Unlike some last-place finishers in other comparison tests we have performed, the Mazda MPV is a much better vehicle than its position might suggest. It's just that this is an extremely competitive segment, and the MPV isn't as feature-filled as some of the others. "If minivans were beer, the MPV would be minivan light," commented one editor.

That doesn't mean the MPV is horrible by any means. It is, in fact, a perfectly safe, functional, attractive and drivable vehicle. You'd think that with all the praise we give it, the MPV would finish higher up. But before we go into its shortcomings, you should consider the reasons why you would want to buy one if a smaller van is what you're looking for. Consider the list of standard features with the top-level ES trim. There's ABS, remote keyless entry, power windows and locks, heated power mirrors, leather seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, rear air conditioning, 16-inch alloy wheels, a nine-speaker sound system and side airbags. There's also a feature you can only find on the MPV that we've really taken a liking to. Its roll-down windows in the sliding doors are the trademark tidbit that most think of when the MPV is brought to mind.

Other accolades worth noting from our staff are numerous. Its smaller size and seemingly more sporty underpinnings did their fair share of generating positive feedback from those who drove the MPV. In general, it seems quite car-like in its feel, and the steering did a commendable job of communicating road sense to the driver. The weighting is just right and provides a nimble experience, unlike some of the more clumsy vans like the Windstar or Montana. Things like "great steering performance" or "suspension feels sporty" or "easy to maneuver" peppered the comments on Mazda's "mini" minivan. In short, if how a vehicle drives is of any importance to you, the MPV is worth a look.

So, if it drives decently, has plenty of useful features and it's the lowest-priced van in the test, why did it finish last? One of the main reasons is the undersized engine. It's simply too small to haul around more than 3,600 pounds of rubber, steel, plastic and glass -- the lightest van in the test. If the MPV has one serious issue relating to how it drives, it would be its lack of power. "When driving in a pack on the highway," one editor noted, "the MPV could barely keep up with the others."

In fact, if the MPV had another 30 horsepower, it would've possibly finished better than bottom of the barrel. While its 170-horsepower 2.5-liter V6 would be perfectly adequate in a small sedan, it's clearly not big enough for a minivan. In our acceleration tests, the MPV was the slowest van in the group, as it needed a yawn-inducing 11.6 seconds to reach 60 mph. The next slowest van, the Pontiac Montana, was a full second and a half quicker at 10.1, while all the rest of the vans reached 60 mph in less than 10 seconds. If merging onto a busy freeway with a full load of passengers on board is critical to you, then look elsewhere.

And if you think the lightest weight and smallest engine will be your friends at the gas pump, think again. At just 18.4 mpg, the MPV got the lowest average when we added up the fuel-consumption numbers. All of the other vans averaged more than 19 mpg.

One could consider adequate acceleration for freeway on-ramps a safety feature. And when you factor in carrying more than six people in a vehicle, it's worth thinking about. Combine the MPV's lackluster performance in this area with its small list of safety features, and you have one more reason to think about shopping one of the other models. While the MPV has good crash test scores, and it has the basics like side airbags and ABS (all these vans are among the safest vehicles on the road), its list of safety features you can't get is considerable. Don't expect things like a low-tire pressure warning system, self-sealing tires, traction control or stability control.

In National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) crash testing, the MPV performed well, scoring five stars in the two side impact tests and four each in the two frontal impact tests. The Toyota Sienna scored just one star better overall, while the Windstar and Honda Odyssey are the only two vans to get five stars across the board.

Maybe safety items are not at the top of your wish list, since all new vehicles have airbags, and all of these vans have ABS. It could be that convenience features are more your bag. The MPV is lacking in that category, too. Of the items on our list of 14 features every minivan should have, found in the chart linked at your right, the MPV has but 6 of the 14. Things like power sliding doors, a reverse-sensing system (a safety feature for some), front and rear audio controls and adjustable pedals aren't available on the Mazda. The Ford Windstar is the champ when it comes to the sheer count of features either optional or standard.

As we said at the beginning, the MPV is considerably better than its last-place finish would lead you to believe. But various comments from those who drove and rode in it make one realize it finished last not because it's a bad vehicle, but because the others are either more appealing to more people or they have more content that make them worth the additional money. For example, some noted that the MPV has more hard plastic in the interior than the other vans. "Way too much gray plastic," quipped one driver. Other nitpicking revealed that the third-row seat is barely up off the floor of the van, resulting in minimal thigh support. Also noted was considerable road noise and harshness transmitted directly to third-row passengers. And while there was plenty of headroom in back, taller backseat drivers could've used more legroom. "The third row, with its short seatback and lack of legroom, makes it inappropriate for adults," said one passenger. During our road-test evaluations, the MPV also finished last in our front and rear seat comfort categories.

Certainly the MPV is a decent van, but it has numerous shortcomings, despite Mazda's reputation for decent quality and reliability. To truly understand the MPV, it's best to think of it as the light beer of modern minivans. The Mazda is the smallest van in this test, which contributes to a feeling of nimbleness when rounding corners. And while the engine doesn't make nearly enough power, several unique features like the above-mentioned power windows in the sliding doors, easily adjustable second-row seats and a third-row seat that folds into the floor or reverses for tailgate parties pump it right back up. Even interior room, while not cavernous, is quite commendable given the van's small exterior size.

If you are looking for a people-mover that's easy to drive and park, offers several unique and functional features and can be picked up for song, the MPV is worth considering. But remember, this is purely "minivan light" in terms of its workhorse capabilities. If you need more of a "hungry-man" type minivan, look more closely at one of the other five vehicles.

Second Opinions

Senior Editor Brent Romans says:
I like the Mazda MPV, but I'm probably holding the minority opinion of our staff. Here are the two challenges facing the MPV: It's smaller than the other minivans, and it doesn't have enough power. I'm generally willing to overlook the MPV's small size because it lends a certain sporty feel to the vehicle. The steering is quick and responsive, the brakes work well, and the van is easily maneuvered in tight spaces. What the MPV needs is a high-horsepower engine to make it a "sport minivan," something BMW might build (if its executives suddenly went loco and decided to build a minivan, that is). Instead, the MPV has a 2.5-liter V6 that becomes excessively weedy as you load up on people and cargo. If I was thinking about buying a minivan but didn't have a critical need for the third-row seat, I would consider getting something like a Ford Taurus or Volkswagen Passat wagon. Both offer a good amount of cargo room and are sportier than the MPV. The MPV settles into a niche, then. It's for people who don't need a big van like the Town & Country but have too much stuff for a wagon. The MPV also has a couple nice features, but for the majority of minivan buyers, however, I can't recommend the MPV very highly.

Editor-in-Chief Chris Wardlaw says:
This is the value story of the bunch, but in exchange for a low price, you make do with less power and room than the other vans in this group.

For some people, the MPV ought to be their first choice. It has lots of neat stuff for families, like a "magic" third-row seat, roll-down side windows, middle-row captain's chairs that can form a bench seat and a great sound system. Our test van also had an on-board entertainment system, but the video cassette player is mounted to the floor under the rear seat -- when that seat is folded, the VCP sits vulnerably in the middle of the cargo area.

Mazda also supplies fake wood accents, chrome trim and leather upholstery for less than competitors do and has styled the MPV cleanly. Top all this off with proven crashworthiness, and you'd think the Mazda would represent an unbeatable package.

Though this van makes perfect sense for small families and folks who need a smaller vehicle, the compromise is a rather weak 2.5-liter V6 engine and the smallest cargo area in the class. The transmission shifts harshly under duress, unable to adequately extract maximum performance from the overwhelmed engine. Fortunately, MPV handles decently, even if it does look undertired.

Another bugaboo on my personal gripe list is front seat comfort. Except for the Sienna, I found this to be the most uncomfortable van of the group.

Overall, the MPV is a decent effort. But in my book, it doesn't win this contest.

Road Test Editor John DiPietro says:
The Mazda was a disappointment for me. I expected more gusto from the "Zoom, Zoom" company. In terms of handling, it was the most athletic of the group. Cornering was crisp and flat, though the steering was lighter than I expected and felt numb on center. The biggest bummer was the lack of thrust at higher rpm; around town, the MPV had decent poke, but ran out of breath as the need for speed increased, such as when passing and/or merging. The transmission didn't help matters, as it hesitated when a downshift was called for at higher speeds (such as 50 to 60 mph) instead of quickly stepping down a gear when the driver booted it.

Although the MPV was not without its charms, such as a hide-away folding third seat and roll-down windows in the sliding doors, it needs more engine and a recalibrated transmission before it gets my vote.

Stereo Evaluation - 2001 Mazda MPV

Video Evaluation - 2001 Mazda MPV