Few people will ever choose the MPV because it has cutting-edge styling. Frankly, it doesn't. When parked among newer aero-look vans, the MPV seems a little pudgy and old-fashioned. But it does have clean, efficient lines that have aged well. Details - such as the subtly flared fenders - keep the MPV from looking bland. The top-of-the-line LXE's two-tone Bordeaux/Silver paint scheme, as on our test van, provides a touch of elegance. It is more likely that buyers will be attracted to the generous interior access afforded by the three large doors and the tailgate. Mazda defied conventional van-building wisdom when it gave the MPV a normal hinged third (right side) door instead of the more common slide-back panel. Some owners see this as a safety feature, and others appreciate its ease of operation and the wider opening it allows. The full-width tailgate is convenient for loading bulky items, though the high liftover is a bit of a nuisance if the items are heavy. Another plus for the MPV is its relatively small size. It's more than a foot shorter than the Nissan Quest, and nearly 2 ft. shorter than the GM minivans. For close-quarter maneuvering, every inch counts, and that makes the MPV a winner in at least one area. With the demise of the puny base engine, all MPVs are now powered by a 155-hp V6, which drives the rear wheels through a 4-speed automatic transmission. The only powertrain option available is a shift-on-the-fly 4-wheel-drive system with a lockable center differential. Few external features differentiate the three MPV trim levels. Only a body-color grille and rear license plate border set the LX apart from the base L, and the aforementioned two-tone paint scheme and alloy wheels are the only clues that the MPV you're looking at is the upper-crust LXE. Other differences are only apparent from inside the MPV's cabin.
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