Six of the best: MPVs
.JPG "Need lots of seats and lots of space? Read our exclusive round-up of the six best people carriers in show rooms now.")
 The latest Ford MPV is aimed at families who don’t want to sacrifice performance and image when the little ones are born 14 December 2007 Andy Goodwin sorts the wheat from the chaff and presents six of the best MPVs. Ford S-Max The latest Ford MPV is aimed at families who don’t want to sacrifice performance and image when the little ones are born. It does an excellent job – the engines are all punchy and the 2.5-litre turbo actually makes the S-Max pretty rapid. The handling is even better than the engines, making the S-Max fun to drive and surefooted. The cabin is well thought out for occupants and luggage and being a Ford, running costs are good value too as long as you avoid the thirsty 2.5 petrol. Auto Driven: Ford S-Max Citroen Grand Picasso Citroen is known for its design approach and the Grand Picasso is no different. Stand-out features include a huge panoramic sunroof (not standard on all trim levels) and 32 interior lights, which all contribute to the airy feel of the large cabin. Dials are replaced by computer read-outs in the centre of the dash and the handbrake takes the form of a button on the dash. Gear changes are taken care of by an automated manual which can be clunky at times. Auto Driven: Grand Picasso Vauxhall Zafira The Vauxhall Zafira was arguably the first stylish MPV which also provides the driver with a relatively spirited motoring experience, all while carrying as many as seven people. Its ingenious Flex7 seating system means the Zafira can be converted from a single seat, 1820-litre load lugger into a seven-seat people carrier in a matter of minutes. Auto Trader Ten Point Test: Vauxhall Zafira Mitsubishi Grandis The Grandis is a good looking MPV, with tapering lines which give it a sporty look hinting which this is not just a dull people carrier. Ride and handling is amazingly nippy for such a large vehicle and the diesel and petrol engine available both offer a decent turn of speed. The Grandis scored a respectable four stars in Euro-NCAP crash tests and has lots of extras as standard. Auto Trader Ten Point Test: Mitsubishi Grandis Seat The Seat Alhambra looks sporty and imposing, and its size marks it out as a fully fledged seven-seater. The Seat looks a little boxy compared to newer models from Ford and Citroen. The interior has aged better, with high quality materials and the well thought out storage space so important in a good MPV. Reliability is good and equipment levels are high. Auto Trader Ten Point Test: Seat Alhambra Kia Sedona The Kia Sedona scores highly in the practicality stakes, having a 2-3-2 seating layout, with each seat able to accommodate an adult. Fully laden there is a handy 364 litres of luggage space, but this can be expanded through a range of seating configurations up to nearly ten times this amount. The ride is smooth and perfect for motorway cruising. Auto Trader Ten Point Test: Kia Sedona |
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