Review of the Volkswagen Golf SV (2014–2020)
Price based on Test ScoreShow Context £7,805 69%
key attributes
MPVs only use gasoline, diesel, and mild hybrids
Volkswagen Golf SV
Volkswagen Golf SV
Verdict on comparison: A Golf with useful additional functionality
The Golf SV excels at practicality because to its high roof and boxy shape. However, unlike some MPVs, this isn’t a van with windows; it’s also cosy and equipped with all the standard amenities. However, it lacks some of the responsive handling of the standard Golf hatchback and its interior design isn’t as innovative as other competitors.
Positives Large cabin
Large boot Comfy Safe Drawbacks
Not as adaptable as some MPV competitors
Review of the Toyota Verso (2009–2018)
Price based on Test ScoreShow Context £4,473 69%
key attributes
MPVs only use gasoline, diesel, and mild hybrids
Toyota Verso
Toyota Verso
Verdict: Reliable, flexible all-arounder
Versatile in nature, versatile in name: The Toyota MPV is a very useful vehicle, but it has questionable credentials as a true seven-seater. The Verso has a sizable, thoughtfully designed baggage space. It has reasonable levels of comfort and stability, is safe to drive, and has an elegant, if somewhat dreary, interior.
Pros
fully prepared
Safe, versatile boots
Cons: It’s comfortable to drive
As a seven-seater, marginal
emaciated gasoline engines
unpleasant cabin plastics
Review of the Mercedes-Benz B-Class Plug-in Hybrid (2020-)
Price from Test ScoreShow Context £35,111 69%
key attributes
newly accessible plug-in hybrid MPV (PHEV)
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz
Verdict on comparison: Both practical and cost-effective
The B-class Plug-In Hybrid may appear to be a bit dowdy MPV, but it definitely isn’t. Low operating expenses are made possible by the plug-in hybrid power system, particularly if you travel only short distances. This car is a fantastic choice for a family because it has a spacious interior and a top-notch cabin.
Pros
exemplary performance
Large passenger capacity Very safe Negatives
short EV range
pricey to acquire
intricate controls
Review of the Seat Alhambra (2010-2020)
Price based on Test Score: £5,776Show Context 68%
key attributes
MPVs only use gasoline, diesel, and mild hybrids
Seat Alhambra
Seat Alhambra
Verdict on comparison: incredibly useful full-size MPV
The Alhambra is highly practical, with flexible and easy-to-use rear seats and a substantial load capacity. With the exception of the weak 115bhp 2.0 TDI diesel, most engines are capable of towing such a hefty vehicle around, making it a really enjoyable MPV to drive.
Pros
extremely large
firmly constructed
Low-cost engines Cons
The 115bhp diesel is awkward to drive and slow.
reliability issues Ford Galaxy review (2006-2015)
Price based on Test ScoreShow Context £2,769 68%
key attributes
MPVs only use gasoline, diesel, and mild hybrids
Ford
For
Conclusion: Huge and incredibly useful
For ordinary family use, this full-sized MPV should provide all the room and versatility required. Large boot capacity and greater mobility than the S-Max are also advantages. The high-sided body has a slight but not significant impact on driving stability. This is a Which? Top Shop.
Pros
extremely large
Flexible interior Excellent value for money Reliability for 3 to 8 years Drawbacks
sluggish engines
small trunk with seven seats in place
Review of the Volkswagen Sharan (2010-2021)
Price based on Test ScoreShow Context £6,396 68%
key attributes
New MPVs are available in petrol, diesel, and mild hybrid.
Volkswagen
Volkswagen
Verdict in comparison: incredibly useful seven-seat MPV
Despite having outdated looks, the Sharan is nevertheless a capable and cosy large MPV. Few vehicles provide this much passenger capacity, so the Sharan is worthy of careful consideration if that’s your top priority. We do not recommend diesel versions of this automobile because many VW Group diesel engines produced from 2009 to 2015 may be more polluting than they were claimed to be and there is a chance that recalls will occur. According to VW, all affected new cars have been taken off the market, and Euro 6 engines are in compliance with the law.
Pros\sWell-equipped
a large cabin
Comfortable sliding doors
Cons
Feels a little flat
Some engines seem to lack power.
Not the most thrilling vehicle to drive is the Volkswagen Touran (2003-2015).
Price based on Test Score £1,426 Show Context 68%
key attributes
MPVs only use gasoline, diesel, and mild hybrids
Volkswagen Touran
Volkswagen Touran
age-related verdict: very adaptable
Inside, the Touran is highly functional. It is an excellent cargo lugger and can easily seat up to four adults and three children when equipped with seven seats. Despite the fact that it is worth choosing one of the more powerful engines, it feels safe and comfortable to drive. The interior design, cockpit arrangement, and build quality are all excellent.
Pros\sSafe\sPractical
Flexible interior design Powerful diesel engines
Economical\sCons
Entry-level models come with few features.
Now that it is older,
Review of the Vauxhall Zafira Tourer (2012–2018)
Price based on Test ScoreShow Context £4,573 68%
key attributes
MPVs only use gasoline, diesel, and mild hybrids
Vauxhall Zafira
Vauxhall Zafira
Conclusion in comparison: Excellent MPV
This is a big MPV with a tonne of space for both people and baggage as well as incredibly adaptable seating for up to seven passengers. In addition, driving it is a really spectacular experience. Overall, this family MPV has a lot of credibility.
Pros
roomy for both passengers and luggage
functional cabin with a premium feel
Pros of driving
Poor rear visibility
With all seven seats occupied, the boot has little room.
Review of the Kia Carens (2013–2019)
Price based on Test Score: £7,071 Show Context: 67%
key attributes
MPVs only use gasoline, diesel, and mild hybrids
Kia
Kia
Verdict on comparison: Good but not inexpensive
The 2013 Carens has been enhanced all around, not just cosmetically. Although it is not as inexpensive as it once was and is neither the most economical nor the most energetic vehicle in its class, it is roomy, useful, and well-equipped.
Pros
Five spacious seats
Two extra as a standard; fashionable
Cons
Not the most affordable
More expensive than before assessment of the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer (2014-2021)
Price based on Test ScoreShow Context £29,796 66%
key attributes
MPVs only use gasoline, diesel, and mild hybrids
BMW 2
BMW 2
Verdict in comparison: A classy, upscale MPV
This vehicle is quite functional for five passengers and their luggage, and the inside has a high-end feel. Although a little hard over bumps, it is also enjoyable to drive for an MPV. If you can accept the Active Tourer’s premium pricing, the availability of BMW’s xDrive 4×4 system gives it a viable option to SUV crossovers like the Nissan Qashqai. However, a tested petrol model’s high CO emissions raise questions.
Positives Roomy sliding back seats increase legroom
Safe and enjoyable to drive
more expensive than many rivals
clumsy manual transmission
Review of the Toyota Prius Plus (2012–2019)
Price based on Test ScoreShow Context £8,528 73%
key attributes
MPV Is Only Used
entire hybrid
Toyota
Toyota
Verdict in comparison: an effective seven-seat hybrid
This is a good all-around MPV. The majority of buyers won’t be looking for a Prius+ for its driving performance, which is fortunate considering how slow it is and how poorly it handled our avoidance manoeuvre test. However, this is a comfortable car with plenty of interior space and the potential for extremely low operating costs.
Pros
Roomy seven-seater cabin
low taxes and emissions
a smooth ride.
Cons
High cost
When accelerating, it can become noisy.
Poor cornering skills.
Review of the Ford Galaxy (2015–2021)
Price based on Test ScoreShow Context £32,424 72
key attributes
MPVs only use gasoline, diesel, and mild hybrids
Ford Galaxy
Ford Galaxy
Verdict on comparison: The full MPV package
As full an MPV as it is possible to get is the brand-new Ford Galaxy. It is impressive in every way, including its quality, adaptability, and driving performance. It is all the more regrettable that it failed to perform well in our lab testing due to its extremely high NOX emissions, which prevented it from receiving a Best Buy rating.
Pros
ride refinement and comfort
accommodating seven adults
Comfortable seat-folding configuration
Costly list price
elevated NOX emissions throughout our experiments
Review of the Renault Grand Scenic (2009–2016)
Price based on Test ScoreShow Context £2,714 71%
key attributes
MPVs only use gasoline, diesel, and mild hybrids
Renault Grand Scenic
Renault Grand Scenic
Compared judgement: a roomy seven-seater
One of the best seven-seat alternatives available right now is the Grand Scénic. It has a powerful selection of engines, a high degree of safety and comfort equipment, and a lot of interior room and cargo capacity. Unfortunately, operating costs are significant, and our testing showed that the newest diesel model has substantial NOx emissions.
Pros
Big cabin
Seven seats, a big boot, and poor safety
Not very cost-effective
Not very comfortable seats
Recent diesel Ford S-Max (2015-2021) review: high emissions
Price based on Test ScoreShow Context £31,807 71%
key attributes
MPVs only use gasoline, diesel, and mild hybrids
Ford S-Max
Ford S-Max
Great for families and drivers, in comparison
The S-Max is a great all-arounder since it is almost as roomy and useful inside as its Galaxy sibling vehicle while also being just as sporty to drive as many hatchbacks. This is a Which? Top Shop.
Benefits: Room for seven
very refined
Pleasant to drive Cons
pricey to acquire
There are several underpowered engines.
Review of the Volkswagen Touran (2015-)
Price based on Test ScoreShow Context £28,099 71%
key attributes
New MPVs are available in petrol, diesel, and mild hybrid.
Volkswagen Touran (2015-)
Volkswagen Touran (2015-)
Conclusion in comparison: Still want that SUV?
The VW Touran excels in practicality if you value it. The Touran reminds you why MPVs are perfect for families despite their general decline in favour over time: it’s incredibly large, versatile, and wonderful for kids. It drives nicely as well; it’s kind of like a seven-seater VW Golf.
Pros
Cabin and boot are incredibly roomy Comfortable
powerful engines
Cons
Pricey
very little room for luggage in a seven-seater
Review of the Ford B-Max (2012–2017)
Price based on Test ScoreShow Context: £5,279 70%
key attributes
MPVs only use gasoline, diesel, and mild hybrids
Ford B-Max
Ford B-Max
Conclusion in comparison: Small, beautifully constructed, and roomy
The pièce-de-résistance of the B-Max are the sliding rear doors, which are fantastic for families that frequently need to buckle kids into car seats. The B-Max is a remarkable little MPV to drive thanks to a variety of powerful engines, a comfortable ride, and precise steering (all carried over from the Fiesta).
Pros
very simple to enter and exit
giant boot
powerful engines
Cons
Back seats don’t move
hefty back doors
Review of the Hyundai ix20 (2010–2019)
Price based on Test ScoreShow Context 70% $4,012
key attributes
MPVs only use gasoline, diesel, and mild hybrids
Hyundai ix20
Hyundai ix20
Comparison conclusion: Spacious but not cost-effective
The ix20 is remarkably practical for a vehicle of its size. Despite appearing to have shrunk a little after the 2015 redesign, passengers will still be comfortable, and the boot is enormous. Although we discovered fuel usage to be somewhat off official values, it was still a Which? Top Shop.
Pros
a large amount of passenger boot space
Flexible design Reliable Drawbacks
a poor fuel economy
restricted rear visibility Facelift version’s smaller boot
Review of the Ford S-Max (2006-2014)
Price based on Test ScoreShow Context: £2,936 70%
key attributes
MPVs only use gasoline, diesel, and mild hybrids
Ford S-Max
Ford S-Max
Verdict compared: a satisfying but imperfect MPV
There are many areas where the S-Max excels where other MPVs fall short. Although it has a little less capacity and adaptability than the larger Ford Galaxy, the S-Max is a sportier vehicle to drive. It still has more space in the first and second rows than the majority of competitors, though.
Pros
excellent driving in an MPV
a smooth ride
a nice cottage Cons
retracted back seats
low visibility in the rear
Review of the 2011–2013 Toyota Verso-S
Price based on Test ScoreShow Context 70% $4,413
key attributes
MPVs only use gasoline, diesel, and mild hybrids
Toyota Verso-S
Toyota Verso-S
Verdict on the comparison: A tiny MPV with lots of utility
Despite having a tonne of practical appeal, the Verso-S has been mostly ignored on the market.
Pros
Simple to drive
Interior space is abundant Cons
unreliable engine
Euro NCAP rating absent
Review of the Mercedes-Benz B-Class (2019-)
Price based on Test ScoreShow Context £27,206 69%
key attributes
New MPVs are available in petrol, diesel, and mild hybrid.
Mercedes-Benz B-Class
Mercedes-Benz B-Class
Judgement contrast: High-tech family transportation
The B-class sits in the middle of a hatchback and an MPV, being the more practical, slightly dowdier sibling to the A-class. Even though the controls are a little difficult to understand, there is no doubt that the interior is spacious and the cabin looks and feels amazing. Overall, this is a fantastic family movie.
Pros
Big passenger space, pleasant cabin atmosphere
Active performance Very safe Drawbacks
pricey to acquire
expensive options
intricate controls
