MPV

This minivan nameplate began with Mazda’s original MPV, which was introduced in North America in 1988 and launched in Japan in January 1990. The first generation established the model’s identity as a roomy, unusually versatile family vehicle rather than a conventional boxy van, and Mazda promoted it as a practical people mover with a more driver-focused character than many rivals. A second generation arrived in 1999 with a more modern layout and convenience features, including sliding rear doors and flexible seating arrangements, continuing the nameplate’s reputation for clever packaging. The third and final generation debuted in February 2006, bringing a lower, wider body, improved ride and handling, and a more upscale feel while keeping the three-row minivan format. In some Asian markets, this generation was sold as Mazda8, but it remained the same core nameplate family. Mazda later withdrew from the minivan segment, and the MPV line ended in 2016 after a long run that made it one of the company’s most recognizable people-mover models.