The MPV or multi-purpose vehicle really took off in the 1990s and 2000s, offering lots of seats for the family while retaining more affordable running costs for everyday life.
However, in the past decade, this segment has started to dwindle and with crossovers and SUVs starting to take their position, is it a case that the MPV is now dead and will be consigned to the history books?
Well, if you look at the new car market, there is still a sufficient amount of choice for those who are looking for a vehicle that has a greater number of seats without having that jacked-up SUV look.
We’ve compiled a list of MPVs that are worth taking note of if you’re thinking of buying one of these family-friendly vehicles.
Dacia Jogger
One of the best and most affordable cars on this list is Dacia’s Jogger. The budget Romanian sub-brand of Renault really has struck gold with this car as it offers seven seats with an extremely low price tag of under £19,000.
You can purchase the Jogger with a hybrid powertrain to make its running costs even lower and the space on offer is simply cavernous – fold the seats down and you get an enormous 1,807 litres of boot room. It may not have the quality or the best fit and finish as some cars on this list, but make no bones about it, the Jogger represents exceptional value for money.
Citroen Berlingo
Another car that demonstrates you don’t have to fork out lots of cash to get lots of space and low running costs is Citroen’s very popular Berlingo. Believe it or not, this French van has been around for almost 30 years. However, that doesn’t put people off it because, just like the Jogger, the Berlingo has value on its side with prices starting at £23,250. There is a choice of petrol, diesel and an electric variant badged ‘e-Berlingo’ and the space you get on offer (depending on which variant you go for) is vast with a total of 3,500 litres of luggage room making it one of the best cars in its class for luggage capacity.
The only issue with the Berlingo is its lack of refinement at speeds and it does look like a van – though that’s essentially what it is.
Lexus LM
Moving away from the budget end of the MPV class, right to the very top and Lexus’ LM is essentially a private jet on wheels. With a standard hybrid powertrain, the LM still utilises the firm’s very frugal petrol-electric setup for maximum efficiency, but this car is all about its interior and getting you to your destination in an effortless and relaxing way.
There’s the choice of seven or four-seater configurations, if you go for the latter version you get two reclining armchairs with heated, cooled, ventilated and seven-way massaging functions. There is a 48-inch ultrawide TV screen where you can hook up your mobile phone, plus there is a fridge, endless storage space, picnic tables, electronic sunblinds and two glass sunroofs.
The LM is more of an MPV for VIPs and a vehicle to be driven in, but it’s still classed as a multi-purpose vehicle nonetheless. The 2.5-litre petrol engine mated to an electric motor won’t set the world alight with its performance and with prices starting at £90,030 for the base-level car, it’s not exactly cheap. If you can afford it, however, there really is nothing else like the LM out on the road.
Volkswagen ID.Buzz
The retro-styled ID.Buzz harks back to the original camper van from 1950 with its larger front headlamps and boxy design.
Volkswagen is focusing towards a sustainable future with its electric vehicles and the ID.Buzz is by far and away the funkiest and freshest model created for its new era. It comes with a 77kWh battery pack that the German firm claims can travel up to 291 miles between charges, plus now there is the option of a long-wheelbase version that offers seven seats making this cool and quirky MPV even more practical.
BMW 2 Series Active Tourer
BMW’s 2 Series Active Tourer went on sale back in 2014 and was the first BMW to utilise a front-wheel-drive setup.
Don’t let that put you off, though. The 2 Series Active Tourer is one of the only models on this list that feels more car-like to drive and is available with a plug-in hybrid setup. The interior of this BMW has a high-quality feel and even though this latest version is only now available with five seats, it’s still very practical with lots of space for occupants and the boot capacity stands at a rather healthy 415 litres with the seats in place or 1,370 litres with the seats folded down. One warning though, if you opt for the plug-in hybrid variant, its boot space drops from 415 litres to 406 litres.
