The most important differences between the old Pontiac and the Mazda5 center on the powertrain and chassis. While the Mazda5 is hardly a sports car, it may be the sportiest six-passenger vehicle on the market today. Handling is nimble and quick and almost makes you forget you have two rows of seats behind you.

Under the hood, Mazda's four-cylinder engine is far from the Pontiac's V8. Since it's one-third the size, you could be forgiven for thinking the Mazda engine would be a fraction of the ol' 455. You'd be wrong. Mazda pulls 157 horsepower from this 2.5L four, whereas the overburdened Pontiac generated only slightly more. With half a ton less mass to haul around, the Mazda5 is a bit sprightlier to drive. Top that off with the Mazda polluting less and using less than half the gas to get around, and suddenly this six-passenger car is making that classic Pontiac just look bad.

And then there are the features the Grandville didn't or couldn't offer in its day. Most obvious are the airbags to protect everyone in the vehicle, including front, side, and curtain airbags from front to rear.

A five-speed automatic transmission is standard on the front-wheel drive Mazda5. For those of us who like to row our own gears, Mazda offers a six-speed manual.

Six speakers broadcast the music from the standard AM/FM/CD/MP3 system with iPod capability and optional Sirius satellite radio. Even rear passengers can be entertained through an available DVD system.

It's definitely not the 1970s, and gas definitely doesn't cost 50 cents a gallon. Six-passenger cars like the Pontiac Grandville were ubiquitous at one time even if they only hauled a family of four. Today's families expect a bit more than two bench seats and a gas-guzzling boat anchor under the hood. For those looking for something less expensive than a standard "minivan" that's also just a touch more sporty, the Mazda5 fits the bill. Pontiac's image was sporty, and Mazda's image is similarly enthusiast-oriented. The Mazda5 addresses this orientation much better than the Grandville ever did, and it makes for a much better all-around car at the same time.

Pack up the kids and a pet or two, and enjoy the ride.

VITAL STATISTICS

Wheelbase: 108.3 inches
Length: 180.5 inches
Width: 68.9 inches
Height: 63.6 inches
Curb weight: 3,417 pounds
Engine: L4, 2,498-c.c. DOHC 16-valve
Horsepower: 157 @ 6,000 r.p.m.
Torque: 163 lb.-ft. @ 4,000 r.p.m.
EPA estimated m.p.g. city/highway: 21/28
Base price: $24,025
As-tested price: $25,265, including $795 destination
Also consider: Toyota Matrix, Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen, Dodge Grand Caravan