Not long ago, station wagons were the preferredchoice for hauling people, pets and parcels. Then came minivans that could
do everything wagons could do and more.
Now we've got sport-utility vehicles. Outfitted with four-wheel drive
and a tough, go-anywhere image, it seems everyone wants one. Recognizing
an opportunity, manufacturers are putting the sport-utility label on everything
from trucks to mid-size station wagons to compact cars.
Mazda has been missing the sport-utility bandwagon ever since it stopped
selling the Navajo. Not content to stand on the sidelines any longer, Mazda
dressed up its competent MPV minivan with a sporty package that combines
rugged looks, proven mechanicals, a huge people-carrying capacity and four-wheel
drive.
Though this latest incarnation looks fresh, the MPV is not new. More
than 230,000 of them have been sold since its introduction as a 1989 model.
This popularity can be traced to the performance, handling and reliability
that the MPV offers. Nearly 99 percent of them are still on the road.