Overview & Reviews

Mazda adds power to the MPV in the form of a 200-horsepower V6 engine governed by a five-speed automatic transmission, which is just what the doctor ordered for this previously underpowered minivan. The MPV also gains power-sliding doors, available 17-inch alloy wheels, traction control, an improved braking system and revised suspension tuning.

• Compact and maneuverable, confident handling manners, roll-down windows in sliding doors.

• Limited maximum cargo capacity, lacks some features found in the other minivans.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 139.00

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  Family Zoom Zoom ? - 2002 Mazda MPV
  By Needed Room - December 27 - 10:00 am

  This was the 1st minivan we have purchased. It came down to this or the Honda. Didnt need as much room as the Honda had, so didnt warrant the price difference. Really like the more car like ride than the bigger vans, doesnt feel nearly as clumsy, easier to park. the 3.0L goes just fine and the 5 speed AT is very nice. My wife is the primary driver of the MPV and she gave up her 200 Diamante, which ran like a scalded cat, for the room. She doesnt buy that Zoom Zoom tag, still needs to realize it is a VAN!

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  Completely Happy - 2002 Mazda MPV
  By Alvin - December 8 - 6:00 am

  My wife and I wanted a minivan that wasnt so bulky, with 3RD row stow away seats, and something with decent power under the hood. The 3.0L motor is both powerful and smooth. You forget its a minivan youre driving. The 5 speed automatic makes a world of difference on the freeway and weve found it to be smooth on shifts. We have 118,000 miles, and so far so good. We were going to buy a Honda, but after research, they had just as many complaints from its customers and was bigger than we liked

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  For a niche buyer - 2002 Mazda MPV
  By sugoiya - October 8 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car out of pure necessity. I couldnt wedge anything bigger into the underground parking stall for our condo. The new 300hp V6 gives it a surprising zip when passing or driving on hills, and the smaller wheel base provides excellent maneuverability on our narrow city roads. The folding 3rd row seat was also an important feature to me since I dont have a garage. The trade off for the MPVs small size comes at the expense of passenger comfort, especially for the poor souls sitting in the third row. Definitely unsuitable for long commutes.

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  cool van - 2002 Mazda MPV
  By AZ driver - September 27 - 10:00 am

  Needed more room and versatility. Tried the Sienna but was unimpressed for the price. MPV met our needs and with cash back incentive, we got a lot for our money. Dealership was very easy to deal with during purchase. Have only had for 2 weeks, so cant really comment on reliability. Could use more storage bins (lose one in back due to additl speakers in ES). Could also use a place to put jumper cables etc...without having to remove when reconfiguring back seat (Honda has a little recessed area to put these items w/net).

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  Could use some fine tuning - 2002 Mazda MPV
  By JZA_459 - May 23 - 6:00 am

  We have had the van for about 9 months now with no real issues. I was looking more for an SUV but my wife fell in love with the roll down rear passenger windows, and power opening rear passenger doors. Also, it was easy enough to get the overhead DVD system in even with the large moonroof.

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  good van, lousy factory tires - 2002 Mazda MPV
  By zzz - March 28 - 2:00 am

  Its a great van. Fuel efficiency could be better. After 20k miles, its still very solid. Factory Dunlop tires are crap. Coolant reservoir seems to overflow a bit since new. Easy to maintain (mainly fluid changes).

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  good van, lousy factory tires - 2002 Mazda MPV
  By zippy - March 28 - 2:00 am

  Its a great van. Fuel efficiency could be better. After 20k miles, its still very solid. Factory Dunlop tires are crap. Coolant reservoir seems to overflow a bit since new. Easy to maintain (mainly fluid changes).

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  Why did I buy this van? - 2002 Mazda MPV
  By Mad Driver - January 23 - 9:30 am

  I have no idea why I bought this van. I think I fell for the tricks: fold down 3rd seat, removable 2nd row, roll down windows for the middle with both doors sliding. Back then, those were all new and some still havent taken them on. But things went bad fast. I started having problems, but sadly let them sit til the warranty went, and then it all got way worse. Granted I drive a lot, but things were worse than imaginable, the brakes went bad in half the time they should have, the tires needed replaced an average of 20,000 miles earlier, and you cant do any engine maintenance yourself. Expensive parts, too.

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  A Good Pal - 2002 Mazda MPV
  By joe4prez - December 6 - 2:00 am

  Bought our MPV new in 2002 and now have 82K miles. Weve had a good experience with the van with very few issues. The only problems were replacing 3 coil packs at 65K miles and the fan module at 72K miles. Cost us about $500 for both. After 8 years the car is still solidly built, no electrical or mechanical issues, and no rusting. So far so good.

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  2002 MPV is OK - 2002 Mazda MPV
  By Nigel Chubb - June 16 - 5:06 am

  Has been reliable and fun to drive. The five speed transmission sometimes bangs audibly between 1->2 and 2->3, especially after braking and then accelerating. Im worried about what this might mean we keep it past the warranty period. The rotors went at 18,000 km but replaced under warranty. The Dunlop tires it came with wore out way too fast - before 48,000 km for the first set and the second set almost done at 56,000 km now. Dealership would not compensate, Dunlop would not answer my emails to discuss. Otherwise service very good at Mazda dealers - due to job changes and moves Ive used three different ones regularly.