If you take into account that most domestic models are offered with the option of all-wheel drive in Japan, it was only a matter of time before Mazda released an AWD version of its latest Premacy minivan, otherwise known as the new Mazda5 in overseas markets.

The 4WD Premacy is available in Japan in two trim levels, 20E and 20S, both of which are powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder petrol engine linked to an electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission. According to Mazda, the driver can select front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive mode with the push of a button.

The all-wheel drive variants of the Premacy MPV go on sale today with prices set at 2,109,000 Yen for the entry-level 20E and 2,314,000 Yen for the better equipped 20S.