Star cars of 2008 - part 3 - MPVs

Chrysler Grand Voyager
Price £25,995-£32,995
On sale February
What's new? All of it. It's big and refined

Chrysler will release an all-new version of its king-sized MPV, the Grand Voyager, in the first quarter of 2008.

The company claims to have redesigned 30 interior and exterior areas, but fortunately it hasn't altered the fundamental practicalities that make the Voyager one of the most usable and spacious large MPVs on the market.

Its sliding rear side doors and Stow 'n' Go middle and rear seats (they fold flat in less than 30 seconds at the touch of a button) remain core features. Heated seats are now available in the first two rows, too.

Options include a powered tailgate and reverse-parking camera, and later on you'll be able to get the new Swivel 'n' Go seats: those in the middle row turn through 180 degrees to face the ones behind, with a table between, just like the ones on Volkswagen Transporter vans of old.

The Italian-made 2.8-litre diesel engine from the Jeep range will be the favourite among the vast majority of buyers, and it's now smoother, quieter and more potent than before.

There is still some demand for a petrol engine, which is somewhat remarkable in a car this big and thirsty, so a 3.8-litre V6 will also be available.

Chrysler will offer LX, Touring and Limited trim levels, with prices likely to be not too far removed from the £26,000-£32,000 of the outgoing range.


Dodge Journey
Price £18,000
On sale Mid-2008
What's new? Different name, but it's still a Chrysler

The Chrysler Group's next family of MPVs will be split between two of its brands.

While the supersized Grand Voyager will continue to wear Chrysler badges, the smaller Voyager is being replaced by the Dodge Journey, which has a slightly more aggressive, less 'mumsy' look.

It is nominally a seven-seater, although the two rearmost seats are for occasional use or children only.

As with the outgoing Chrysler Voyager, there's insufficient room for the rear seats to fold into the floor of the car as in the Grand Voyager, so they have to be removed or folded in half if you want more than the meagre-standard luggage space.

The Journey comes to Europe in the middle of the year, and it will be available with a 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine sourced from Volkswagen, or the 2.4-litre petrol engine that the company shares with Mitsubishi and Hyundai.

It's not yet known if the diesel engine will be the smoother, more refined unit fitted to the Tiguan, VW's compact 4x4.

Six airbags, an anti-rollover system and stability control will be standard on the car.

Optional extras will include a rear DVD player, satellite-navigation, parking sensors and an in-car fridge.

Prices are expected to start at about £18,000.


Mazda 5
Price From £14,500
On sale Early 2008
What's new? Electric sliding rear doors

Mazda's compact MPV will get 'a substantial quality upgrade' at the start of the year, as well as minor external cosmetic changes.

A new Luxury version with electric sliding rear side doors will be added to the range at the same time.

There'll also be the option of an auto gearbox with the 1.8- and 2.0-litre petrol engines, but buyers who prefer diesel will have to change gear themselves.

The current model is one of the sportier-looking MPVs you can buy, but the 1.8-litre unit is a little underpowered.

The ace up the 5's sleeve is the sliding doors. With electric doors on the Luxury model, the 5 ups the ante.


Peugeot 807 2.2 HDI
Price £24,000 (est)
On sale Early 2008
What's new? A gutsy 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine

Peugeot's large seven-seat MPV gets a fourth engine option this year — the company's excellent 2.2-litre turbodiesel.

With 170bhp and 277lb ft of pull, it's considerably stronger than the 2.0-litre petrol and diesel engines already available, and it's likely to be better suited to lugging full loads about.

There are unlikely to be any changes to the skin of the car and the interior.

Peugeot's big MPV handles well and is easy to drive.

The current 2.0-litre units deliver enough pull, but the new turbodiesel should make the 807 even more attractive to MPV buyers who want a car that offers more than enough performance to go with its practicality.


Renault Kangoo
Price £10,000 (est)
On sale Autumn
What's new? Bigger size and better quality

The Renault Kangoo will become roomier and more luxurious when it's re-launched in the autumn.

It has grown by 180mm, so you get a bit more legroom, and it is now said to provide better 'thermal and acoustic comfort'.

There's also a smarter-looking dashboard made from classier materials.

Low-cost practicality is still the essence of the car, though: the split rear seats fold down in one movement and some models have a folding front passenger seat. There are 2866 litres of boot space.