MPG heroes - MPVs

MPG Hero
Ford C-Max 1.6 TDCi 90 Style
Price £15,845
Target Price £13,146
Economy — Average 60.1mpg; Out of town 70.6mpg;
In town 47.9mpg

The C-Max uses the same engine that powered the Focus to victory in our Green Car of the Year Awards. It’s a shade less frugal in the C-Max, but it’s by far the most economical MPV and, oddly (considering the extra practicality), £250 cheaper to buy.

Best for practicality
Citroen Grand C4 Picasso 1.6 HDi SX EGS
Price £18,995
Target Price £16,778
Economy — Average 49.6mpg; Out of town 55.4mpg;
In town 41.5mpg

The Grand C4 Picasso is big, clever, comfortable and great value for money. Models with the EGS semi-automatic gearbox manage to go 1.7 miles farther on every gallon of diesel than the manuals.

Most exciting
Ford S-Max 2.0 TDCi 140 Zetec
Price £21,545
Target Price £19,413
Economy — Average 44.1mpg; Out of town 52.3mpg;
In town 34.9mpg

Proof that MPVs don’t have to be dull. The S-Max doesn’t just look great, it’s also surprisingly good to drive and is keenly priced. There’s a 1.8-litre diesel that’s even more frugal, but it’s not such a great engine. The 2.0 TDCI is far better and is only 1.5mpg thirstier.

Auto option
Seat Altea XL 2.0 TDI Stylance DSG
Price £18,345
Target Price £16,593
Economy — Average 47.1mpg; Out of town 55.4mpg;
In town 36.7mpg

The Altea XL has a big boot, loads of legroom plus VW’ excellent DSG ’box.

Budget buy
Skoda Roomster 1.4 TDI 80 2
Price £12,600
Target Price £10,913
Economy — Average 55.4mpg; Out of town 62.8mpg;
In town 46.3mpg

This Roomster offers masses of space and the prospect of 55mpg.

The top five...
For seating six or more
1 Fiat Doblo 1.3 Multijet Family — 54.3mpg
2 Peugeot 308 SW 1.6 HDi 110 — 53.2mpg
3 Renault Scénic 1.5 dCi 106 — 52.3mpg
4 Volkswagen Touran 1.9 TDI 105 — 47.9mpg
5 Vauxhall Zafira 1.9 CDTi 120 — 47.1mpg