Best & worst… MPVs

• What Car?'s top five MPVs
• Plus some to avoid
• Get the lowdown here

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The best of the best
Seat Alhambra
The previous version of the Alhambra had loads of space and scored well on value-for-money, but it wasn't exactly a clever MPV.

You could remove all of the seats to effectively turn it into a van, but it was a long-winded, clumsy and cumbersome operation that left you with five seats to store.

The new Alhambra has gone back to school to convincingly outsmart its predecessor, and its new seating system certainly scores top marks.

Folding them all away to create your 'van' takes less than a minute. The centre row of seats slide and recline, but the outboard pair now slide forward to allow easier access to the rearmost two. The new sliding side doors also help with access and can be electrically operated, too.

It's all change for this flexible full-size MPV – apart from the fact that it's still excellent value for money.
What Car? pick of the Seat Alhambra range - 2.0 TDI 140 Ecomotive S

The best of the rest
Peugeot 5008
The 5008's seats are super-easy to use – you can fold them down one-handed at the tug of a lever.

There's loads of space inside, too, and the Peugeot rides well to keep everyone happy. If your passengers are up for it, though, the 5008 can also take on corners with great enthusiasm.

Entry-level models are reasonably well equipped, but the keenly priced mid-spec Sport version makes the most sense.
What Car? pick of the Peugeot 5008 range - 1.6 HDi 112 Sport

Citroen C3 Picasso
Quirky, cool and funky – that's the Citroen C3 Picasso in three words.

Fortunately, it's also spacious, for its size. If you don't want a full-size seven-seater, the five-seater Citroen is little bigger than a conventional supermini, but has bags more room inside.

The Picasso majors on comfort, rather than cornering ability, and is well-priced and well equipped – as long as you avoid entry-level versions.
What Car? pick of the Citroen C3 Picasso range - 1.6 VTi VTR+

Volkswagen Sharan
The Sharan is the twin sister of the Alhambra. It's a little more expensive, and doesn't do quite as well on equipment, but is still an excellent seven-seater.

Resale values are a gnat's whisker better than the Alhambra, but the VW is still a little more costly to run.
What Car? pick of the Volkswagen Sharan range - 2.0 TDI 140 SE 5dr

Ford S-Max
The S-Max is brilliant to drive. As well as top-drawer ride and refinement, this seven-seater has bags of grip to make cornering it lots of fun.

It's not just good at the wheel, though. The second and third row seats fold down flat to leave an enormous loadspace, although the third row is a little fiddly to operate.

Equipment levels are very good, although it's more expensive to buy than many other cars in the class.
What Car? pick of the Ford S-Max range - 2.0 TDCi 140 Zetec

The not-so-hot
We've got nothing against van-based MPVs in principle, but the Mercedes-Benz Viano is just too expensive. It might be vast, and available in two wheelbase lengths, but the seats are heavy to remove and refinement is poor.

Ssangyong's Rodius offers masses of space and equipment for the money, but resale values are poor, the ride is harsh and there are no side- or curtain airbags.

Another van-based MPV we're not keen on, the Volkswagen Caddy Maxi Life, disappoints in the same way as the Viano – lots of space, but the seats are cumbersome and prices are too high.

You can see all of our MPV reviews here

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