In addition to offering exceptional passenger comfort in warmer weather, the interior of the MPV is highly functional although somewhat compact by today's standard for a minivan. Despite not tumbling into the floor Chrysler-style, the second-row captain's

The MPV's interior is highly functional although somewhat compact by today's minivan standards. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press)

chairs can be collapsed easily and folded forward in order to increase cargo space, or completely removed to maximize such. These two seats can also be slid together, forming something close to a bench style seat. Doing so will create additional floor space and improve the ease-of-entry into the third row bench seat. For 2004, Mazda has made the process of tumbling the third-row seat into its tub or raising it much less Herculean in nature. A spring-assist now provides the mechanical advantage needed to overcome the static weight of the seat, without the need to keep a chiropractor on retainer.

Passengers entering the rear seating area may do so through either a passenger's-side or driver's-side sliding door, both of which can be power operated depending on the option package chosen. Spectacular about this pair of doors is their large windows that

Folding away the third row of seats won't require a trip to the chiropractor afterwards. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press)

open by dropping into the door, similar to rear-door windows in a typical sedan. Minivan rear-seat passengers rarely get the wind in the hair effect, especially when the optional, and then again, very large sunroof is also opened. With that in mind the MPV interior is well thought-out. Storage bins and map pockets are plentiful, as are cupholders and water bottle holders. The second row captain seats feature convenient slide-out cupholders. Fit and finish within the upscale GT interior is first-rate. Rearward passengers enjoy their own heat controls and depending on option choices, they may also administer their own air-conditioning. That's a far cry from the sweat-box days of my youth when the only type of climate control was an open front window so far out of reach it was akin to a mirage of an oasis in the middle of the Sahara.