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WORDS BY JIM GORZELANY

NOT YOUR MOM’S MINIVANS

More than mere people movers, these newfor-2006 compact vans exude their own sense of style, sportiness and/or luxury.

While the original Volkswagen Microbus from the ’60s is still considered a counter-culture transportation icon in some circles, modern motorists more often dismiss so-called minivans as “mom-mobiles.” Just as American families moved into compact vans from station wagons in the mid-to-late ’80s, they began coveting rugged sport-utility vehicles a decade later.

But don’t count out the humble minivan just yet. Automakers have been reinventing their lines in recent years as stylish, practical and tractable alternatives to rough-and-tumble SUVs. As a result, both sales and the number of models available are on the upswing.

Here’s a look at three of the latest progressive people movers:

Mercedes-Benz R-Class While Mercedes calls the upscale R-Class a “sports tourer,” it’s really a new-millennium minivan with aerodynamic styling and swing-out (rather than sliding) rear doors. The R350 comes powered by a 268-horsepower, twin-cam 3.5-liter V-6 engine that affords ample acceleration, while the R500 is fitted with a
5.0-liter V-8 that generates 302 horses. Both are fitted to a leading-edge seven-speed automatic transmission. The R-Class delivers tenacious cornering abilities, thanks to a four-wheel independent suspension, electronic stability control and all-wheel-drive. Inside, a roomy cabin seats six adults in three rows of bucket seats, and the rear aisles can fold flat independently to accommodate odd-shaped objects. Already well equipped, an opulent array of options includes a soft-yet-secure air suspension, double-sized sunroof and adaptive headlamps that can illuminate the road around curves. $48,000. www.mbusa.com

Mazda5 The brand new Mazda5 is a fun-to-drive, three-row, six-seat cross between a minivan and a wagon that’s smaller, sleeker and handles more nimbly than the norm. Thanks to its “theater-style” seating, all occupants enjoy ample head- and legroom with good outward visibility. Both the second- and third-row seats can fold down to create a virtually flat load floor. A 2.3-liter, four-cylinder engine with Sequential Valve Timing generates a lively 157-horsepower and drives the front wheels via either a four-speed automatic transmission or—a rarity in its class—a five-speed manual gearbox for the true driving enthusiast. Four-wheel disc anti-lock brakes with Electronic Brake-force Distribution are paired with Dynamic Stability Control for added surefootedness. $18,000. www.mazdausa.com

Kia Sedona While it breaks no new ground, Kia dives head first into the minivan mainstream with its redesigned Sedona. Larger and more sophisticated than before, it offers a roomy seven-passenger cabin with a third-row seat that folds into the floor for added flexibility. The Sedona packs a 240-horsepower punch with its 3.8-liter V-6 engine, mated to a five-speed automatic transmission with manual-shift capability.

Safety features include six standard airbags. Available amenities include adjustable brake and accelerator pedals and backseat DVD player. $20,000. www.kia.com

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