The Mazda Biante is an eight-seat minivan introduced for the Japanese market in 2008. It replaced the Bongo Friendee and sat between the Premacy and the MPV in Mazda’s range, aimed at younger families with small children. Production ended in February 2018, when Mazda left the minivan market.
Mazda Biante at a glance
| Introduced | 2008, for Japan |
|---|---|
| Production ended | 23 February 2018 |
| Replaced | Mazda Bongo Friendee |
| Position | between the Premacy/Mazda 5 and the MPV |
| Seats | eight |
| Doors | sliding doors on both sides |
| Engines | 2.0 and 2.3-litre direct-injection petrol |
| Drive | front- or all-wheel drive |
| Skyactiv | 2.0 Skyactiv-G from May 2013, with six-speed automatic and front-wheel drive |
| Export | Indonesia from 2012, also Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Brunei |
History of the Mazda Biante
The Biante was introduced in Japan in 2008 as an eight-seater with one of the largest interiors in its class. Its name was coined from the English word ambient, to suggest a unified interior space. Inside, it had sliding doors on both sides, sliding seat rows, an allergy filter, a deodorising system in the headlining and liquid-repellent seat covers; outside, the design was dominated by large glass areas and headlamps that ran into the window line. The car was 4.72 m long and competed in Japan with the Nissan Serena and Toyota Isis.
Japanese grades were 20S, 20CS, 23S, 20C and Granz. The 20CS was the cheapest, similar to the 20C but with fewer fittings, and was the first to use Panasonic’s Nanoe ion filter; it was soon dropped. The 23S used the 2,260 cc engine, as did the 20S and 20CS, and came in Chili Orange Mica; it too was later withdrawn. The 20S was the original grade and gained the i-Stop system in 2009, later becoming Skyactiv-only. The 20C replaced the 20CS in 2010. The Granz appeared at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show with LED rear lamps, new chrome, a bigger grille and Panasonic’s Alleru allergy buster, effectively replacing the 23S at the top of the range.
In May 2013 Mazda added a Skyactiv-G 2.0 version in 20C, 20S and Granz grades. The original Biantes used a five-speed automatic with all-wheel drive, while the Skyactiv cars used the six-speed Skyactiv-Drive automatic with front-wheel drive. The Biante was launched outside Japan in Indonesia at the 2012 Indonesia International Motor Show, the first export market, and was also sold in Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Brunei; the Skyactiv version reached Indonesia at the 2013 show. In February 2016 Mazda announced that all minivan production would end within two years: the MPV/Mazda 8 finished in March 2016, and the Premacy/Mazda 5 and Biante on 23 February 2018.
Design and features
- Eight seats: one of the largest interiors in its class.
- Sliding doors: fitted on both sides for easy access.
- Comfort touches: Panasonic Nanoe ion filter, deodorising headlining and liquid-repellent seats.
- Skyactiv option: from 2013 with a 2.0 direct-injection engine and six-speed automatic.
Mazda Biante versions
- 20S (2008): original grade, i-Stop from 2009.
- 20CS and 20C: cheaper grades, the 20C replacing the 20CS in 2010.
- 23S (2008): 2,260 cc engine, Chili Orange Mica.
- Granz (2011): top grade with LED rear lamps and a larger grille.
- Skyactiv-G 2.0 (2013): six-speed automatic and front-wheel drive.
The Biante sat between the Mazda 5 and the Mazda MPV, and replaced the Bongo-based Friendee. More Mazdas are in the Mazda collection.
Sources
- Mazda Biante, English Wikipedia: grades, exports, discontinuation
- Mazda Biante, German Wikipedia: dimensions, engines, interior
- マツダ・ビアンテ, Japanese Wikipedia: Japanese model range
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