Mazda MPV

The original MPV was a crude rear-drive minivan. It could seat up to seven, although the raised rear floor and permanently-attached third seat limited its versatility. After a brief hiatus, the MPV has been reintroduced and revamped for 2000. A front-wheel-drive design based loosely on the 626 sedan replaces the trucklike, rear-drive layout. The new van has two sliding rear doors instead of the earlier swing-out variety and a first side windows that retract into the doors. The interior is narrower than in other minivans, but has some clever details and is nicely finished.