MPVS AND PEOPLE CARRIERS - PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST

Don't assume that the only people who need apply for ownership of an MPV People Carrier are those with large families. This sector may have started out selling glorified vans with windows but its developed into something much more sophisticated. As a result, all kinds of people are finding it hard to ignore the clear advantages of buying a car of this type.

In fact, the biggest problem these days is that there are so many alternatives, that it can be difficult to know where to start, so lets try and simplify things. Essentially, there are today three basic types of MPV.

First up are Supermini-based models, developed from shopping runabouts like the Toyota Yaris or the Mitsubishi Colt. These are basically small cars with big ideas. After all, just because you need a little car, there's no reason why it can't be almost as versatile as a larger one. These models won't transport any more people than their standard counterparts, but they do offer accommodation that is a great deal more flexible. This sector also includes small van-based MPVs like Renault's Kangoo and Citroen's Berlingo Multispace.

Whether you'd want one of these models depends upon your definition of 'flexible'. Being based on a very compact donor car means compromises not only in the number of people you can carry but in terms of the real flexibility which made you want an MPV in the first place. So much so that some of the manufacturers who claim to compete in this sector have to work quite hard to define what makes their 'Supermini-MPV' entrants different from conventional Superminis. The answer tends to fall down to two things: a slightly higher driving position with the consequently higher roof height (for that MPV 'feel') and an added dash of versatility.

How...