MPV’s | Motornet.ie

Make:

MPV’s

Tuesday, April 04, 2006

The best buys and the ones to avoid for the MPV market in 2006....

The Best

OUR PICK

Toyota Corolla Verso
The first Corolla Verso simply wasn’t doing the business for Toyota, so rather than flog it to the bitter end, they killed it off early and replaced it with a clean-sheet design.

Toyota obviously learned from their mistakes because they went from also-ran to fore-runner overnight.

The new Verso packs five flat-folding rear seats, which means any seating configuration is possible without having to lug chairs around or leave them for the dog to pee on in the garage.

In addition, Toyota have loaded the Corolla Verso with all the necessary toys: trip computer, stereo controls on the steering, 16-inch steel wheels and a competitive 110 bhp, 1.6-litre engine with an entry-level price of €26,995 in Terra trim.

We can’t emphasise enough, however, how much happier you and the family will be in the air-conditioned €28,635 Luna model.

The air-conditioned, 116 bhp, 2.0-litre D4-D Luna is competitively priced at €32,635 but be warned that the big engine size will cause it to depreciate more heavily than you might expect.

Renault Scenic
Renault has an unusual knack for knowing just what MPV buyers like.

Carting the family around isn’t fun, but they make it as painless and interesting as possible.

Note the Central dials, more under-floor storage, two different length models to choose from with five or seven seats and even an electric handbrake.

The chassis isn’t set up for kicks but it is comfortable and refined.

Avoid the 1.4-litre engine in the Scenic because it’s underpowered and everyone will want the 115 bhp 1.6-litre come trade-in-time anyway.

You also want to make sure you get an air-conditioned model because four or five bodies in an enclosed space on a muggy day will end in sweat and tears – most likely yours.

Best petrol Scenic is the Sport model for €27,120 while the 86 bhp, 1.5 dCi diesel for €28,075 is an even better buy.

If you need seven seats, our favourite petrol Grand Scenic is the 1.6 Sport for €28,220 or the 1.6 Dynamique with climate control and no sunroof for €28,730.

The €30,695, 106 bhp 1.5 dCi Grand Scenic Sport is the pick of the entire range.

Ford Focus C-Max
The Focus C-Max only has five seats, admittedly, and those seats don’t really do anything as impressive as the Corolla Verso’s (The rear bench can be changed into two adult-sized seats and slid boot-ward to generate a heap of rear legroom) but it’s still hard not to recommend the C-Max.

For a small MPV it drives with incredible vim.

It’s more like a big hatch, particularly in sporty Zetec trim.

It’s also rather handsome, which is quite a feat for such an upright shape, while the quality of the interior is also remarkable for a mainstream Ford.

The range has been revised for 2006, with the 100 bhp, 1.6-litre Activa model representing fantastic value at €23,470 including air conditioning and 16-inch alloy wheels (The LX is €600 less but has no A/C or alloys).

The 1.6 TDCi is a favourite engine and in Activa trim for €25,340, it’s still a good buy.

However, a thousand more gets you the 1.8 TDCi with 25 more bhp (115 bhp vs 90 bhp in the 1.6) and we think it’s well worth the extra dosh.

The 136 bhp, 2.0-litre TDCi Ghia is a superb machine and loaded with equipment, but steep at €32,945.

Mazda5
So far there’s only one model on sale in Ireland, the seven-seater 1.8-litre petrol Touring model.

Quite why Mazda don’t borrow Ford’s 1.6-litre diesel (Ford does own most of Mazda, after all) I don’t know, but even though the engine range is limited you really should take a look at the Mazda5.

The interior is modern and well appointed with a simple-to-use dashboard and an excellent driving position.

Three individual second-row seats fold flat into the floor, as do the surprisingly spacious rearmost seats.

It’s also rather nice to drive and boasts the usual reliability you come to expect from Mazda.

Its best attribute, though, is its price.

Your €26,950 buys you seven seats, air conditioning, four electric windows, remote locking, a leather steering wheel with audio controls, a CD player, alloy wheels and that 115 bhp 1.8-litre engine.

There may only be one, but it’s a good one.

Opel Zafira
The first Zafira led the way in seven-seat accommodation and the new model is no less accomplished.

It offers an even better folding seat arrangement and better dynamics than before, while the styling is sexier and the driving environment is top notch.

All in all, Opel are on to a winner with the new Zafira and even though competition has closed in on the Zafira, it’s still a great buy.

The entry-level €25,745 Zafira ‘Life’ is tempting but without air conditioning we wouldn’t recommend it.

A better buy is the Life A/C model, which is as well equipped as anyone could realistically need, with air-conditioning, remote locking, electric windows and a powerful 105 bhp 1.6-litre engine.

The diesel range is limited to a single slightly too-big engine, though.

The 120 bhp 1.9 CDTi is arguably the best engine in the range, offering good economy but also plenty of power and torque to haul a full load around, but in Life A/C trim it costs €30,995.

You can have a 140 bhp, 1.8-litre petrol Life A/C model for three-and-a-half-grand less.

If money’s no object or you have to trade in your 3-Series for an MPV, you might consider the €35,995 SRI model, which is powered by a 2.0-litre Turbo engine that produces 200 bhp.

Sports seats and 17-inch alloy wheels are standard.

A more fun way to do the school run, I can’t think of.

The Rest

Seat Altea- Looking good and driving well is all fine and dandy, but where’s the practicality? Family buyers don’t want Latin flair. They want storage space.

VW Touran – Five or seven-seater Golf-based MPV is a fine effort, just a bit predictable and not cheap when you factor in lower models don’t have A/C

Opel Meriva – Cute looking with a clever rear seat arrangement makes it the perfect supermini MPV for those who regularly carry four adults.

Renault Espace/Grand Espace – The original is still the most appealing and well appointed of the big MPVs, provided big price doesn’t worry you

Renault Modus – Gimmicky Mini-style boot-lid aside, the Modus is as cuddly a supermini MPV as you’ll find anywhere. Rear seats not clever enough, though.

Fiat Multipla – Six-seats and room for luggage but it’s a wide thing and while the looks have gone conservative, the dash is as haphazard as ever.

VW Sharan/Seat Alhambra – These aging MPVs used to own the segment, which is now suddenly swamped by talented newcomers. Still great cars, but get a discount.

Ford Galaxy – All new Galaxy won’t be shared with VW or Seat. It’s due in 2006 so hold out until then – we expect it to be good.

Ford S-Max – Smaller and more agile than the all-new Galaxy, but sporty to drive and better even more aggressive looking too.

Fiat Ulysse/Citroen C8/Peugoet 807 – Not as nice to drive or as well made as the Ford/VW/Seat MPVs but acceptable big-family transport nonetheless.

Peugeot 307 SW – Fine looking and great to drive, but a little too cramped compared to more spacious and equally fun rivals now. Getting old, too.

Chrysler Voyager – It’s big but expensive and has a shabby interior considering the cost. Makes sense in America, but not in Ireland.

Citroen Picasso – Old but spacious and heavily discounted making them cheap family wheels. Resale values not great, though.

Honda Stream – A credible Megane Scenic rival that suffers from a limited engine range and unimaginative styling.

Honda FR-V – We like the funky styling inside and out but with only one engine and no seven-seat variant, can’t help but wonder what the point of it is?

Avoid

VW Golf Plus – A golf but a bit taller. Yes, that’s what the world needs.

Toyota Yaris Verso – Quite why anyone would need a big box attached to the back of a Yaris I can’t imagine?

Toyota Avensis Verso – It might have made sense before the Corolla Verso came along. It’s big and a Toyota, but lacks sparkle.

Toyota Previa – Big and spacious, and Toyota put some effort into the styling, but ten grand more than its own Avensis Verso, which drives better.

Chevrolet Tacoma – Weird looking with a single engine and trim level. It’s like they’re not even trying to sell it.

Ssangyong Rodius – So ugly that it’s own mother turned it away. Ancient Mercedes mechanicals make things even worse.

Daihatsu YRV – Slow, ugly and cheaply finished, the YRV is hopelessly bad. Your gran might love it, but that’s about it.

Chrysler PT Cruiser – The PT Cruiser was one of the first small MPVs but odd looks, poor engine range and high price meant it never took off.

Ford Fusion – Scarcely more practical than a Fiesta but more expensive and less fun to drive. Ugly, too.

Fiat Idea – Cynical and poorly executed attempt to cash in on mini-MPV craze. It’s so dull I couldn’t even be bothered making a pun on its silly name.

Hyundai Matrix – A dull interpretation of the mini-MPV that arrived early but was overtaken by just about everything else in terms of desirability.

Mercedes Vaneo – Wilfully ugly MPV dies this year as Mercedes gets a clue and realises the A-Class 5-door already IS a mini-MPV

Mitsubishi Space Star – Curiously, it’s utterly devoid of space and only comes with a 1.3-litre engine. Old and cheap.

Mitsubishi Grandis – Large and mean looking but the single engine and transmission choice couldn’t be worse suited to Ireland.

Hyundai Trajet – Grim, underpowered seven-seater with little to recommend it beyond being cheap.

Kia Carens – The humdrum looks and passionless execution of a full-size MPV with none of the practicality.

Kia Sedona – All new model is due here shortly and given how much better Kia’s newer offerings are, we have high hopes.