Best MPVs and people carriers

There was a time not all that long ago that if you needed a practical family car, an MPV was the default choice.

Standing for multi-purpose vehicles, and often referred to as people carriers, in the early 2000s, these cars were all the rage, with most mainstream manufacturers offering at least one variety of MPV, from compact cars right up to large seven-seaters.

But in recent years, the MPV market has dwindled as SUVs have gained dominance and become the new ‘default’. Often more expensive to buy and own than an MPV, they’re often not as spacious as a comparable people carrier.

With such few new MPVs now available to buy, the used market is now your best option, with vehicles in this class having plenty to offer. Let’s take a look at the best-used MPVs.

Volkswagen Touran

The Volkswagen Touran holds a fairly unique position as it’s one of the very few MPVs that you can still buy brand-new. But prices for new models are high and are approaching almost £40,000 for this seven-seater, so you’re better off turning to used vehicles instead.

Used examples start from as little as £2,000 for older examples, but we’d recommend a second-generation car where possible, introduced in 2015, which costs from around £9,000 for a high-mileage but well-maintained car. The Touran is fairly compact by MPV standards but offers a great deal of space and strong build quality.

BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer

Just because you want an MPV, it doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice desirability or badge appeal, as the BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer demonstrates. Sold between 2015 and 2022, it’s the first and only seven-seat MPV that BMW has ever made.

It’s one of the more enjoyable MPVs to drive while bringing the premium finish that this German firm is known for. There’s a good range of petrol and diesel engines available, too, but just be mindful of the firm suspension on the more stylish M Sport models. High mileage examples start from around £7,000.

Citroen Grand C4 Picasso

Citroen has long been a leader when it comes to MPVs, with its Grand C4 Picasso, later renamed to the Grand C4 Spacetourer, being an ideal choice for families. The ‘Grand’ in its name means it comes with seven seats as standard, while the large and airy interior is ideal for family life – standard features like tray tables and window blinds are perfect for family life as well.

Choose a second-generation Grand C4 Picasso, launched in 2014, and this MPV brings mode modern styling inside and out, along with a particularly comfortable ride. Just be aware that it doesn’t have the best reliability reputation, so it might be worth investing in a used car warranty. The cheapest examples start from around £5,000.

Ford S-Max

Ford has plenty of history when it comes to MPVs, from big to small. But it’s the middle-sized S-Max that gets our vote for managing to combine practicality with style and desirability. First introduced in 2006, it showed that people carriers could still have a sportier streak, with the S-Max offering plenty in the way of driver enjoyment, and some great engines under the bonnet.

While not as roomy as Ford’s larger Galaxy model, the S-Max still comes with seven seats as standard, and though the third row isn’t the best for adults, it’s ideal for children to sit comfortably in the back. Used prices start from just £2,000.

Peugeot Rifter

MPVs can come in all shapes and sizes, and in recent years most of them have been based on vans, as Peugeot’s Rifter demonstrates. Though not the most desirable with their commercial roots, their boxy shape allows for a vast amount of space, as is the case with the Rifter.

You can have the Rifter in a standard five-seat guise or a longer ‘XL’ version that gets a third row of seats. With loads of practical cubby holes and storage areas across the interior, the Rifter demonstrates everything great about MPVs. You can even have it as an EV, though petrol and diesel models are also available. Prices start from around £12,000 for a 2019 example.

Toyota Prius+

The Toyota Prius is known for being a popular hybrid vehicle often used by minicab companies, but what many don’t know is that it was also available as a seven-seat MPV, known as the Prius+. Sold between 2012 and 2020, it offers a flexible interior and great fuel economy from its efficient hybrid system.

It’s ideal for around town where you can make the most of its electric-running ability, though prices are fairly firm. You’ll still be looking at around £10,000 for a lower mileage car. Just be aware that many of the used Prius+ you’ll see for sale are imported from Japan.

Seat Alhambra

You might know Seat for its smaller hatchbacks and MPVs, but for many years this Spanish firm also sold a large seven-seat MPV known as the Alhambra. Opt for a second-generation model, introduced in 2010, if you can stretch your budget, as this is a much better choice.

One of the most practical MPVs around, it can seat seven adults in comfort, while sliding rear doors are ideal for easily getting in and out, and avoiding inevitable door dings. Prices start from around £5,000 for used examples, which get you a lot of car for the money. Just be aware that many examples for sale will be diesel and won’t be ULEZ-compliant if registered before 2015.

Mercedes B-Class

The B-Class is a car that’s often overlooked in Mercedes’ line-up, but if you want a spacious small car, this compact MPV has lots going for it. While based on the popular A-Class, the B-Class offers far more in the way of interior space, while is more angled towards comfort.

Yet it still has Mercedes’ trademark premium finish, with an upmarket interior and a good choice of engines. We recommend a second-generation B-Class, sold between 2013 and 2018, with prices for these starting from around £5,000.

Vauxhall Meriva

Vauxhall used to be one of the leaders in the MPV market with cars like the Zafira and smaller Meriva, though it hasn’t sold a dedicated people carrier for more than half a decade. They can still make for great used buys, however, with the Meriva especially being great for smaller families.

The second-generation Meriva is the best pick, with its rear-hinged doors allowing easy access to the interior, while the general interior is especially versatile and practical, despite being shorter in length than a car like the Astra. With prices starting from just £2,000 for a Meriva, it could be ideal if you’re shopping on a budget.

Renault Scenic

Renault essentially invented the concept of the MPV and dominated this market for several decades with cars like the Espace and Scenic. Today, though, Renault doesn’t sell a single MPV, with the Scenic name being revived in 2024 for an SUV.

Available across several generations, we’d recommend the third-generation car sold between 2009 and 2016. It’s available with some great diesel engines, while is practical and boasts a large boot too. A Grand Scenic is also available if you need seven seats. You can pick up a Scenic of this age for just £2,000.

Prices correct at time of publication [01/2024].