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Compact minivans have been very popular in Europe and Japan for many years. Families have found them to be very useful for dealing with narrow streets, limited parking and high fuel prices. Import automakers’ attempts to bring these “space wagons” to U.S. shores in the early 1990s were largely unsuccessful, however, as Americans were more interested in modern SUVs.

However, with rising gas prices and some buyers looking to downsize from larger vehicles, Mazda has decided that a small minivan might again have a chance with U.S. consumers. The new Mazda 5 compact minivan is a low-priced Lilliputian hauler significantly smaller than other minivans on the market. But despite its slight stature, the six-passenger Mazda 5 compact is authentically minivan when it comes to amenities and value.

Twin sliding rear doors can be operated with the force of one finger. Second-row seats fold flat and recline. When both the second- and third-row seats are lowered, the Mazda 5 provides about 5 feet of load floor and a total of about 44 cubic feet of cargo room. For safety, front seat side airbags and full-length head-protecting side curtain airbags are standard.

There are many practical reasons for wanting to drive a vehicle such as the svelte, diminutive Mazda 5. It has all the amenities of a minivan without the bulk, and it fits neatly into compact parking and other tight spots without coveting thy neighbor’s space. For buyers who need affordable, fuel-efficient family transportation that doesn’t force them to give up expected conveniences, the equally space-efficient Mazda 5 also offers the sporty looks and handling that help it fit right in to any downsized or entry-level future.

The compact Mazda 5 minivan is available in three trim levels: Sport, Touring and Grand Touring. The Sport trim includes the basics: dual manual-sliding rear doors, 17-inch alloys, ABS, air-conditioning with cabin filtration, a CD stereo and fully powered accessories. Stepping up to the Touring model lets you enjoy all the usual, expected upgrades. The Grand Touring model adds luxurious leather-trimmed seating, HID xenon headlights and heated front seats, and Touring and Grand Touring models also offer a voice-controlled navigation system.

Inside, the Mazda 5 makes the most of its cabin space by adding clever storage units under the second-row seat cushions, while the third-row seats have a 50/50-split fold-down layout. All six seats have height-adjustable head restraints, and a stadium-style layout helps the back rows with visibility. Those in the second row will have plenty of legroom and headroom, but the third row is cramped and really suitable for small children only. Overall, we found the Mazda 5 best suited for new or smaller families. Our editors found its front seats fairly comfortable, but they don’t adjust back far enough for long-legged drivers.

Although it’s based on the Mazda 3 platform, the 5 is much larger and heavier — and we found that extra bulk tends to tax the 2.3-liter engine at times. It’s the same smooth, quick-revving all-aluminum DOHC 16-valve inline four-cylinder we’ve praised in the past, but it’s just not powerful enough to push the van around at higher speeds. However, it is comfortable, easy to drive and perfectly adequate for running errands around town.