Last year, the MPV was significantly upgraded, with a new 3.0-liter V6 that delivered substantially more power and torque. Mazda paired this new engine with a new and responsive five-speed automatic transmission and a revised suspension. Big, sporty 17-inch alloy wheels are standard on the ES version.
The MPV's small size hasn't hurt its performance in crash testing. In fact, the MPV is one of just a few passenger vans to receive a top five-star rating in all four of the Federal government's collision categories: front and side impact, for both front-seat and rear-seat passengers.