Mazda Biante engine is a Skyactiv unit that promises 13.5km/L, but we only managed 8km/L.
Fortunately, the Biante makes up for this shortcoming by delivering a ride that’s nothing short of magical. To say that it is smooth would be an understatement, for the car moves so well that if you didn’t check the technical specifications, you’d swear that this MPV had air suspension.
Pockmarked tarmac doesn’t faze the dampers, and even those irritating metal speed bumps seem buttery instead of rock-hard. Amazingly, the Biante glides over imperfections without wallowing or being overly soft. One wonders why Mazda couldn’t endow the 5 and 8 models with the same ride quality.
The well-tuned suspension is also great at cancelling out any feeling of top-heaviness expected from a vehicle this tall. This increases the driver’s confidence, because you never feel as if you’re about to topple over when turning a corner.
Complementing the Biante’s relaxed ride is its equally unhurried Skyactiv powerplant. The naturally aspirated 2-litre engine is rated at a decent 151bhp and 190Nm, but because these figures are only produced at 6000rpm and 4100rpm respectively, sporting performance is not this MPV’s strong point. Mazda says it will take 12.7 seconds for the Biante to go from zero to 100km/h, but it always feels longer than that.
For family men in a perpetual rush, there are paddles and tabs on the steering wheel that allow you to manually override the 6-speed automatic gearbox. This feature, however, is limited in its convenience, as the transmission immediately reverts to its default programme after a few seconds.
On a positive note, the motor does go about its business in a refined manner. The unit is vibration-free at idle, and the good sound insulation means you don’t really hear its strained vocals if you push it hard. Mazda’s stop-start function, i-Stop, is also commendably unobtrusive.
The only evidence of the engine being switched off when you come to a halt is the cabin suddenly becoming warm, because the air-conditioner’s compressor is shut down. But even when the engine is restarted (once you lift your foot from the brake pedal), there’s nary a shudder.
Like a magician, the Biante is certainly full of tricks. But we’re happy to report that none of them are illusions, for this MPV’s abilities are very real.
2014 Mazda Biante 2.0 (A)
ENGINE 1998cc, 16-valves, inline-4
MAX POWER 151bhp at 6000rpm
MAX TORQUE 190Nm at 4100rpm
POWER TO WEIGHT 90.7bhp per tonne
GEARBOX 6-speed automatic with manual select
0-100KM/H 12.7 seconds
TOP SPEED 200km/h
CONSUMPTION 13.5km/L (combined)
CO2 EMISSION 174g/km
Click here to read our review of the Renault Grand Scenic, an award-winning seven-seater MPV
Click here to read our review of the luxurious Toyota Alphard
