no such problem with the new 3.0-liter engine. Its 200 horsepower and 200 lb-ft of torque are developed at lower engine speeds than the 2.5-liter engine. That output is more than merely adequate for the MPV's size and weight, and the new five-speed automatic transmission allows the engine to work more efficiently. Acceleration for merging and passing at common real-world traffic speeds is noticeably better, and the transmission shifts less on steep grades. Electronic ``slope control'' shift logic also helps keep it in a lower gear on hills. CONCLUSIONS: The Mazda MPV is right-sized and versatile. SPECIFICATIONS 2003 Mazda MPV ES Base Price $ 26,000 Price As Tested $ 29,345 Engine Type dual overhead cam 24-valve V6 Engine Size 3.0 liters / 181 cu. in. Horsepower 200 @ 6200 rpm Torque (lb-ft) 200 @ 3000 rpm Transmission 5-speed electronically-controlled automatic Wheelbase / Length 111.8 in. / 187.8 in. Curb Weight 3812 lbs. Pounds Per Horsepower 19.0 Fuel Capacity 19.8 gal. Fuel Requirement 87 octane unleaded regular gasoline Tires P215/60 HR17 Dunlop SP Sport 4000 A/S Brakes, front/rear vented disc / drum, antilock standard Suspension, front/rear independent strut / torsion beam axle Drivetrain front engine, front-wheel drive PERFORMANCE EPA Fuel Economy - miles per gallon city / highway / observed 18 / 24 / 20 0 to 60 mph est 8.8 sec OPTIONS AND CHARGES Fog lights $ 250 Roof rack $ 200 In-dash 6-disc CD changer $ 450 Power moonroof $ 700 Power dual sliding doors $ 800 4-seasons package: includes: rear heater, larger washer tank, heavy-duty battery, heavy-duty rear defogger, transmission oil cooler, additional cooling fan, heated mirrors, heavy-duty wiper motor, 3000-lb towing capacity $ 425 Destination charge $ 520