From Mazda, a true minivan
Over the past decade, the minivan, the wildly successful vehicle introduced by Chrysler-Plymouth in 1983, grew into a maxivan, since bigger generally seems to be considered better when it comes to most things automotive.
In the process, the station wagon, a former staple of the auto industry, became stigmatized, which was unfortunate. Some felt the wagon's design was functional and more economical than that of the van, which, no matter how rounded at the corners, remains a big box that's pushed through air.
Now, Mazda has introduced a true minivan, in the form of the 2006 Mazda5. (The ''5" stands for five doors.) To a station wagon aficionado, the major reason it's not a wagon is that the two rear doors slide to open and close.
The Mazda5 is not large. Compared to the
But size, or lack of it, may matter, given the uncertainty over gas prices and the worldwide (except in the United States) movement to smaller vehicles.
''The Mazda5 is part of a class of vehicle that is hugely popular in Europe and Japan, where space and utility must be maximized and driving performance is held at a premium," said Kenichi Fukunaga, chief program engineer for the Mazda5. ''It was designed at the outset to be really good to drive, yet it also was designed to be versatile and practical."
Based on our testing, mission accomplished.
Mazda's advertising slogan is ''Zoom-Zoom," but anyone familiar with the brand knows the real buzz around the company comes from its 4-cylinder engines, power plants that zoom but also buzz as they rev.
The vehicle's relatively light weight, combined with a 2.3-liter engine that produces 154 horsepower and 148 lb.-ft. of torque, delivers EPA mileage figures of 21 to 26 m.p.g.; the chat rooms, however, are abuzz (that word again) with postings from folks who claim they're doing better than that when they're out of true stop-and-go city driving.
Is there enough power? We think so, though this Mazda will have to work hard to climb Mount Washington with a full load.
As far as style, its shape resembles the
The Mazda5 has true minivan interior versatility. Both the second- and third-row seats fold flat at the pull of straps. The result is a big chunk of open storage area that can be reconfigured to accommodate three, four, five, or six passengers. And it can be done without jammed fingers or skinned knuckles.
On the Touring model we tested, the second row had a center console with cup holders and a mesh storage bag (instead of a molded plastic box) that can fold into a storage area under the right rear seat.
For someone 6 feet tall, legroom is snug but acceptable in the second and third rows. But it takes a bend-duck-and-twist maneuver to get an adult into the third row. The second and third rows each elevate slightly, theater-style, giving rear passengers good outside views.
The driving experience is Mazda-sporty. The driver's seat, with its manual adjustments, can fit most drivers, and the steering wheel telescopes and has height adjustments.
The design team did a nice job of keeping the stiff, sporty ride of the Mazda3, tempering it enough for comfort while leaving the driver with responsive steering. The van has independent suspension both front and rear.
There are some features missing in a vehicle that can be purchased fully equipped for $19,510.The key omission is the lack of traction control for winter driving. It also lacks a lighted vanity mirror.
But it does include automatic climate control, outside temperature readout, fog lights, and a six-speaker/six-CD sound system that is MP3-compatible.
The Mazda5 might just have enough to make it a success in the US market.
