Citroën is probably most famous for its quirky design, and the latest cars from the brand live up to this tradition. In fact, it&nbsp;tends to keep away from sportiness altogether and instead tries to put comfort first.

Value (but not cheapness) is also key to the appeal of most Citroëns. And the company’s range includes everything from a tiny EV (the Ami) through to the C3 small hatchback and&nbsp;the large van-based&nbsp;Spacetourer MPV.

Its range of SUVs are all badged Aircross, and like the rest of its range place emphasis on comfort, not speed.

CITROEN

e-Spacetourer

If you want an electric vehicle – whether it's something small and sporty or vast and practical – you're spoilt for choice these days. Take one glance at the Citroën e-Spacetourer and it’s clear which of those size extremes we’re talking about here.

For a start, you can seat up to nine people inside, or&nbsp;you can remove all the seats (if you’ve got somewhere to store them) and turn the e-Spacetourer into a big, carpeted <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-electric-vans-2023/n21136">electric van</a>. That shouldn’t come as&nbsp;a surprise&nbsp;because, behind the big windows and body-coloured bumpers, all Spacetourers are based on the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/dispatch/van/review/n18249">Citroën Dispatch</a>.&nbsp;

While&nbsp;the closely-related <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/vauxhall/vivaro-e-life/mpv/review/n22307">Vauxhall Vivaro-e Life</a> is available in two sizes (medium and large), the&nbsp;e-Spacetourer is available in only&nbsp;one length. You do get a choice of a couple of different trim levels, though, and you can also choose how many seats you want. <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/make/citroen">Citroën</a>&nbsp;also gives you a smattering of other options to choose from if you&nbsp;require a bit more luxury.

The e-Spacetourer's rivals include not only its Vauxhall-badged cousin but also&nbsp;the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/eqv/mpv/review/n22795">Mercedes EQV</a>. Spend a bit more and you could have a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-x/hatchback/review/n161">Tesla Model X</a>, although that futuristically-styled MPV can only seat a piffling seven people.&nbsp;

For buyers looking for a traditional diesel engine, the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/space-tourer/mpv/review/n17326">Citroën&nbsp;Spacetourer</a>&nbsp;offers even more space. If you can live with seven seats, similar van-based <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/category/mpv">MPVs</a> including&nbsp;the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/berlingo/estate/review/n17319">Citroën Berlingo</a> or traditional MPVs such as the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/touran/mpv/review/n17348">VW Touran</a> should be on your shopping list too. Of course, you might also choose a seven-seat SUV instead – the What Car? Award-winning <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/5008/estate/review/n17369">Peugeot 5008</a>&nbsp;for example.

Should the Citroën e-Spacetourer be on your shortlist, then? In this review, we’ll tell you what it’s like to drive and to live with, as well as which version we think you should choose.

Don’t forget, whatever make and model of&nbsp;car you go for,&nbsp;our free What Car?&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals">New Car Deals</a>&nbsp;service is on hand to take all the effort out of the process while making sure you get a great saving on the price. It's the place to find excellent <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/category/electric">new electric car deals.</a>

A spacious and versatile electric MPV,&nbsp;but its range is rather short.

Citroen e-Spacetourer

Need to load up several people and all of their luggage for a big road trip? A van-based MPV could be the answer to your prayers. Although these vehicles are heavily based on commercial vehicles, most will include higher quality materials than their working siblings, and creature comforts designed to keep everyone comfy. Most are spacious, too, with a boot large enough to accommodate multiple large suitcases – even if every seat is also filled.

Van-based MPV

We won't start this Citroën SpaceTourer review with a dodgy Star Trek reference – although it is very tempting. Instead, we’ll focus&nbsp;on the kind of space this MPV excels at: space for loads of people.

The SpaceTourer gives you up to nine seats (various set-ups are available), trumping all those MPVs and SUVs that are maxed out when seven people are on board. That makes it the logical next step for any family that's managed to outgrown their <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/touran/mpv/review/n17348">Volkswagen Touran</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/galaxy/mpv/review/n142">Ford Galaxy</a>.

There's a simple reason <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/citroen">Citroën</a> has been able to make it such an ace of space:&nbsp;if you look beyond the fancy alloy wheels and leather seats of the test vehicle in these photographs, it’s really a van underneath.

That puts the SpaceTourer up against other options in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/category/van-based-mpv">van-based MPV category</a>&nbsp;(the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/tourneo-connect/estate/review/n17334">Ford Tourneo Connect</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/v-class/estate/review/n17287">Mercedes V-Class</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/caravelle/mpv/review/n17332">Volkswagen Caravelle</a>, for example).&nbsp;As with its&nbsp;rivals, you can choose from a range of diesel engines and have a manual or automatic gearbox.

That's not all, though – there's also the ë-SpaceTourer. As that little 'e' suggests, it's an electric vehicle (EV), replacing diesel power with a motor fed by a battery tucked away under the floor. You can read all about that version in our&nbsp;separate&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/e-spacetourer/mpv/review/n22872">Citroën ë-SpaceTourer review</a>.

Anyway, back to the standard SpaceTourer, and you might be wondering whether it's&nbsp;the perfect family companion, or simply too big for its own good. We'll let you know in this review.

We'll help you work out which seating&nbsp;option is likely to suit your needs best, too. There's a&nbsp;six or eight-seat layout that allows people to face each other, plus forward-facing five or nine seat set-ups.

We'll compare the Citroën SpaceTourer with its key rivals, rating its performance, passenger and boot space, quality and value for money. We'll also tell you which trim and engine combination is the best.

Once you're ready to buy a new car of any make and model, make sure you get it for the best price by searching our free <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals">What Car? New Car Buying service</a>. It could save you thousands of pounds, and features loads of new <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/citroen/space-tourer/mpv/deals">Citroën SpaceTourer deals</a>.

SPACE TOURER

Massively spacious but interior quality and handling are likely to disappoint someone used to a regular MPV

Citroën Spacetourer

The Ford Tourneo Connect is a rebadged variant of another brand's van-based MPV – and that's rather a good thing.

You see, because Ford based the Tourneo Connect on the rival <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/caddy/mpv/review/n24292">VW Caddy</a>&nbsp;it was able to tap into Volkswagen's decades of van experience, while also adding its own (not inconsiderable) know-how. In other words, this model&nbsp;is the result of two specialists coming together to pool a vast amount of knowledge and resources.

Unlike the closely related <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/transit-connect/van/review/n18510">Ford Transit Connect</a> small van, the Tourneo Connect is aimed at families who might also be considering an SUV or an estate car, and aims to provide maximum practicality. (Size wise it sits between the smaller <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/tourneo-courier/mpv/review/n18528">Ford Tourneo Courier</a> and the bigger <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/tourneo-custom/mpv/review/n17556">Ford Tourneo Custom</a>.)

For added interior and boot space, you can upgrade to the longer Grand Tourneo Connect, which comes with seven seats. The regular version has five seats as standard, but is also available as a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/7-seat-cars/n2344">seven-seater</a>.

Read on to find out whether the Ford Tourneo Connect is a better choice of family transport than the Caddy&nbsp;and other models you might be considering – including the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/berlingo/estate/review/n23857">Citroën Berlingo</a>, the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/rifter/estate/review/n17558">Peugeot Rifter</a> and the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/dacia/jogger/mpv/review/n24141">Dacia Jogger</a>...

Estate

Ford builds some of the most popular cars in the UK, including the Fiesta and Focus hatchbacks.

This success is partly down to longevity and the fact that there’s a Ford dealer around every corner. However, it’s also because Fords tend to offer good value and be among the best cars in their respective classes to drive.

The company’s huge range also helps; it offers everything from the small – but surprisingly practical – Ka+ to the large and lavishly equipped Edge SUV.

Meanwhile, other highlights of the range include the S-Max and Galaxy people carriers, the Mondeo executive car and the Ranger pick-up.

FORD

TOURNEO CONNECT

The Tourneo Connect is a very practical MPV&nbsp;but some rivals are better to drive

Ford Tourneo Connect

Imagine you’re rich enough to travel the world on your own private jet. That’s great, but when you’re being whisked from the runway to your next engagement, what’s going to carry you there? The likely answer&nbsp;is the Mercedes V-Class.

The V-Class is a high-end MPV based on the Vito&nbsp;van, and the theory is that it’ll offer you more space –&nbsp;and more luxury –&nbsp;than regular people carriers such as the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/galaxy/mpv/review/n142">Ford Galaxy</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/touran/mpv/review/n17348">VW&nbsp;Touran</a>.&nbsp;

Not so long ago, Mercedes&nbsp;had this market pretty well sewn up, because major rivals including the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/tourneo-custom/mpv/review/n17556">Ford Tourneo Custom</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/traveller/mpv/review/n17329">Peugeot Traveller</a> couldn’t match its opulence. Like those two models, the V-Class’s party trick is being able to carry up to eight people.

Now, though, the market has heated up faster than Taylor Swift’s record sales, and there's&nbsp;more upmarket competition, chiefly from the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/lexus/lm/4x4/review/n26144">Lexus LM</a>. There’s also the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/multivan/mpv/review/n24442">VW Multivan</a> to consider, although that's limited to seven seats.

The question is, is the Mercedes V-Class the ideal choice to transport your troop of kids or colleagues, and how do we rate it against the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/mpvs-and-people-carriers/n17001">best MPVs</a>? Read on to find out...

Mercedes’ line-up is vast – ranging from the A-Class family hatchback through to staple saloons such as the C-Class and E-Class, and onwards towards multiple SUVs, luxury saloons and even sports cars. Coupés and convertibles are thrown into the mix as well.

As one of the ‘big three’ German brands, Mercedes most often finds itself competing with Audi and BMW but more recently has found itself fending off Jaguar and Volvo, too.

Mercedes models are known for comfort. One example of this is the E-Class, because while the Audi A6 has a plusher interior and the BMW 5 Series handles better, the E-Class is probably the most comfortable for a long motorway journey.

MERCEDES-BENZ

V CLASS

The V-Class offers luxurious transport for up to eight people but it's&nbsp;very expensive

New Mercedes V-Class

The Peugeot Rifter is the French firm's <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-and-worst-mpvs-and-people-carriers-2019/n17001">MPV</a> with <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-and-worst-large-suvs-2019/n17006">SUV</a> pretensions, designed specifically to&nbsp;dispel the notion that you have to forget about style if you want to combine the passenger-carrying versatility of a traditional people carrier&nbsp;with the load capacity of a small van.

A replacement for the popular&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/rifter/estate/review/n17558">Partner Tepee</a>, it has a more adventurous and distinctly beefed-up look, aided by&nbsp;a short front overhang, a sharp vertical front end and further rugged styling touches that add an element of SUV desirability to proceedings.

In addition, while there is a commercial vehicle variant (otherwise known as a van), the Rifter was&nbsp;designed from the ground up to carry people and not just cargo –&nbsp;much like the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/berlingo/estate/review/n17319">latest Citroën Berlingo</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/vauxhall/combo-life/mpv/review/n17869">Vauxhall Combo Life</a> with which it shares its underpinnings.

Practical touches include sliding rear doors, roof bars, back seats that fold easily and a large rear tailgate with virtually no loading lip. There’s even the option of a stretched version with seven seats.

To&nbsp;further the Rifter’s hopes of attracting SUV buyers, it's available with the same sort of interior luxuries as these cars. Plus, it gets&nbsp;more sophisticated driver aids than its predecessor, including <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/what-is-aeb-and-how-does-it-work/n3283">automatic emergency braking</a> and adaptive cruise control.

In this review we'll look at everything from <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/rifter/estate/review/n17558/on-the-road">what the Rifter is&nbsp;like to drive</a>, to <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/rifter/estate/review/n17558/space-practicality">how family-friendly it is</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/rifter/estate/review/n17558/buying-owning">which versions make most sense</a>. Then, if you do decide it's the car for you,&nbsp;take a look at our <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/peugeot/rifter/estate/deals">new car buying section</a> to see how much you could save without the hassle of haggling.

Peugeot has its strongest model line-up for some years, with some of its cars now rated by our testers as being among the very best available.

Highlights focus around the firm’s newest SUVs, the 3008 and 5008. The 5008 was named Large SUV of the Year at the 2018 What Car? Awards, thanks to its appealing blend of space, interior quality and low running costs.

That bodes well for future launches, too, because many of the learnings from these cars will be passed on as new versions of existing cars are launched – something that could take many years, because the Peugeot range is so big, ranging from an entry-level supermini with the 108 to an executive saloon with the 508, up into the SUV range and also vans.

Buyers should evaluate some of the lower-rated cars in the range more carefully, though. Some are now quite old, and are subsequently left behind in terms of quality when compared with the opposition, making them below-average buys, in our estimation.

PEUGEOT

RIFTER

It may not have the class of more mainstream MPVs, but the Peugeot Rifter offers unmatched space and practicality, and is surprisingly good to drive

Peugeot Rifter

How many people can you legally squeeze into a car? If it’s a big saloon, you’re looking at five tops. A chunky SUV, MPV or even some estate cars can swallow seven – but surely that’s the limit, right? Not necessarily.

You see, the Peugeot Traveller can hold up to nine of your nearest and dearest including your good self. If that seems excessive, you can get versions with five, six, seven or eight seats, too. And you’ve got a choice of three lengths.

If that sounds more like the kind of flexibility you’d get from a minibus, that’s because it basically is. Like the near-identical <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/space-tourer/mpv/review/n17326">Citroën Spacetourer</a> or rivals such as the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/caravelle/mpv/review/n17332">Volkswagen Caravelle</a>, Ford Tourneo and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/v-class/estate/review/n17287">Mercedes-Benz V-Class</a>, the Traveller is essentially a van with windows, alloy wheels and a smattering of luxury accouterments.

Over the next few pages, we’ll look at just how practical the Traveller is, what it’s like to drive and which version is best. Don’t forget to look at our <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/configure/peugeot/traveller/mpv/">new car deals</a> for big savings on this and many other new cars.

TRAVELLER

Very spacious but handling and interior quality are likely to disappoint those used to a regular MPV

Peugeot Traveller

Considering that the Peugeot e-Rifter has SUV-inspired styling, up to&nbsp;seven seats and is an all-electric vehicle, you’d be forgiven for thinking it’ll be expensive.

But no – the e-Rifter is available for a third of the price of the most notable vehicle that fulfils all those criteria, the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-x/hatchback/review/n161">Tesla Model X</a>. That puts it in the same league as the Nissan e-NV200 Combi, as well as the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/berlingo/estate/review/n23857">Citroën e-Berlingo</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/vauxhall/combo-life/mpv/review/n23859">Vauxhall Combo-e Life</a>.

Now, those last two electric van-based <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-mpvs-and-people-carriers-2022/n17001">MPVs</a> are identical in many ways to the e-Rifter, so you might wonder why we haven't simply written one review for all three and left it at that. Well, there are lots of differences too, and we'll explain them over the next few pages to help you decide which car is best for you.

For starters,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/peugeot">Peugeot</a> has given the e-Rifter plenty of SUV styling cues to make it the most rugged-looking of the three. All models have lots of black plastic on the outside to shrug off small knocks, and top-spec models even have roof bars on the, er, roof.

The electric version – as with the regular <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/rifter/estate/review/n17558">Peugeot Rifter</a>&nbsp;– has plenty of sophisticated driver aids as standard, including automatic emergency braking. It comes in the same two bodystyles too: the shorter five-seat M and the&nbsp;longer seven-seat XL.

Whichever e-Rifter&nbsp;you choose, you’ll have plenty of stowage space because the batteries don’t compromise boot capacity. There’s also loads of headroom due to its tall, van-derived body shape.

So practicality at least seems unaffected by the Rifter's conversion into an <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-electric-cars-2022/n17000">electric vehicle</a>&nbsp;but how does the e-Rifter compare with&nbsp;the rivals you might be considering? Read on to find out.

Remember, when you next buy a new car, you could save thousands by searching the free <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals">What Car? New Car Buying service</a>, which features lots of <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/peugeot/rifter/estate/deals">Peugeot Rifter deals</a>.

Electric van-based MPV is refined, very&nbsp;practical and well-equipped

Peugeot e-Rifter

Praise be to the Peugeot e-Traveller&nbsp;because you can now drive your extended family through London without&nbsp;burning fossil fuels or having to resort to one of those expensive horse-drawn carriages.

Yes, you read that right: this very large eight-seat (or seven, if configured as such) van-based MPV is actually an electric vehicle. The e-Traveller is&nbsp;not only quiet enough to avoid startling&nbsp;the horses trotting down The Mall, but also avoids the congestion charge.

Instead of using a diesel engine (as is traditional with <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/category/van-based-mpv">van-based MPVs</a>), you get an electric motor with up to 134bhp. The motor gets its juice from a 50kWh battery pack that you can&nbsp;charge&nbsp;at a rate of up 100kW&nbsp;if you can find a charger capable of that speed.

The e-Traveller's body and electric tech are&nbsp;essentially the same as you’ll find in a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/e-spacetourer/mpv/review/n22872">Citroën e-Spacetourer</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/vauxhall/vivaro-e-life/mpv/review/n22307">Vauxhall Vivaro-e Life</a>.&nbsp;If you’re wondering where this <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/peugeot">Peugeot</a> fits into that hierarchy, just know that both those rivals have stripped-out and rather basic entry-level versions to keep the price low, while the e-Traveller is 'the posh one', aiming to take on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/eqv/mpv/review/n22795">Mercedes EQV</a>.

So does the Peugeot e-Traveller successfully fit into the niche&nbsp;but expanding sector of zero-tailpipe emissions people carriers, and how does it compare with the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-mpvs-and-people-carriers-2021/n17001">best MPV</a>&nbsp;rivals?

Read on through this comprehensive review to find out whether it's good to drive, how comfortable all those passengers will be, whether the running costs are manageable, which trims and engines we rate and much more.

When you're ready to buy a new vehicle of any make and model, don't forget that you can track down the best prices using our free&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals">What Car? New Car Buying service</a>. It has lots of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/peugeot/traveller/mpv/deals">Peugeot e-Traveller deals</a>.

Aimed at private buyers, you get a 7.0in touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, as well as a DAB radio, auto lights and wipers, dual-zone climate control and rear parking sensors. Makes the most financial sense.

Active

Electric van-based MPV&nbsp;can carry plenty of people&nbsp;but has a limited range and is more expensive than direct rivals.

Peugeot e-Traveller

The Renault Trafic Passenger is unusual in the MPV class, because it&nbsp;avoids the irritating&nbsp;situation&nbsp;of having loads of seats but not enough boot space for everyone's luggage.&nbsp;You see, most <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-mpvs-and-people-carriers-2022/n17001">MPVs</a> have tiny boots when all the seats are in use, which is annoying if you want to take a big family group on holiday.

After all, no one wants to go away without any belongings, or, worse, be the person left behind to make space for a few suitcases.

The Trafic Passenger, though,&nbsp;has space inside for eight or even nine occupants (depending on the spec you choose) plus load-lugging capacity to keep them all in fresh clothes for a while. To achieve that, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/renault">Renault</a>&nbsp;has based it on the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/trafic/van/review/n18803">Trafic van</a>.

That also means the Trafic Passenger gets a&nbsp;traditional van engine: a 2.0-litre diesel, available with a choice of 109bhp, 148bhp and 168bhp power outputs. You can have any of them with a six-speed manual gearbox, but if you choose one of the two more powerful engines, you can have a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/automatic-gearboxes-everything-you-need-to-know/n17022">dual-clutch automatic</a> instead.&nbsp;

There are also two different lengths available, a standard wheelbase and (for anyone not likely to venture into a car park too often) a long wheelbase. Both can be had with either eight or nine seats, putting the Trafic Passenger&nbsp;up against other van-based MPVs, including the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/v-class/estate/review/n17287">Mercedes V-Class</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/proace-verso/estate/review/n17331">Toyota Proace Verso</a>.&nbsp;

In this comprehensive review we’ll tell you what the Renault Trafic Passenger is like to drive, how comfortable it is&nbsp;for the driver and all those passengers and what the running costs are likely to be. We'll also let you know which trim and engine options we recommend.

When you're ready to buy a new vehicle, don't forget that you can track down the best prices available by using the free <a href=" https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals">What Car?&nbsp;New Car Deals service</a>. It's the&nbsp;place to find the best <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/category/van-based-mpv">van-based MPV deals</a>.

Hatchbacks, SUVs, hybrids, electric cars: Renault makes them all, in a variety of shapes and sizes, meaning&nbsp;it has a line-up designed to tempt pretty much everyone.

From the roadside, the standout feature of all its cars is design, with them instantly recognisable as members of the Renault family, without being so similar that they fall&nbsp;into the Russian doll trap. However, in terms of ability they're a mixed bag,&nbsp;ranging&nbsp;from very good to no better than average.

Models that fall into the former camp include the Clio small hatchback and Megane E-Tech electric car, while the smaller Zoe electric car is also impressive in most respects; it's just a pity Renault omits key safety kit.

On the other hand, the Captur, Arkana and Austral SUVs are all outclassed by several rivals.

Renault has some exciting new models planned, including a new Scenic (this time it will be an electric SUV instead of a conventionally powered MPV) and two cars that reimagine classic Renaults: the 4 and 5.

RENAULT

Trafic

Good at the ‘people versus luggage’ conundrum, but well off the pace in most other ways

Renault Trafic Passenger

The Toyota Proace Verso could be the answer to the question: "What should I get if I need to&nbsp;carry more than seven people and all&nbsp;their luggage at once?"

You see, it's&nbsp;available in a nine-seat version so even families too big for most MPVs and SUVs are well catered for. There’s also an eight-seater&nbsp;and a semi-luxury VIP model with seating for "just" seven, and the versatility doesn't stop there – there are two lengths to choose from, the Long and Medium, and three engine options (all diesel).

If reading all that has left you with the impression that the Proace Verso&nbsp;is more like a minibus than a car, well, that's not actually far from the truth. It's similar to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/tourneo-custom/mpv/review/n17556">Ford Tourneo Custom</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/v-class/estate/review/n17287">Mercedes V-Class</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/2022-volkswagen-multivan-review-price-specs-and-release-date/n23718">Volkswagen Multivan</a>&nbsp;in the sense that <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/toyota">Toyota</a> has taken what is&nbsp;basically a&nbsp;minibus underneath and sprinkled it with car-like creature comforts.

That formula doesn’t always add up to a winning combination. Van-based <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-mpvs-and-people-carriers-2022/n17001">MPVs</a> can suffer from less-than-inspiring driving dynamics and spartan interiors because of their commercial underpinnings. The best of them, though, offer the right blend of serious out-and-out practicality with just enough luxury to feel more like a car than a van.

So where does the Toyota Proace Verso fit into the broad spectrum of people carriers, and how does it compare with the rivals we've mentioned? Read on through this comprehensive review to find out whether it's good to drive, how comfortable all those passengers will be, whether the running costs are manageable, which trims and engines we rate&nbsp;and much more.

When you're ready to buy a new vehicle of any make and model, don't forget that you can track down the best prices available by using the free <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals">What Car? New Car Buying service</a>, where you'll find some top new <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/toyota/proace-verso/estate/deals">Toyota Proace Verso deals</a>.

Toyota is a company undergoing a quiet revolution, as it works hard to replace its sensible but somewhat bland reputation with one for being a bit more daring, in areas such as the styling of its cars and its enthusiastic leadership of cutting-edge technology, such as hybrid systems.

That process seems to be working for buyers, with the hugely popular and striking-looking C-HR SUV in particular attracting a great deal of interest. The latest version of the hybrid Prius is also rated highly by What Car?; it’s the first Prius to go on sale that our testers have felt can truly compete all round with existing petrol or diesel rivals.

However, it’s worth noting that this period of transition is also a work in progress, and that many of the firm’s cars are still rated as being no more than average among class rivals by our testers.

TOYOTA

PROACE VERSO

Incredibly versatile, but don’t expect the Toyota Proace Verso to drive as well as smaller MPVs

Toyota Proace Verso

If you need the ultimate people mover and don’t want an SUV, you really should test drive the Vauxhall Vivaro Life MPV.

No really, you should. While the Vivaro Life's commercial vehicle origins are plain to see from its exterior, this eight-seater is more than just a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/vauxhall">Vauxhall</a> van with up to nine&nbsp;seats and extra&nbsp;windows.&nbsp;

Once you get behind the wheel, it&nbsp;might well win you over with its driving manners, which are&nbsp;much closer to those of a car than you’d think after glancing at its boxy body. You might also be attracted to its high driving position, which gives you a commanding view of the road.

As with many of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-mpvs-and-people-carriers-2022/n17001">best MPVs</a>&nbsp;out there, you can have the Vivaro Life in either Normal (medium) form or with a longer body&nbsp;– called, logically enough, Long. It's&nbsp;available with a choice of two diesel engines, but there's also an electric version. To find out all about that, check out our full separate&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/vauxhall/vivaro-e-life/mpv/review/n22307">Vauxhall Vivaro-e Life review</a>.

Of course, there are alternatives, such as the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/space-tourer/mpv/review/n17326/on-the-road">Citroën SpaceTourer</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/v-class/estate/review/n17287">Mercedes V-Class</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/traveller/mpv/review/n17329">Peugeot Traveller</a>. If you want something easier to park, you might also consider the cheaper and less spacious&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/galaxy/mpv/review/n142">Ford Galaxy</a>&nbsp;or a&nbsp;seven-seat SUV&nbsp;such as the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/5008/estate/review/n17369">Peugeot 5008</a>.&nbsp;

So is the Vauxhall Vivaro Life the best option for you and your family? Read on over the next few pages of this review to find out. We'll give you a run down of how it rates for performance, handling, interior quality, running costs and more, and also recommend our favourite version.&nbsp;

When you've decided which car is for you, we can help you find it for the lowest price if you search our free <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals">What Car? New Car Buying service</a>. It's a good place to find the best <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/vauxhall/vivaro-life/mpv/deals">Vauxhall Vivaro Life deals</a>.

Vauxhall has an incredibly diverse range of cars on sale, a few of which stand out above the class average. Add in the fact that it still offers some of the largest Target Price discounts in the market (something it is trying, without huge success, to cut back on), and there are very good reasons to consider buying one of its better models.

However, you need to choose carefully, because it is also a brand in transition. It has a newish parent company – the same one that owns Citroën, DS and Peugeot. And while Vauxhall’s newer models tend to be competitive, some of the others feel dated; a quick check of our star ratings will reveal which is which.

Still, given the recent success of sister brands Citroën and especially Peugeot, each new launch should make its range more appealing to buyers.

VAUXHALL

VIVARO LIFE

Vauxhall Vivaro Life

Unless you’re the spokesperson for a well-known brand of sweetcorn, the words ‘green’ and ‘giant’ are rarely used together. But if you regularly need to fit up to nine bottoms on seats, yet you still want to do your bit for the planet, those are exactly the qualities you’ll be looking for in your next vehicle. Unfortunately, your buying options are very limited indeed – however, don’t despair, because the Vauxhall Vivaro-e Life could be right up your street.

First off, the Vivaro-e Life is big. Really big. It’s based on the Vivaro-e van, but before you go thinking that’s a bad thing, the Vivaro-e is our <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/van-of-the-year-2021-overall-winner/n22165">Van of the Year 2021</a>, so as the starting point for a large, electric people carrier, it couldn’t be better.

Available in either Normal or extended-wheelbase Long forms, the Vivaro-e sits alongside rivals including the Mercedes EQV and Citroën e-SpaceTourer in this very niche market. Although it can seat up to nine, most buyers will opt for having up to eight instead, plus enough luggage space left over to embarrass the cargo hold of a plane if you opted for the longer version we’re testing here.

If you’d rather have a traditional combustion engine, then the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/vauxhall/vivaro-life/mpv/review/n19645">regular Vivaro Life</a> is equally spacious, or if you can live with seven seats, similar van-based MPVs like the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/berlingo/estate/review/n17319">Citroën Berlingo</a> or traditional MPVs such as <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/touran/mpv/review/n17348">Volkswagen Touran</a> should also be on your shopping list. Of course, you might also choose a seven-seat SUV instead, such as the What Car? Award-winning <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/5008/estate/review/n17369">Peugeot 5008</a>.

Should the Vauxhall Vivaro-e Life be on your shortlist, then? In this review we’ll tell you what it’s like to drive and to live with, as well as which version we think you should choose. And don’t forget that if you want to buy a Vivaro-e Life or indeed any other new car, just use our <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals">New Car Buying Service</a> to secure a great deal which could save you thousands.

Huge&nbsp;electric people carrier that falls down on range and ride.

Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric

We’ve seen popemobiles for the Pope – and the Volkswagen Caddy could be the vehicle of choice for an episcopate of bishops.&nbsp;

How so? Well, the Caddy is a van-based <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-mpvs-and-people-carriers-2022/n17001">MPV</a>, and because of its boxy, upright shape, it has a huge amount of head room inside for five – or even seven – members of the cloth to travel together&nbsp;in full regalia.

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/volkswagen">Volkswagen</a> builds the Caddy in two lengths, so you can opt for the standard wheelbase version with five or seven seats, or the&nbsp;longer wheelbase Caddy Maxi, which has&nbsp;seven seats as standard.

It's based on the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/caddy/van/review/n18482">VW Caddy Cargo</a>&nbsp;van and comes with a petrol or diesel engine. (If you want an MPV you plug in rather than fill up, check out the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/berlingo/estate/review/n23857">Citroën e-Berlingo</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/rifter/estate/review/n23858">Peugeot e-Rifter</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/vauxhall/combo-life/mpv/review/n23859">Vauxhall Combo-e Life</a>.)

Now, you might be thinking that because the Caddy is based on a van, it won't be particularly good to drive, and that you'll be better off with a more obviously car-like MPV.&nbsp;Well, beneath the tall frame of the Caddy (and the Caddy Cargo) lies a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/golf/hatchback/review/n17371">VW&nbsp;Golf</a> –&nbsp;and that’s not a car that's ever been accused of being untidy on the road.

So how does the Volkswagen Caddy compare with the best MPVs on sale? This full review will answer all your questions, including how good the performance is, which engine is the best,&nbsp;how it handles, how much luggage it can carry and what the running costs are like.

We'll also rate it against rival cars you might be considering, including the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/galaxy/mpv/review/n142">Ford Galaxy</a>, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/tourneo-connect/estate/review/n17334">Ford Tourneo Connect</a> and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/touran/mpv/review/n17348">VW Touran</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Remember, if you do decide to buy an MPV – or any new car or van – you could save thousands by looking at the best prices on&nbsp;our free&nbsp;What Car? <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals">New Car Deals</a> service. It has loads of very good&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/category/van-based-mpv">van-based MPV deals</a>.

The VW Group famously spends more money on research and development than any rival – and as a result, perhaps it should be no surprise that our testers rate its cars so consistently highly.

The fact that many of those cars use the same underpinnings also helps, because it means that if they get it right once, they have the foundations to keep on getting it right.

However, the Volkswagen brand faces plenty of tough competition, often from within, because the rapidly rising Seat and Skoda brands that are also part of the group have access to the same technology.

VOLKSWAGEN

CADDY

MPV is decent to drive with an excellent safety rating but there are better options for the price

Volkswagen Caddy MPV

We doubt the Volkswagen Caravelle needs much in the way of an introduction; after all, you can trace its lineage all the way back to the original split-screen VW bus that was launched in 1950. While that was, in effect, a stretched Beetle with a box on top, the latest ‘T6.1’ is a purpose-built people-mover.

Of course, you don’t need to look too hard to see that the T6.1 also comes as a purpose-built van:<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/transporter/van/review/n18205"> the Transporter</a>. That puts it up against rivals such as the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/space-tourer/mpv/review/n17326">Citroën Spacetourer</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/traveller/mpv/review/n17329">Peugeot Traveller</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/tourneo-custom/mpv/review/n17556">Ford Tourneo Custom</a> – all candidates if you’ve outgrown a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/galaxy/mpv/review/n142">Ford Galaxy</a> or <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/seat/alhambra/mpv/review/n17146">Seat Alhambra</a>.

This generation was launched with a choice of diesel and petrol engines, but the latter have since been dropped. This is no bad thing, however, as the Caravelle has always been better suited to a grunty diesel motor, especially when loaded up with people and luggage.&nbsp;

To see which version we recommend and how the Caravelle compares with rivals, keep reading for our comprehensive review. And remember, if you’re in the market for a new family car, there is a good chance we can save you a few quid through our <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals">New Car Buying</a> page.

CARAVELLE

Spacious for seven but it’s pricey and rivals are more comfortable

Volkswagen Caravelle

The Volkswagen Multivan is undoubtedly an MPV for the modern age. Think back to a VW ‘van&nbsp;with windows’ of the past and you’ll see that this new Type 7 Multivan is a whole galaxy away from that. Simplicity is long gone, replaced by luxury and usability.

Indeed, the VW Multivan really is the multi-purpose vehicle its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/mpvs-and-people-carriers/n17001">MPV</a> categorisation promises. For a start, it's a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/7-seat-cars/n2344">seven-seater</a> that has two seats up front and five individual rear seats. Better still, the seats can be slid back and forth, reclined and even swivelled as required.

To ensure that everyone’s comfortable, there are separate climate control zones,&nbsp;and you can even specify voice assistance through an Amazon Alexa device.

<iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/K9-bjEtSDoQ" width="560"></iframe>

The VW T7 Multivan is big, so it must have the rudimentary underpinnings of a van, right? Nope. It’s actually based on the lengthened chassis from a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/golf/hatchback/review/n17371">VW Golf</a>.

The benefits of that are multiple, including allowing the Multivan to have much of the tech that already appears in the hatchback, plus an&nbsp;extensive range of powertrain options. It also allows <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/make/volkswagen">Volkswagen</a> to offer the van in two lengths – Standard and Long. They both have the same length between the front and rear wheels, but the Long model is longer behind the rear wheels.

For traditionalists, there’s a 2.0-litre diesel engine available, but there are also 1.5-litre and 2.0-litre petrol motors, and even a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/plug-in-hybrid-cars/n22743">plug-in hybrid</a>&nbsp;(PHEV) option. There’s no manual gearbox, though:&nbsp;most models are fitted with a seven-speed <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/automatic-gearboxes-everything-you-need-to-know/n17022">DSG&nbsp;automatic gearbox</a>&nbsp;while the 1.4-litre PHEV version has a six-speed DSG auto.

There are three trim levels available, called Life, Energetic and Style. Even entry-level Life has auto lights and wipers, keyless start, adaptive cruise control and a rearview camera. Energetic adds tri-zone climate control, electrically operated sliding side doors and a Harman Kardon audio system. Style includes heated front seats, VW’s Digital Cockpit Pro system and an Alexa web app.

Of course, the Multivan is still an&nbsp;MPV at heart, and in this respect is replacing&nbsp;the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/sharan/mpv/used-review/n920">VW Sharan</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/touran/mpv/review/n17348">VW Touran</a> models. However, its sheer size and vast interior means it’s up against a number of van-based competitors such as the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/tourneo-custom/mpv/review/n17556">Ford Tourneo Custom</a>, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/v-class/estate/review/n17287">Mercedes V-Class</a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/proace-verso/estate/review/n17331">Toyota Proace Verso</a>&nbsp;rather than more car-like models such as the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/galaxy/mpv/review/n142">Ford Galaxy</a>.

If you’re in the market, we can tell you just how well&nbsp;the Volkswagen Multivan stacks up next to its main rivals, and we'll also tell you which engine will best suit your needs, both motoring and financial.

Don’t forget, we can also help you&nbsp;save thousands of pounds off the list price of most makes and models of car. Simply check out the deals available through our free&nbsp;What Car? <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals">New Car Buying&nbsp;pages</a>.

MULTIVAN

MPV is better to drive and more sophisticated than rivals, and has an extensive engine range

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