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Did you know that I‘m going to be 30 years old this year? 1 don‘t mm&s-fi-rr%mw Small things are happening â€" like driving wanting to mzmmfldl‘ymdmd van with more than 47,000 units being sold since its introduction in 1989. With the popularity of sportâ€"utility vehicles (SUV) and all the slick new domestic minivans on the floor, Mazda has been forced w rethink its position in the market. This review has spawned a kind of crossbred minivan sportâ€"use. At first the MPV does not seem to have changed much, but look more closely and you will notice the front hood is 15 cm longer, the nose flaer, and the ground clearance greater , giving it an SUVâ€"like posture. Also, a hinged rearâ€"door has been added on the driver‘s side to improve access to the secondâ€" and thirdâ€"row seats. Of course, sliding doors are nicer to open in narrow spaces but Curiner oo thoubjeearre of eimg mre t to more like a sportâ€"ute, the MPV smokwdnlrawm&dcmum time 4 WD system that can be switched by the touth of a bution making it great for our disreputable climate. The fourâ€"speed auto matic is smooth around town but it seems to kick down hard under acceleration. The steering column mounted gear selector has been made overly thick so an overdrive ON/OFF switch can be incorporated Fight into it. ©© _ _ unchanged 155 hp and 169 Ibâ€"ft of torque. The problem is that the MWBmywmflyrUd‘l‘hhbpulafldcmd'h-fliu by lan B. Macpherson A polished version of the 3.0â€"litre Vâ€"6 is back with an â€"a perfect blend of sport utility vehicle and minivan but this extra stiffness comes at the expense of weight, and throw in the extra the allâ€" whee! drive mechanicals and it equals less thanâ€" sparkling performance and fuel economy. The MPV‘s suspension has been tuned imperceptibly, leaving it as one of the beter handling minivans on the marke with no appreciable body roll in corners â€" surprising considering how tall it is Again, the ride quality is excellent and 1 noticed none of the squeaks and rattles that 1 have come to expect from many domes tic minivans. As far as being the most carâ€"like, the MPV still has some carching up to do when compared to Chrysler‘s newest genâ€" With the sears in place only 11 cubic feet of storage space remains behind the back seat That‘s about the same size as the trunk of 2 small car. All sears can be easily removed for some inieâ€" rior versatility The back seat can also be folded down w increase storage space without removing the back seat As far as minivans go the MPV is not ranked number one when considering most of the standard crueria, like storage area , price and carâ€"like manners. in its own regard the MPV is 2 standowt for is rugged characier, sport handling and even more for 1t‘s unique sponâ€"ute styling. Compared with sportâ€"utility vehicles, the MPYV 4X4 saill hovers around the lower end of the class in price but 1: stacks up quite well for traction and ability w get into inaccess: bie places. But let‘s not kid ourseives, people don‘t need SUV‘s t The seating in my wesier was for seven (optional) with four capâ€" tain‘s chairs and a rear bench. The captain‘s chairs offer superior combon and good support each with us‘ own armrest. The rear seat can accommeodate three but it is a little tight across and for the legs Overall the MPV was quite comiortable with tons of head and fecling of being squeezed in eration of minivans. â€" Mazda has really gone w work on the inside of the MPV with an allâ€"new dash and instrumen: pane| that looks nearer and more comemporary. Cup holders abound and there are large storage pockes in each door. Even beier are réar windows that roll down., and not just part way. Dualâ€"airbags and antilock brakes are now standard and Mazda says that the addimonal noses additional legroom , at least for four, but my passengers couldn‘t get over 2 haul the kids and grocenes â€" owning 2 SUV is more about makâ€" ing a statement. The MPV undoubrediy makes less of one just by the fact that it is a minivan, but when fexibility is needed. sens bility should help to carve a nice little miche for 1t d