The Mazda Premacy is a fine people carrier, but one that is off the radar for most used car buyers. Launched in the UK in June 1999 it was Mazda’s contribution to the burgeoning MPV market.

With a neat body, reasonable price tag and the choice of petrol and diesel power it should have done well, but it didn’t. Not as clever as a Renault Scénic nor as cheap as a Citroën Picasso it struggled, and when the team at Mazda decided to go head to head with Vauxhall by offering a seven-seater version to compete with the Zafira buyers still failed to be impressed.

But with the benefit of hindsight the Premacy is starting to win fans. Like many cars that failed to make an impact when new, the Premacy has become an attractive second-hand proposition. It might not be top of its class — although in the year production ended it came runner-up in the JD Power customer satisfaction survey — but it remains an extremely competent MPV. So if you want one, buy now before the rest of the country realises.

Pre-2001 models were available in 1.8 litre petrol and 2 litre diesel, the petrol available as a 99bhp GXi or 115bhp GSi, and the diesel as an 89bhp GXi only. But it is the post-November 2001 cars that now look most appealing. A boost in power to 99bhp for the diesel was accompanied by the introduction of the 127bhp 2 litre petrol engine.

While performance is rarely a consideration in an MPV, the extra horses are welcome and the low-down torque makes the diesel a cracking buy. The extra power did little to dent the diesel’s economy and a genuine 45mpg-plus can be returned in mixed motoring.

In addition, all models gained air-conditioning, brake assist and freshened styling together with the option of two extra seats on the 2 litre petrol and diesel models. While the third row of seats is hardly cavernous and cuts luggage space, it’s a useful feature in a reasonably compact car.

Mazda attempted also to address the first generation Premacy’s issues with noise, vibration and harshness. It even commissioned purpose-made low-noise tyres to help make the cabin a more refined place to be. But a lack of insulation between cabin, engine bay and road still makes noise levels the car’s Achilles heel.

Overall, however, the Premacy is a pleasing drive. The steering may be a touch light, but handling is good and visibility is excellent. The interior plastics and fabric are extremely durable and the seats are comfy and supportive. Useful tricks such as flat-fold seats and plenty of cupholders are par for the segment and only the lack of sliding rear seats puts it at a disadvantage against some competitors.

One minor quibble is with the windscreen wipers. The passenger-side wiper is smaller than its partner, which has the effect of leaving areas of high-level screen uncleaned and producing an annoying vertical smear running through the middle of the driver’s line of sight — carelessness on the part of Mazda.

But minor irritants apart it’s difficult to fault the Premacy, particularly as time has proved its excellent reliability. It may have ceased production in 2004, but it’s one used car that’s definitely worth looking at.

Seats After 2001 Premacys were available in both five and seven-seat versions and while the rearmost seats are a tad tight, they are fine for children. The centre seat in the middle row can be folded sideways to create more shoulder room for passengers


Servicing Due every 9,000 miles

Air-conditioning Standard on all facelifted models from late 2001, it also includes an aldehyde filter to absorb smoke pollution





Comfort Height-adjustable steering wheel is standard but it lacks any adjustment for reach





Gearbox Not as sweet as some Japanese cars but the gearstick is well placed, high in the centre of the dash. Automatic gearbox introduced on petrol models as part of the 2001 facelift. It rarely causes any problems





Safety Twin front airbags. ABS and electronic brake assist standard on facelifted models





Security Remote central locking standard with deadlocking facility





Bumpers Colour-coded paintwork is prone to scuffs and scrapes

VITAL STATISTICS

Model Mazda Premacy 2.0 Di Turbo GXE
Engine 1998cc, four cylinders
Power 99bhp
Transmission Five-speed manual
Fuel 49.6mpg (combined cycle)
Acceleration 0-60mph: 12.9sec
Top speed 106mph

THE ONE TO BUY

Mazda Premacy 2.0 Di Turbo GXE 7-seater 2003 53 with 30,000 miles. Pay £6,825 at a franchised Mazda dealer, £6,000 privately

OR FOR SIMILAR MONEY...

2002 02 Vauxhall Zafira 2.0 DTi Club
2003 03 Renault Mégane Scénic 1.9 dCi 2001 51 Citroën Xsara Picasso 2.0HDi
2003 03 Nissan Almera Tino 2.2Di SE
2004 53 Mitsubishi Space Star 1.9 DI-D

VALUES



2.0 GXi diesel 5-seater is worth about £300 less than equivalent GXE 7-seater. Source: estimates based on confidential CAP black book prices. ‘Trade’ is what a dealer would pay to buy your car; ‘Retail’ is what you would pay a dealer