What Car? Q&A - Where can I get a green MPV?

Q: I have a large family and I've been looking for a large alternative-fuel MPV for a while.

I came across information on the Toyota Estima hybrid early last year, but Toyota GB said there were no immediate plans to bring the Estima to the UK.

I also asked if garages would be able to service the car if I imported it. My local Toyota dealer said that they would not.

If Toyota can't service the Estima, could you tell me of anywhere that can? Have I overlooked an alternative model already on sale here in the UK - something as large as a Previa?
Phil Gayle

A: The Estima was known as the Previa when Toyota sold it in the UK, but the company decided to stop importing it in 2006 to concentrate on bigger-selling cars.

There's been no change in that strategy, so there's no prospect of any Previa turning up on these shores as an official import, let alone the four-wheel-drive hybrid version.

If you did decide to buy a 'grey import' from Japan, having it serviced would be tricky. Even a franchised dealer with all of its kit and training wouldn't necessarily have the expertise to service such a car.

While Toyota dealers have experience of the Prius hybrid, the system used on the Estima is entirely different, and may well require specific tools that no workshop in the UK will have.

An independent garage is likely to find it even harder to work on the car and keep it running smoothly, so it looks like a lot of unnecessary trouble to us.

As far as models already on sale in the UK go, the biggest you'll find is Lexus' 4x4, the RX450h, from £36,393, but, like the Prius, Lexus GS and Lexus LS hybrid, it only seats up to five, which may not be suitable for you.

If you need more seats and want to be as green as possible, here are the cars we recommend on the basis of their CO2 emissions and fuel economy.

1 Renault Grand Scenic 1.5 dCi (105) Expr'n    144g/km   VED Band C   52.3mpg
2 Citroen Grand C4 Picasso 1.6 HDI Exclusive   150g/km   VED Band C   49.6mpg
3 VW Touran 1.9 TDI 105 DPF S   160g/km   VED Band D   47.1mpg
4 Kia Carens 2.0 CRDI LS   163g/km    VED Band D   46.3mpg
5 Vauxhall Zafira 1.9 CDTi 120 Club   165g/km    VED Band D    46.3mpg