Here’s how the Mazda MPV failed by trying to be both an SUV and minivan
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- Опубліковано 26 вер 2024
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In this episode I provide the history of the Mazda MPV. It was released in 1989, as the minivan market had become one of the most popular car segments. But the MPV was standard with rear wheel drive, and optionally offered with full time four wheel drive like an SUV, and didn't have a sliding door, but instead a conventionally hinged rear door only on the passenger side. Sales never came close to Chrysler's best-selling minivans, leading to a complete redesign in 1999 that made the MPV pretty much like all other minivans by then, with dual sliding doors and front-wheel-drive. Although that initial change helped boost sales, it soon faded into obscurity, leading to its replacement with the CX-9 by 2007.
Everyone forgets the Mazda 5 which was just as weird as it was quite small for a minivan but did have sliding rear doors. it was even sold in the US with a stick as an option, probably the last minivan to do so
That was a station wagon with sliding doors
Forgets? I still see them occasionally.
@@roketfingers remember the Stanza wagon / Nissan Axxess?
I think the Mazda 5 was more closely related to “micro vans” found in other countries (there is nothing mini about a minivan). I had a Mazda 5 for a week rental and I liked it, looks aside. Very practical if you didn’t need the added size.
Yeah I was wondering why the Mazda 3 based Mazda 5 wasn't mentioned either. I think we got them untill 2015. I liked the idea of a smaller minivan option...and could be had with a stick! It and the MPV were smallish though compared to others which I think hurt them. We actually got two generations of Mazda 5s here after the MPV.
The first gen was a pretty cool looking vehicle. Kinda ahead of its time imo.
Agreed
Completely agree, to the point that I bought a low mile, pre-facelift, 4WD example out of CA this year. It's basically a crossovan, much like many of today's mid-size SUVs. It's just such a practical vehicle, and now I can dedicate my '88 Dodge Raider to heavier off-road duty.
Ive been a Mazda technician for over 25 years and the MPV was actually quite popular with its customers. The main reason for the new 2nd generation FWD later version was due to Ford's involvement and partial ownership.
What dealer are you at?
I grew up riding around in (and eventually driving) an '89 2WD with a V6, it was an excellent vehicle. We towed with it and hauled a kayak on the roof, though several different states, it never let us down.
I owned a black and silver 1998 MPV Allsport. Absolutely loved that vehicle!! The locking differential 4 wheel drive was a beast! Got me thru some terrible illinois winters. Never got stuck. Sadly the transmission eventually started to die and only in 2013 did we trade vehicle in for an Awd Buick Enclave lease.
yup, when Ford replaced the engine in 2001 with a larger better gas mileage engine, it was so unreliable compared to its Mazda counterpart in 2000 and before...
I owned a 1990 4wd MPV and absolutely loved it. One of the few vehicles I’ve ever owned that I miss. Enough ground clearance to handle snow, quite spacious for hauling when removing the third seat, and pretty comfortable to drive with good sight lines. I would love to find another one.
Yeah I really liked the first gen
I always root for the underdog car companies: AMC, Lancia, Mazda - I like how those companies innovated and came up with weird and cool stuff. I'm glad Mazda is still around. Mazda also makes some of the nicest looking new cars sold today, too.
I did remember the Mazda5 which was the unofficial successor to the MPV in the US Market, which was a small Minivan that ran in the US from 2006-2015 across two generations. Production ended globally in 2018.
They weren’t comparable by size. The Mazda 5 was much smaller, I’d say it was closer to something like a Honda Fit or Element than a minivan.
The Montero like height and GC plus its 4 WD optional actually inherited in the 7 seaters Mazda CX-9, albeit it is moving to the luxury segment today.
@@cpassehl it was a crossover, bigger then the Fit, with an extra seat over either the Fit or the Element. There for very technically closer to something like the Subaru Outback, then either of the two you have stated. Ford had the Freestyle which closer resembled an Outback, but offered more seating. as well as Kia had the Rondo though they did eventually do away with the third row.
Japan classifys the 5 as a station wagon and thats basically how I treat mine; a road only SUV.
I hope for a Mazda 929 video!
The MPV was quirky, and that was its best attribute. When it went vanilla, it was never quite right. Too small, too expensive, too weak... They should have stuck to their original formula and kept evolving it.
I wish they kept the name instead of CX9
Wu tang clan loved these... these were loved on the east coast
MPV was ahead of its time. The concept was sound.
The MPV were extremely popular in the Northern states. Alot of guys in New York customized them!
Please do an episode on the Mitsubishi Diamante
What a coincidence! I saw one just yesterday a very early 1990's one driving in the street. In chanpagne color, of course. I thought to myself, that I hadn't seen one of those in about 20 years.
Other than the rust, the one I owned was hands down the best vehicle I ever owned. I still miss it.
I had one of these and it was one of the favourite vehicles I ever owned!
This vehicle wasn't a failure. It was actually super cool!
Great video! I remember driving a first gen MPV years ago. The ride was truck like and being car based with optional 4 wheel drive makes it almost more a earlier crossover than a minivan.
The Mazda MPV is the unofficial car of Wu Tang Clan and late 80s/early 90s Hip Hop in general.
I'm shocked that wasn't mentioned in the video
We had an 1989 MPV as a kid. It was an amazing vehicle!
We owned a Mazda MPV for ten years and we loved it. Nobody makes a mid-sized minivan anymore.
Thank you for this content brother. I turn 35 this year and feel more nostalgic with every passing day. This hits the spot and gives me well articulated info while I work.
Good pick thanks! These were popular in the northeast thanks to their awd and japanese build quality.
4wd*!!!!
I did some work on a Mazda 5 just a few days ago. They are a small mini van! 3rd row seating and all!
Minivan wise, these first gen MPVs did alright over here. They didn't outsell Previa's, Odysseys or GMC Safari's for sure but still managed to be more popular than the Aerostar, Windstar, lumina APVs and maybe even the first 2 generation of the Voyagers/Caravans.
The MPV sold quite well in Canada - there were tons of them around here for years. The 4wd models were quite prevalent.
Nobody cares about Canada .
The first-gen MPV (and Honda Odyssey) weren't really minivans, they were 'people movers' which is basically a global analog to a minivan but with normal doors instead of sliding ones. See also: Renault Espace
Arguably, the Mitsubishi-built Dodge/Plymouth Colt Vista falls into this category, as well.
The emerging market's Toyota Innova also falls under this category technically.
Something like the Volkswagen Sharan/Ford Galaxy in Europe.
I love cab over vans
What's really unique about it is it's off-road capabilities, with it's Japanese truck-like drivetrain, suspension, and ground clearance. It's a very practical vehicle.
Would love to see an original mpv turned into an overlander. Seems like a perfect candidate
It actually aged pretty well. Now that almost all cars look like high beltline SUVs. It looked ahead of it's time.
MPVs were a hit. Loved the concept.
The MPV was ahead of its time.
I really liked the Mazda 5 and considered getting one, thinking it would be great for different activities. A friend did buy one and still has it to this day. Runs great and he loves it.
This is the only car I’ve requested. I remember the mpv in 1999 was the first and only minivan to have sliding doors with roll down windows!
Thanks for posting this! I’d been curious about these as they seem very useful. I’d welcome a video on GM’s ‘97 minivan offerings from Doraville Assembly. Venture, Montana, Sintra, and Silhouette are all good vans. Their car-like narrow width, good enough LA1 engine, and Versatrak are worth talking about versus the Ford and Mopar offerings. GM didn’t know Dexcool would eat her intake gaskets, but that can be fixed.
I had a 2003 MPV, great little van, affordable and very reliable.
This background music fits so well to every video! Please never never ever replace this music!
The background music has been replaced now. It should last longer.
Everyone wanted one of these in the 90’s
I would love a clip on the 929, we didnt get those in Europe (or It was a are car). The evolution of the 626 into the 6 is also interesting
Real Interesting, thank you for this cool video. The vehicles of the 80's And 90's look sweet!
I really do feel like the first generation MPV just looked a bit too much like a used bar of soap, but in hindsight it was quite the innovation for their day. I mean, they did what GM did with the Uplander and similar SUV-nosed minivans 15 years after the MPV.
Now that Mazda is independent, their quality and reliability has improved which means they are just as good Honda & Toyota
Toyota is the one to avoid
As good? They have been better quality for quite some time.
Astro van would be a great followup
Our 2005 MPV is still on the road, with 250k miles, has required very little done to it above routine maintenance. With all the seats flipped down it still can haul more stuff than a truck with a cab cap. 👍
Speaking of oddball Japanese minivans, do the Mistubishi Expo LRV. It never sold well because it lacked a 3rd row, but the compact size made it a very unique offering. It's rare now, but I have managed to own 3 over the years.
As a Mazda owner, I'd definitely like to see more content on the brand. Maybe an episode on the RX-7 or RX-8?
Consistently good content. Thanks Pat.
Great video! Can you make a video about the Mazda 929, Mazda Millenia, Acura Legend and Vigor?
Perfect list.
The first model year Mazda MX-3 had the diamond logo. I had a few with it. Actually would love to see an episode on the MX-3.
Rollin in MPVS every week we made 40g’s
1st gen was way ahead of it's time. Precursor to modern crossovers.
Gotta do the Vanagon at some point, and its replacement, the Eurovan
you should do an episode on the Datsun B210
I think the Mazda Protege definitely deserves an episode
Protege is included here: ua-cam.com/video/QPK5uX4BA1o/v-deo.html
Reminder that Mazda also made the Mazda5 and there was a Mazdaspeed version
The Mazda MPV was so ahead of its time. It has the fundamental features and design of the modern day family crossover. Unibody architecture, seats 7, and efficient. The 90’s were a time of experimentation for the next big seller as customers want space and practicality, so the minivan was king, but it was associated with bland suburbia. While the rugged SUV provided the same space as a minivan and added coolness, but gas mileage suffered from its heavy body-on-frame design meant for off-roading. So the 2000’s saw the rise of SUV’s using sedan-derived unibody platforms with lighter weight AWD systems to keep gas consumption down. Today we have the CX-90. Completely devoid of off-road and ruggedness from traditional SUV’s, and has more in common with the civility of a full-size sedan.
The MPVs Unibody design was sadly its biggest reason for rusting out beyond repair.., the main reason they are so rare nowadays. Also they were available with 8 seats aswell, while most minivans of the time only had 7.
The Chrysler Grand Voyager is/was peak though (AKA Town and Country in the US)
I think the Mazda Millennia deserves its own video
Was our family car and it lasted 15 years. Ahead of it's time
I remember the diamond logo. I had a parent who worked at Mazda and there was a short time I'd see their demo with the diamond. We mostly had the MPV because there was 5 kids in the family. I got the center rear seat allllllll the time. I HATED the MPV. It reminds me of crappy uncomfortable long road trips.
I didn't know about the Mazda logo until now. Thanks Pat, for another great video.
Mazda 5 was truly unique for its time. It was between a micro van and hatchback but classified as a wagon.
I remember when Mazda intro'd the MPV. I was too young at the time to drive a car, but I liked the idea behind it. Instead of targeting the Chrysler Minivans of the time, perhaps they should've aimed at those who were buying the Chevy Astro and GMC Safari, and the Ford Aerostar. They were front engine, rear-wheel drive.
The GM vans were called the dust buster van but the Ford Aerostar has a similar wedge shape
I had a second gen 2000 MPV ES and it was a wonderful vehicle that served our family very well … zoom zoom
Thanks for the post.
I had a 92 Colt Vista wagon.
Would love to see you look into the Colt.
At a certain time, Mazda had done some good design/engineering. Beauty is in eyes of the beholder, I agree. I believe Mazda had/has great looking cars.
You're preaching to the choir. I've had a Protege, 626, MPV, Mazda 5 and a Mazda 3. Never did anything but regular maintenance on any of them.
Great episode. I remember those MPV’s.
The Mazda 626 deserves a look too. It never really measured up to the Accord or Camry.
I owned the Gen1 & Gen2 Mazda MPV. I truly loved the Gen1.
I remember seeing alot of these at the time never needed a minivan thank God
Mid to Late 90s the MPV was as cool. Hip Hop had an impact on how desirable it was.
Please Do a video on the Ford Explorer sport trac pickup
This vehicle was A hood classic. 😂😂
It looks like the gen 1 honda pilot that came out in 2002, 14 years after the mpv.
Nice Job on the Mazda MPV Minivan Video, Speaking of Ford, Mazda's B Series shared a Pickup Truck body with the Ford Ranger Pickup, Maybe you could do a video on that one.
I would love to see the Mazda MX-3 Precidia featured. The V-6 version was a weird little engine but it was fun while it lasted
I drove a 1997 All sport 2WD as a college student, I really loved it, pretty reliable.
owned both iterations of the MPV and loved them both for different reasons. I would have bought the Mazda 5 but it didn't last that long. Had good success with my MPV's
1st generation was also available as a 5 speed manual 4WD V6 !
Correct, but sadly only from 1988-1991
this car was loved by east coast rappers and lots of them mention MPVs in their songs. DJ Premier and Biz Markie had $10k sound systems in theirs
Another great vid with great info.
I had an mpv 4x4 for 3 years and loved it.
"Rollin' In MPV's,
Every Week, We Make 40 G's"
"C.R.E.A.M." - Wu Tang Clan
Wu Tang forever 👐
@@dhillaz Raekwon The Chef
Biz was on ‘‘em first👌
@@xGLITCHGAMINGx Which song?
@@xGLITCHGAMINGx album cover 💯
The MPV failed? They made it for 11 years and I know so many people that had them and loved them. I guess I mean the 1st gen ones... If Mazda failed at anything it's that they changed the design entirely for the 2nd gen instead of filling an important niche (that they alone pretty much world have owned).
Always did and still do like the looks of the Gen 1 Mazda van.
Both Honda and Toyota still sell minivans in the U S market.
I was going to comment the Mazda offer the 5 for 2 generations end I believe in 2015. We bought a 2012 new (our first and only new car purchase) in 2014. Yeah they didn’t sell well but it was a great vehicle.
Great Episode again!
Thanks !!!
If you lived in Cupertino, Saratoga or Almaden Valley, CA in the 1990s, this was the prominent car of its time
I live and grew up in San Jose, I used to see them all the time. We even had a 929 and used to see a handful around the Bay quite regularly in the early 00's.
Love to see one about mercury villager and nautica edition
great video as always
But the MPV was very big in Latin America. I still see them around in Colombia, Brazil and in the Caribbean.
this is the formula that geely has perfected with the okavango, a crossover between an mpv and an suv
I would love to see an episode on the Mazda truck from the 80s. What was it called, B10 or something like that. I remember in high school I thought it was a really sharp little truck. Never had one never drove one.
I lament the demise of the minivan. It's so much better than the SUV, both in terms of comfort and practicality.
1998 MPV AWD ALLSPORT. Best car I ever had. Locking diff, real 3rd seat, and cargo, captain seats. Suspension very expensive too repair.
4WD*
MORE MINIVANS! CHEVY ASTRO! THE ONLY MINIVAN THAT WILL LET YOU ESCAPE FROM THE EXPLODING PLANET!
Nice video! I remember seeing it on the road many years ago!!!
Mpv used be popular in the east coast such as nyc , nj and pa due to fact that drug dealers and rappers used to move in them.
The Mazda 5 is the only Mazda I’ve driven, but it can do some good donuts in reverse. Got one as a rental when I was 17
This thing could be a great camping vehicle. Maybe hit the trails while you’re at it 👍🏽
Thanks for that last statement about the ridiculous price of the burger! Needed to be said!!!
😀
Steve.
Face it, all todays crossovers are minivans with swing-out doors.
East coast hood classic!! Probably would've sold more if they had wu tang endorse it 😂😂😂