Mazda's revamped Mazda5 mini-minivan proves that.

The biggest change is a new five-speed automatic transmission replacing the four-speed, which allowed gear ratios that boost fuel economy while also boosting performance.

An uninspiring and generally unpleasant machine is now fun and lively, if not exactly a rocket.

Helping the transformation: an improved interior with thoughtful additions such as separate vents and fan controls for the second row on all models and a redesign of the center console and environs.

Styling details are tweaked.

What you get is a slick little package that makes you wonder why other machines can't be as well done.

A big caveat: The brake pedal is about an inch closer to the center tunnel than in other small vehicles. That's tight enough to make it easy to tangle your right foot under the edge of the brake pedal as you lift your foot off the throttle to hit the brakes. Big problem in emergencies. Nobody's complained, Mazda says.

Two small caveats: You can't get traction control or electronic stability control. Nobody's asking for them, Mazda says. Could be added if there's demand, the automaker says.

Traction control sounds useful but isn't always. Stability control, though, has been anointed by the feds as the best safety feature since belts, and it'll be required within years.

If you haven't seen a Mazda5, or heard of it, no wonder.

Mazda introduced it in the USA in 2005 and sold fewer than 5,000 that year, 17,000 the next and just 14,000 last year. Lumped together, the total averages about 700 per state — not enough to fill a shopping mall parking garage.

The only reason for Mazda to bother offering the 5 in the USA is that it's a hit elsewhere. "There's very little investment to bring it to North America," says Jeff Horne, Mazda5 vehicle line manager. It's a core product in Mexico and Canada, but almost an afterthought in the USA, where buyers still favor larger vehicles and generally dislike minivans.

Too bad. As small vehicles go, this one's big. And as minivans go, this one's cool.

For the driver, the five-speed automatic is a big deal. Now the 5 jumps and runs when you toe the throttle. The slushbox cues the gutty four-banger to give you all it has, which isn't a lot but enough to tote the family or execute big-road merges without anxiety. Those who live in hilly or mountainous terrain will find it marginal, though, especially if carrying several folks or a hefty load is the norm.

There's a useful manual-shift mode on the automatic, but it uses Mazda's forward-to-downshift, backward-to-upshift pattern. Mazda says that's how race cars do it. But pretty much no one else does, so you'll take awhile to adjust.

Other in-motion attributes are upgraded. Steering is crisp, responsive without any touchiness. Brakes bite harder with less pedal push. The 5 is a handful if you hit that sneaky, spiraling exit ramp too briskly. Lots of lean. That's probably good, as it'll discourage you from pushing a vehicle that lacks electronic stability control.

Here's what stood out in suburban, family use:

•Comfy. Seats, space, layout are all nicely done. Mazda says buyers average 45 years old and often have two kids under 6. Don't be dissuaded. Teens fit fine in the second row.

The two bucket seats standard in the second row slide fore and aft to help find the right mix of space for the second-row riders and either cargo behind them or third-row riders.

Third row's tight, but sits fine if you can get the second-row seats far enough forward.

•Clever. The tailgate has two stops. The first holds it open without scraping when you park under a low ceiling. The second stop is wide open. The second-row chairs have bins under the cushions to hide iPods, cameras, purses, other valuables when you park in iffy places.

•Distinctive. The swoopy styling — European, Mazda says — will strike some as a lovely flow. Others, more an uglification of the van's basic box shape.

•Quiet. Though the tester, a $25,480, very well-equipped Grand Touring, had chunky-tread Bridgestone Blizzak snow tires on all four wheels, the 5 still wasn't very noisy on most surfaces. Nor was there the front-suspension clunk on bumps still found on other bargain vehicles.

•Small. The 5 remains a small vehicle and suffers from that. For instance, the driver's seat won't slide back far enough for tall users. And there's limited space behind the rear seat, though enough for some briefcases and duffel bags.

•Aggravating. The sliding side doors that define the 5 as a van are stiff and too heavy for the kids likely to use them — pinch potential. Power doors aren't available. If you drive with a hand draped over the shifter, your fingers play along rough edges of its plastic track. All-wheel drive isn't planned for the USA, though it is available in other markets. Also not available is a backup camera to spot short things — kids, tricycles, pets — behind the van.

If your feet are narrow enough never to tangle under the brake pedal, and the lack of stability control doesn't worry you, then the 5 has little else to take it off a short list of marvelously useful, moderately priced vehicles.

About the 2008 Mazda5

What is it?

Mini-minivan; front-drive, six-passenger, compact van loosely based on Mazda3 sedan. Manufactured at Hiroshima, Japan.

How soon?

On sale since December.

How much?

Starting prices range from $18,630, including $635 destination charge, for base Sport with manual transmission to $23,000 for the Grand Touring with automatic. Test vehicle was Grand Touring with navigation system, other options, priced $25,480. Mazda says average transaction is about $21,000.

How many?

15,000 a year.

What's the drivetrain?

2.3-liter four-cylinder, rated 153 horsepower at 6,500 rpm, 148 pounds-feet of torque at 4,500; five-speed automatic transmission (five-speed manual on base model). Traction control not available.

What's the safety hardware?

Expected array of belts and front-, side- and head-curtain air bags; anti-lock brakes with force distribution and brake assist. Stability control not available.

What's the rest?

Standard and optional features vary by model. Details at www.mazdausa.com.

How big?

The size of a compact car; nearly 2 feet shorter and a foot narrower than a conventional minivan. The 5 is 181.5 inches long, 69.1 inches wide, 64.2 inches tall, on a 108.3-inch wheelbase.

•Weight is listed as 3,417 lbs. (manual transmission) or 3,475 lbs. (automatic). Rated to carry 1,190 lbs. of people, cargo and accessories. Towing is not recommended.

•Passenger space is listed as 97.7 cubic feet. Cargo space in cubic feet is listed as 11.7 behind the third row, 44.4 when the third row's folded, 83.9 with second and third rows folded.

•Turning circle is listed as 34.8 feet.

How thirsty?

Manual transmission model rated 22 miles per gallon in town, 28 on the highway, 24 in combined driving. Automatic is 21/27/23.

•Test vehicle got about 19 mpg in suburban driving. The tester lacked a trip computer (Mazda's dismissive of them), so mileage was figured by filling up and dividing gallons into miles driven — time-honored but less accurate than a trip computer because vapor-recovery systems on fuel pumps and vehicle fuel tanks prevent accurate repeat filling.

•Fuel tank holds 15.9 gallons. Regular (87-octane) gasoline is specified.

Overall:

Missing some modern features but remarkably handy, pleasant.

		Mazda5, the only mini-minivan on the market, features some quality touches in its tight package. Mazda via Wieck

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