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While
the Mazda MPV is not the established sales leader in the minivan game, it is without
contest the most fun to drive. Some of that is due to the fact that it has, shall
we say, tidier dimensions than nearly every minivan out there, while offering
more power than most (200 hp) and sporty suspension tuning. Still,
despite its size, the sporty MPV boasts a quadruple five star crash test rating,
as well as several of the innovations found only on much larger vans. If you like
to drive, the sportiest of the lot is the ES, which comes complete with fog lights,
spiffy 17-inch wheels and gobs of luxury features! What
all MVPs share, regardless of trim level, are second row seats that can be positioned
together as a bench seat, or slide apart into a dual captain's chair arrangement
(and we all know how kids sometimes need to be separated). Another MPV hallmark
are dual sliding rear doors with windows that actually roll down, something that
makes the MPV feel even more like a car. Like
the Honda Odyssey and the long-wheelbase Chevy Venture, the MPV has a third-row
seat that flips down and "disappears" into the floor, but unlike those
other vans, the same seat can also flip backwards to hang a bit out the back to
serve as a rear-facing seat for tailgate parties. D'ya hear that, football fans?
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