What are the best MPVs?

If you've got a large family – or just like having a car that’s extremely versatile and spacious – maybe you need an MPV (Multi-Purpose Vehicle) in your life. Also known as people carriers, MPVs have a taller, boxier body than a hatchback or saloon, and anything up to nine seats. In most cases these can be folded away or removed, so that you can prioritise people, luggage or a combination of both. Whether it’s a day out with the family, a trip to the tip or transporting your sporting gear, an MPV can really make life easier. 

The best MPVs are comfortable to travel in, built to withstand hard use and give you a drive and running costs that aren't that too different to a 'regular' car's. Here we've selected our top 10 MPVs. We've focused on used models, but many of them are also available to buy new, and there are options to suit a variety of budgets and tastes.

1.Volkswagen Touran

If you're a fan of the Volkswagen Golf hatchback but want a car that’s more family-friendly then look no further than the Volkswagen Touran. The two cars share many parts and the Touran feels more like a hatchback than an MPV to drive. It's easy to park too, because it's not that much longer than a Golf and has huge windows that give a great view out. 

The interior has the solid feel and easy-to-use layout that the best Volkswagens do. There’s loads of space in the front two rows and the two rear seats are comfortable enough for adults on shorter trips – ideal for an impromptu trip to the seaside with friends or family, without having to take two cars. There’s not much load space with all seven seats in place but the third-row seats fold into the floor when you don’t need them. Running costs shouldn’t be much higher than a Golf’s and, because the Touran has been on sale since 2015, earlier models are surprisingly affordable.

2. Seat Alhambra

Like most car brands, Seat has focused on adding more SUVs to its lineup over recent years, but dropping some other types of car. It stopped making the Alhambra in 2020, which is  a shame since it was one of the best large MPVs around. So although you can no longer buy it new, it's worth seeking out a used Alhambra if you want a large seven-seat MPV for a very reasonable price. 

With its van-like shape and sliding side doors the Alhambra offers vast interior space and excellent access to the back seats, even in a tight parking space. Despite its size, it’s good to drive and easy to park, especially since most versions have either reversing sensors or a rear-view camera.

3. Volkswagen ID.Buzz

The Volkswagen ID.Buzz might well be the coolest MPV ever. A mouthwatering blend of retro design, modern tech, electric power and impressive practicality, it's hard to think of a family-friendly car that will win you more points with your kids. Or anyone else that hitches a ride, for that matter...

There are a few things to be aware of. First, you need to get the long-wheelbase version to get seven seats rather than the five or six you get with the standard model. Second, it's on the pricey side: as of March 2025 the cheapest new version costs more than £59,000. And that delectable two-tone paint job is an option that adds almost £3,000 to the bill. But you may well feel that the feelgood factor this car oozes makes it worth every penny.

4. Citroen Berlingo

Vans are made to carry lots of stuff as efficiently as possible, so it’s no surprise that they make a great basis for MPVs. The Citroen Berlingo, as you might have guessed, is based on a van. That’s a bonus when it comes to practicality because its huge boot opening, high roofline and sliding side doors make loading and unloading easy, whether your cargo is human, canine or simply ‘stuff’.

Go for the longer ‘XL’ model rather than the ‘M’ version if you want seven – rather than five – seats. In both you can carry a full load of passengers but still  have a large boot behind them. Bonus. The Berlingo is a doddle to drive, and as well as petrol and diesel versions there’s a pure-electric model called E-Berlingo.

5. BMW 2 Series Active Tourer

Yes, BMW makes an MPV. It’s called the 2 Series Active Tourer and, as you’d expect of a BMW, it’s great to drive and has a high-quality look and feel inside. It’s also available with some very fuel-efficient engines and there’s a plug-in hybrid version that has a pure-electric range of almost 60 miles. 

If you’re looking for outright capacity, the 2 Series may not be for you because it’s only a five-seater. You do get a decent boot and rear seats that slide and fold to give some versatility, though, as well as tall door openings that make it easy to get kids and child seats in and out. If you really want a seven-seat BMW MPV take a look at the 2 Series Gran Tourer – a longer, seven-seat version of the previous Active Tourer that was sold new between 2015 and 2022.

6. Ford Galaxy

If you’re a frequent flier the Ford Galaxy will be a familiar sight because it’s particularly popular with airport taxi drivers. The same things that make it great for ferrying tetchy travellers and bulging suitcases could make it a good choice for you and your family: namely vast space and an especially smooth ride. 

Ford stopped selling the Galaxy new in 2023 but there are lots of good used examples around and it’s a great low-cost option. Probably best to find one that hasn’t covered hundreds of thousands of miles doing Heathrow runs, though.

7. Dacia Jogger

You can argue a case for describing the Dacia Jogger as an estate car, an SUV or an MPV because it combines elements of all three. Dacia simply refers to it as a ‘seven-seater family car’. Quite.

While it doesn’t offer quite as much versatility as a full-blown MPV you can fold or remove the two third-row seats if you don’t need them. To say the Jogger is great value is an understatement – it’s the cheapest new seven-seater you can buy in the UK, and by quite a large margin. All versions have low running costs, and there’s the option of a hybrid model that gives almost 60mpg, according to official figures.

8. Mercedes-Benz V-Class

You probably know Mercedes-Benz for its luxurious cars, but it also produces vans. Combine the two and you get the Mercedes-Benz V-Class – a luxury, van-based MPV that can seat up to eight people in comfort. It's the kind of vehicle you see dropping celebs off at flashy award events and exclusive parties and it’s perfect if you want to give family or friends the VIP treatment. 

Various interior layouts are available, with six, seven- or eight-seat versions available. The fewer the seats, the more luxurious the experience on board. This, as you might imagine, is one of the pricier MPV options available. But it does give you the full Mercedes-Benz experience and all manner of high-end features as standard.

9. Citroen Grand C4 SpaceTourer/Picasso

Citroen has a knack for making quirky, great-value cars and the Grand C4 SpaceTourer is a good example. Sold new between 2018 and 2023 (and from 2014 to 2018 as the Grand C4 Picasso), it’s a fine choice if you want a spacious seven-seater but are on a tight budget. 

What’s most appealing about the SpaceTourer is that it seems like it was designed to keep those in the back as happy as those in the front. Comfy seats and a smooth ride are a great start, and the huge windows (including a windscreen that stretches back into the roof) make it feel light and airy inside. Especially fuel-efficient engines and comparatively low insurance group ratings help to keep costs down.

10. Peugeot 5008

Yes, we know, the Peugeot 5008 is an SUV. But bear with us. It’s an SUV that gives you the space and practicality of an MPV. You see, the previous Peugeot 5008 model (sold new between 2010 and 2016) was a ‘proper’, van-like MPV. And when the time came to replace it Peugeot effectively kept the old car’s MPV interior layout and designed a stylish SUV body around it. Et voila, MPV practicality with SUV looks.

All three of the second-row seats have Isofix child seat fittings, and any of the second and third row of seats can be folded down into the floor to create extra load space. Up front there’s a futuristic-looking dashboard, as well as the raised driving position that SUV fans love. Quiet engines and a comfortable ride add to the 5008’s excellence as a family car.