Best MPV 2022
.jpg)
MPVs may not be quite as popular as they once were, mainly due to the unstoppable rise of the SUV, but smart families know there’s still little to beat a well-developed people carrier for sheer practicality.
A multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) is inherently a more space-efficient vehicle than an SUV. Because there’s no need to cross muddy ground or climb up slippery hillsides, they can do without the all-wheel-drive hardware and extra ground clearance – and give this space over to passengers instead.
That’s why many MPVs are available in seven-seat guise, making them even more multi-purpose. And even the five-seaters are generally far more flexible, with configurable seating options and roomy boots.
MPVs are good value for money, economical to run and can turn their hand to any of the surprises a busy family life throws up, usually with more than ample space to spare. Here is our guide to 10 of the best.
.jpg)
Volkswagen Touran
The Volkswagen Touran is an uncommonly well-honed MPV. It has seven seats across three rows, and even the rearmost row is surprisingly accommodating. They fold flat into the floor when not needed, boosting boot space from a compact 137 litres to a vast 743 litres. This still leaves three comfortable middle-row seats – and each is the same size, with the same sort of adjustability, meaning the person in the middle won’t feel quite so hard done by. Up front, a typically logical Volkswagen dashboard is easy to use and well-constructed, while a sensible range of efficient turbocharged petrol engines all provide enough pulling power without using excessive fuel in the process.
Dacia Jogger
The Dacia Jogger is a really novel new type of MPV. It’s effectively a cross between an estate car, a crossover SUV and an MPV, with a distinctive profile, rugged body cladding and youthful appearance. It has three rows of seats inside, and the compact but still useful third row can be folded down or removed entirely. For five people, it offers good passenger space and a huge boot, while those in the rear will like how they sit higher than the people in front. The best bit about the Jogger is the pricing, which starts from less than £15,000. That buys a decent amount of equipment and a 1.0-litre turbo engine. A perfectly practical MPV for families on a budget.
.jpg)
BMW 2 Series Active Tourer
The BMW 2 Series Active Tourer is a strikingly styled five-seat MPV that has more than a hint of crossover SUV about it. The visual link to BMW’s distinctive range-toppers, such as the electric iX, is clear. It’s welcoming on the inside too, with a beautiful dashboard that looks high-quality and is really tactile. The array of distinct trim options is luxury-level. Rear-seat passengers are treated well, with multi-adjustable seats that are just as supportive as those in the front, and the kudos of being driven in a modern BMW will surely appeal. The engines are efficient and powerful, and you can also choose a plug-in hybrid version with an electric range of almost 30 miles.
.jpg)
Mercedes-Benz B-Class
The B-Class is the more practical alternative to the strong-selling Mercedes-Benz A-Class, for families who need the extra space. It is taller than the A-Class, and this delivers a much roomier feel inside, with an abundance of headroom. Rear-seat legroom is also improved. The seats are comfortable and the airy feel is enhanced by high-quality trims and Mercedes’ spectacular MBUX infotainment system, which has an array of screens to serve up high-tech features. You can also buy a plug-in hybrid B-Class with an impressive EV range of more than 40 miles. All drive with the secure confidence you’d expect of a Mercedes-Benz, and are definitely built to last.
Peugeot 5008
The Peugeot 5008 is the more practical seven-seat alternative to the well-liked 3008 SUV. It has a boxier, more squared-off rear end, but is identical ahead of the middle-row seats. The advantage of this rear extension is the ability to add an extra row of seats, which individually fold flat into the boot floor to give five-seat luggage space of 952 litres – a truly mammoth total. The space needed for the third-row seats does mean you can’t get a plug-in hybrid 5008, but the efficient 1.2-litre turbo engine is perfectly fine, with a diesel available for those who want better economy. Thanks to a recent facelift, the 5008 looks as distinctive as ever, and the aircraft cockpit-style interior remains engaging.
Citroen Grand C4 Spacetourer
Another classic people carrier, the Citroen Grand C4 Spacetourer is one of the last of the breed. It remains on sale to offer loyal buyers all the famed strengths of the best MPVs: a roomy and practical interior, ultra-comfortable seats for seven people, plus the sort of multi-configurable flexibility you normally associate with Swiss army knives. Each middle-row seat slides individually and legroom is vast, while pop-up seatback tables add to the aircraft feel. Up front, the dashboard has a space-age feel, and brilliant visibility will make you feel like you’re in space, such is the panoramic view forwards.
Vauxhall Combo-e Life
Vauxhall no longer sells a conventional people carrier, with the large Combo-e Life serving the MPV role instead. Because it’s based on a van, interior space is exceptional, seating seven people with ease. There’s space to spare even in the third row, particularly if you choose the long-wheelbase version. Occupants enjoy overhead stowage space, like in an aircraft, and sliding rear doors add to the practicality. Now offered purely as an EV, the Combo-e Life has a 136hp motor and a 50kWh battery for a driving range of around 175 miles. It can also use public rapid chargers, topping up the battery to 80 percent capacity in around half an hour.
.jpg)
Ford S-Max
The Ford S-Max was a bit of a landmark car. Thanks to its sleek styling and sporty nature, the first generation S-Max was a machine that actually tempted company car drivers out of their BMWs. This second generation version added to the appeal with greater tactility and more interior gadgets. It still drives really well, with an uncommonly sporty feel for a seven-seater MPV. The latest hybrid engine tech helps save fuel too, making it particularly efficient in everyday driving around town. It won’t be around forever but if you’re looking for a well-priced Ford MPV with the ability to put a smile on the face of everyone onboard, look no further.
.jpg)
Ford Galaxy
If you’re seeking a seven-seat Ford with plenty of space for everyone on board, you need to peel your eyes away from the sleek S-Max and look to the Galaxy instead. It is a boxier, more upright design, but this means there’s far more space for passengers in the third row, while everyone will get a better sense of roominess thanks to the bigger windows and glassier feel. The boot is a more practical 300 litres, even in seven-seat mode, and it expands to a brilliant 1,301 litres in five-seat guise. The hybrid engine tech keeps running costs in-check and the Galaxy is particularly well-equipped, with lots of gadgets for those on board.
Tesla Model Y
The Tesla Model Y is a pure electric car with the option of seven seats. We’re including it here simply because it’s proving such a popular car in the UK. Ostensibly an SUV version of the Model 3 saloon, the higher roofline and more practical hatchback boot are what set the Y apart. It’s roomier inside, and although seven-seat capacity is a bit of a squeeze, the boot is enormous in five-seat mode. Up front, the pared-back dashboard is focused around the famous Tesla infotainment system, which is constantly being updated, while an electric driving range of well over 300 miles is combined with the unbeatable Tesla Supercharger network. This makes longer journeys less stressful than in any other EV.
Can you get an MPV that seats more than seven?
Seven seats is the norm for three-row MPVs, but there are some that offer eight seats. The Vauxhall Vivaro-e Life is one such vehicle, while you can get an eight-seat Land Rover Defender 110 by taking up the three-abreast front-seat option. These days, manufacturers prefer to cap seating capacity to seven in the interests of safety, while limited customer demand means it’s not generally in their interest to offer vehicles that seat more people, either.
Which is the cheapest MPV?
The cheapest MPV on sale, by a clear margin, is the Dacia Jogger. This value-priced seven-seater is incredibly affordable, with prices starting from less than £15,000, which means similarly attractive monthly payments. There’s little to match it – you can get a top-spec Jogger for less than the cheapest seven-seat alternative. Dacia expects it to prove very popular among value-seeking families who want maximum bang for their buck, particularly as it's likely to prove cheap to run, too.
Which is the biggest MPV?
The Ford Galaxy is a bit of a rarity these days: a large-format seven-seat MPV, with a boxy silhouette and raised roof giving loads of room across all three rows. This is why it’s so popular with executive taxi companies, and also with larger families who want the ability to pack everyone in without squabbles about who sits where. The extra space means a more voluminous boot even when all seven seats are in use, and vast space as you begin to individually fold them all flat.
