  Nissan Axxess – photo courtesy Wikipedia user dave_7; Dodge Colt Vista – photo courtesy Michael Gil. Click image to enlarge |
The automotive marketplace is a much different place now than it was in the 1980s and 1990s, but MPVs are making an apparent comeback. The new surge in their popularity probably has to do with rising fuel costs, and, related to that, a desire in many motorists to drive smaller vehicles that offer a level of utility approaching that of a crossover or minivan.
The six-seat Mazda5 is in its second generation now, having been redesigned for 2012, and as in 2006, is a reasonably satisfying vehicle to drive. It’s not perfect – its 157-horsepower engine works hard when you’re in a hurry, and the clutch and shifter in manual transmission models aren’t as nicely-tuned as in most Mazdas – but it’s a nice alternative to a minivan (all of which are anything but mini these days) or a crossover.
The Rondo (a five-seater that can be optioned to carry seven) is in its twilight, having been discontinued in the U.S. due to falling sales, though it soldiers on in Canada for 2011, at least. It’s still a decent vehicle despite its age, offering four-cylinder and V6 power, the latter a stronger performer than the Mazda’s motor.
Kia showed a concept called the KV7 at the 2011 Detroit auto show, and this wacky vehicle – it has yellow swivelling seats, teak flooring, a retractable dashboard and a floating table-top touch-screen computer inside – could wind up being the basis for a future MPV, or a replacement for the also-aging Sedona minivan. Sales numbers suggest the Rondo should win out, though, as Kia sold 6,307 of them in 2010, compared to just 1,615 Sedonas. For the record, Mazda sold 7,532 Mazda5s in Canada last year.
  2012 Ford C-MAX; 2012 Chevrolet Orlando. Click image to enlarge |
As for the newcomers to the MPV field, the Orlando uses a 2.4-litre, direct-injected four-cylinder engine that makes 178 horsepower, and seats seven. While General Motors had planned to sell it in the U.S., the company ultimately decided not to do so, but it will go on sale in Canada later this year as a 2012 model. GM has also shown a GMC concept called the Granite; it’s similar to the Orlando, but it’s unclear if it will be produced.
The seven-seat 2012 Ford C-MAX will be offered with a choice of four-cylinder, starting with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder in base models, and a turbocharged EcoBoost 1.6-litre, boasting similar power but lower fuel consumption, will be the option.
On the eco-friendly front, Ford plans to sell hybrid and full-electric versions of its MPV, called C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX Energi, respectively. Toyota has a Prius-based MPV in the pipe, called the Prius v, a five-seater boasting frugal fuel consumption and a notable increase in interior space compared to the standard Prius.
The future of the MPV in Canada will hinge on the success of the new Mazda5 and the latest additions to the segment, and it will be particularly interesting to see how buyers in this class take to Ford and Toyota’s hybrid/electric versions. An MPV may not be the most exciting vehicle to drive, but it will be interesting to watch how the market for them plays out.
