The GT model has power-assisted rear doors, which means you can just give them a slight tug to close them, and the doors' motors finish the job

(Photo: Philippe Champoux)

for you; it's so easy that even my 3-year old son can successfully slide the rear doors shut. Also, the large windows and sunroof keep the cabin very bright, and visibility is good all around except around the fat A-pillars, which seems to be an epidemic in new models on the market.

Once Goldilocks stops waltzing in other people's houses to eat their porridge and nap in their beds, and starts a family, her extreme pickiness might find the Mazda5 to be just right. It's not too big but not too small. What's ironic is that about 15 years ago, a couple of manufacturers sold similar vehicles, but were abandoned only a few years later as the SUV craze was igniting. The Nissan Axxess and the Mitsubishi Expo / Dodge Colt / Plymouth Colt / Eagle Summit Wagon quadruplets (all produced by

(Photo: Philippe Champoux)

Mitsubishi) offered a high roof, plenty of room, a frugal 4-cylinder engine, and sliding doors. Now that gas is more expensive than bottled water, we might see more and more of these munchkin vans. I'm all for it.

The Mazda5 GT, equipped with the automatic, air conditioning and carbon gray mica paint, sells for $24,895. That's not bad for a vehicle that will fulfill your need for space, and will cost you less fuel than your regular V6-powered minivan. Sacrificing such features as the sunroof, power rear doors, 17-inch wheels and a few airbags could land you in a GS model with A/C and manual tranny for only $21,095. It will definitely be on my shopping list the next time I'll change the family

(Photo: Philippe Champoux)

vehicle.

What I like:
6-passenger seating
Perfect dimensions, inside and out
Efficient and peppy powertrain

What I don't like:
Needs an extra gear in the automatic transmission
Useless radio buttons
Fat A-pillars hamper visibility

CLICK HERE to view the 2006 Mazda5's specifications.