Save £££s by buying a greener car. With road tax rates increasing in March 2009 and again the following year, owners of high-polluting vehicles will pay the biggest price.
Avoid paying more with these green people carriers...
1. Renault Grand Modus (08 on)
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Eco-friendly buyers have two frugal diesels to choose between, with the dCi 86 the greenest choice overall, while some of Grand Modus’ interior components are made from recycled plastic.
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2. Fiat Idea (04-07)
The name Idea actually stands for Intelligent Design, Emotion and Architecture. It's Fiat's answer to the Vauxhall Meriva and offers plenty of space in a relatively compact body shape. The greenest engine is the frugal 1.3-litre diesel.
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3. Ford Focus C-MAX (03 on)
Ford C-MAX is an excellent mid-size people carrier. It's based on the award-winning Ford Focus - so it benefits from excellent steering and tidy cornering. Inside, it's tastefully finished with an up-market look.
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4. Peugeot 307 SW (02-08)
The 307 SW blends attractive styling, practicality and roominess and takes the best bits from the 307 hatchback - including a wide choice of engines, good levels of safety and lots of room.
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5. Renault Scenic (03 on)
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The Scenic’s biggest asset is that it’s spacious and versatile, making it an ideal family choice for those who are more interested in flexibility than break-neck speed. 56mpg and low road tax - excellent for keeping costs down.
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6. Citroën Xsara Picasso (00 on)
A regular at the top of the best-selling MPV chart - but that's probably more to do with enticing offers from Citroën dealers, rather than it being the best in its class. Go for the 1.6-litre diesel to cut costs and emissions.
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7. Vauxhall Meriva (03 on)
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The Meriva shares components with the Corsa and Astra, adding practicality in a compact package. With flexible seating, a tall shape and lots of interior space, it's a decent little family car with added versatility.
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8. Renault Grand Scenic (04 on)
Renault takes on the Vauxhall Zafira and Volkswagen Touran with its seven-seat people carrier. It's a good effort too, with decent diesel and petrol engines, and a good quality, thoughtfully designed interior with plenty of clever touches.
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9. Renault Kangoo (99 on)
Simple, functional and spacious; the Renault Kangoo will appeal to family buyers looking for straightforward practicality. The van-like looks won't appeal to everyone, but buyers looking for a value-for-money holdall should be smitten.
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10. Hyundai Matrix (01 on)
Matrix is Hyundai’s take on the popular Compact MPV sector. The strange styling means there’s plenty of interior space, it’s quite practical and, like all Hyundai models, there’s plenty of standard kit.
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