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Best MPVs for 2024

  • Parkers lists the best MPVs on sale
  • Five- to nine-seat options available
  • Choice of combustion and electric power

Written by Luke Wilkinson Updated: 30 April 2024

MPVs or people carriers aren’t as popular now as they were in the early 2000s. These days, drivers tend to favour SUVs as family cars for their slightly less dorky appearance. Plus, there are now plenty of options out there that offer enough space inside for seven passengers, such as the SEAT Tarraco, Land Rover Discovery and Tesla Model X, which has somewhat sullied the MPV’s main selling point.

Despite this change in buying trends, we still think there’s some life left in the people carrier class. The MPVs on sale today are incredibly versatile, offering flexible seating layouts, enormous amounts of storage space and surprisingly economical powertrains. Manufacturers have even learned how to make their MPVs appeal to fashion conscious buyers, by trimming them in tough-looking cladding lifted straight from the SUV style guide.

We’ve seen some fresh innovation in the class, too, which is encouraging to see in what we thought was yet another a niche pushed into the history books by the SUV craze. Manufacturers such as Dacia and BMW have adopted some truly innovative design approaches for their latest MPVs – and their boldness has produced some desirable and interesting cars.

Scroll down to read our round-up of the best MPVs on sale in the UK in 2024. The entries below include a brief description of each car’s merits but, if you want to learn more, we’ve also included links to our detailed reviews.

The Top 10 best MPVs on sale now

Volkswagen’s consummate family all-rounder, improved

The Volkswagen Multivan is the replacement for the old T6 Caravelle – and it’s a huge step forward. Despite its slab-sided styling and its rather misleading badge, the Multivan isn’t based on a van. It’s built on the same MQB underpinnings as the Golf, which means it’s way better to drive than the MPV it replaces, and it’s available with far fancier technology.
 
The Multivan’s interior is very customisable. You can rotate the second row, for example, to allow four passengers to sit and face each other – and you can even have a folding table for the middle of the cabin. Plus, if you need even more space, you can specify the Multivan in a longer body style which liberates an extra 200 litres of luggage capacity behind the third row.
 
Read our Volkswagen Multivan review

Pros

  • Better to drive than the old model
  • Flexible seven-seat cabin
  • PHEV option available

Cons

  • Not small or cheap
  • Thirsty petrol engines

Spacious and versatile, but it looks like a tradie's van

The Volkswagen Caddy is an incredibly sensible, practical purchase. Providing you don’t mind hauling your family around in what’s basically a light commercial vehicle, it will reward you with a stunning amount of space and flexibility. It’s a surprisingly customisable vehicle, too. You can spec it with either five or seven seats, short or long wheelbases and petrol or diesel power. And they’re all great.
 
For your own comfort and sanity, we’d recommend opting for the Life model if your budget can stretch to it. The most basic model is a little spartan, but Life variants add some helpful tech such as front and rear parking sensors, keyless go, electrically adjustable door mirrors and a digital gauge cluster. We’d also recommend you opt for the 122hp 2.0-litre diesel engine. It’s the most muscular engine in the range and feels far less strained when it’s laden down with stuff.
 
Read our Volkswagen Caddy review

Pros

  • Incredibly practical
  • Short and long wheelbase
  • Car-like interior

Cons

  • Frustrating infotainment
  • Noisy interior at speed

A charming family bus – but the Caddy makes better sense

Ford and Volkswagen have struck a deal for their latest generations of light commercial vehicles. Volkswagen was granted access to the new Ranger’s underpinnings, (on which it built the latest version of the Amarok), while Ford gained the Caddy platform for its new Tourneo Connect. And as we’ve discussed above, that’s a cracking place to start if you’re building an MPV.
 
However, while the Tourneo Connect is certainly more versatile than the electric-only Peugeot e-Rifter and Vauxhall Combo-e, it’s a slightly less attractive proposition than the Caddy because it isn’t as customisable and it’s slightly more expensive. Plus, the Volkswagen’s warranty has a higher mileage limit of 100,000 miles, compared to 60,000-miles with the Ford. Still, if you want a good MPV and are loyal to Ford’s branding, it’s worth a look.
 
Read our Ford Tourneo Connect review

Pros

  • Loads of space
  • Efficient engines
  • Good value

Cons

  • Caddy is more flexible
  • Fiddly infotainment

Now off-sale, but a great approved used choice

The S-Max went off sale in 2023 but an approved-used version is still a very appealing option. Most of the alternatives are vans that have been converted into people carriers – and this gives the S-Max an edge over the competition because it’s far more entertaining to drive. It shares its underpinnings with the old Mondeo, and it’s inherited that car’s keen cornering ability and responsive controls.
 
The S-Max also features the same 190hp petrol hybrid engine as the the Kuga SUV, which has enough grunt to mask car’s considerable bulk – even when it rammed to the gunnels with luggage. Its dynamic ability, seven-seat capacity and up to 2,200 litres of boot space make it a great choice for the petrolhead with a growing family.

Read our Ford S-Max review

Pros

  • Good to drive
  • Solid build quality
  • Enormous cabin

Cons

  • Rearmost seats are tight
  • It won’t be around much longer

Immensely practical, but limited by its electric range

In 2022, Citroen made the rather bold decision to only sell the Berlingo with an electric powertrain, which somewhat limited its appeal. However, that's been reversed and once again, you can buy a petrol or diesel version. The electric version is perfectly fine if you only need to do short journeys, but our testing suggests you’ll struggle to get more than 120 miles from its 50kWh battery – especially if you’re spending a lot of time on the motorway.
 
Battery capacity aside, there’s lots to like about the e-Berlingo. The standard model offers loads of space for passengers and luggage, and it has a very comfortable ride. However, if you need some extra practicality, you can opt for the long wheelbase XL model which has seating for seven or (if you tumble the third row forwards) an even bigger boot. And while the switch to electric power has jacked up the e-Berlingo’s price slightly, it’s still quite affordable for an EV.
 
Read our Citroen e-Berlingo review

Pros

  • Gigantic boot
  • Loads of passenger space
  • Laid back driving experience

Cons

  • Short electric range
  • EV power pushed up price

Don’t call it an MPV – BMW’s sales reps don't like it

Apparently, this isn’t an MPV. BMW doesn’t use that abbreviation in any of the car’s marketing material, instead saying the 2 Series Active Tourer is a vehicle that offers ‘a level of space and versatility to suit those with an active lifestyle.’ Look past BMW’s stubborn defiance, though, and you’ll find a fantastically well-rounded people carrier.
 
Yes, it only offers space for five passengers, but it’s exceptionally well-packaged, offering ample room for child seats and baby clobber or five adults. Its boot is also a generous size at 415 litres, while its upright styling and huge windows mean it a doddle to get into and see out of. Plus, because it shares its underpinnings with the BMW 1 Series, it’s great fun to drive. In fact, we reckon it’s the best driving MPV money can buy right now.
 
Read our BMW 2 Series Active Tourer review

Pros

  • Good head and leg room
  • PHEV is fast and frugal
  • Best MPV to drive

Cons

  • Noisy at motorway speeds
  • We’re still looking for its good side

Luxury MPVs don’t come roomier than this

The V-Class is an indulgently plush version of the Mercedes Vito van. So, not only is it very comfortable and very well-equipped, but you also get loads of scope for customisation. You can choose from either six-, seven- or eight-seat layouts, a choice of three wheelbases and even a posh campervan variant called the V-Class Marco Polo.
 
You have three powertrains to choose from. There are two 2.0-litre diesels with either 163hp or 237hp, while the zero-emission Mercedes EQV has a 204hp electric motor and a maximum range of 213 miles. A word to the wise – if you’re on the fence about buying a V-Class, now might be the time. Mercedes is about to launch an updated version of the MPV, which means you’ve got a better chance of getting a good deal on the outgoing model.
 
Read our Mercedes V-Class review

Pros

  • Can carry eight in comfort
  • Easy to drive despite its size
  • Loads of modern tech

Cons

  • Expensive to buy
  • Interior looks dated

Affordable, no-nonsense family transport at its best

Dacia knocked it out of the park with the Jogger. It’s an incredibly innovative piece of design, because it’s based on the same small car architecture underpinning the likes of the Sandero and the Renault Clio – but it’s been stretched as far as physically possible to make space for seven seats or up to 1,807 litres of luggage capacity. Plus, for a bit of extra kerb appeal, Dacia sprinkled the Jogger with some SUV styling cues, such as rugged body cladding and tough roof rails. We love it.
 
And it gets better. The Jogger might be 4.5 metres long but, because it’s basically a Clio underneath, it drives like a much smaller car. Its interior is clever, too. Dacia staggered the seating rows like a theatre, which it says helps to reduce motion sickness for those in the back because it gives everyone a clearer view out of the front. You can even have it with a self-charging hybrid powertrain that’ll return upwards of 50mpg.
 
Read our Dacia Jogger review

Pros

  • Bargain price tag
  • Seating for seven!
  • Comfortable suspension

Cons

  • No diesel option
  • Seats aren’t very flexible

Electric eight-seater delivers smoothness in spades

The formula for the e-Traveller (and its badge-engineered siblings, the Vauxhall Vivaro-e Life and Citroen e-SpaceTourer) was simple. Take a van, cut some windows into it, bolt some seats into the cargo area and put it on sale. This could have been disastrous from a refinement perspective but, thankfully, the e-Traveller’s chassis is also found under normal cars such as the such as the Peugeot 308 and Vauxhall Astra. That means it doesn’t feel too agricultural to drive.
 
Worryingly, it’s the same 50kWh battery pack and 136hp electric motor you’ll find in the much smaller Corsa Electric. Peugeot says the van has a maximum range of 143 miles, but we’ve seen that figure drop as low as 100 miles when the temperatures plummet. That means it’s only really suitable for local journeys.

Read our Peugeot e-Traveller review

Pros

  • Smooth, silent acceleration
  • Comfortable ride quality
  • Loads of interior space

Cons

  • Battery range is poor
  • You can’t have the van’s 75kWh battery

A familiar van-based MPV with a stunning 10-year warranty

No, you’re not losing your marbles. You haven’t just seen this MPV on this list – the Toyota Proace Verso is yet another badge-engineered version of the Peugeot Traveller and Citroen SpaceTourer. But, unlike its sister vehicles, it’s offered with a choice of two 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engines rather than an electric powertrain. Or at least it is for now.
 
Every other rebadged version of this MPV is now electric only – and, when Toyota launches the revised version of the Proace Verso later this year, there’s a strong chance it could go the same way. That would decimate its appeal for long-distance drivers, as it’ll probably have the same 100-odd mile range as its chassis siblings. However, it should still be offered with Toyota’s world-leading 10-year warrant, which might just be enough to compensate for the lack of range.

Pros

  • Industry-leading warranty
  • Convenient diesel power
  • Seating for up to nine

Cons

  • It’s about to be replaced
  • Diesel power might not hang around

Where have all the MPVs gone?

MPVs were all the rage in the 1980s and 1990s. Growing families leapt out of their saloons in droves and flocked to boxy people carriers such as the Ford Galaxy, Renault Espace and Toyota Previa for the practicality and flexibility they offered.

The biggest draw of an MPV used to be its third seating row – but the market has changed as manufacturers have responded to the SUV onslaught. Starting in the late 1990s and early 2000s, car brands experimented with different sized MPVs to keep the niche relevant.

Within a few years, most mainstream brands offered a variety of people carriers ranging from bijou supermini-sized ones, all the way up to gargantuan seven- and eight-seaters. A few quirky trailblazers were spawned along the way, such as the six-seat Fiat Multipla and the dinky Ford B-Max with its sliding rear doors.

Original Renault Espace

MPV or SUV?

Are you looking at a seven-seat Skoda Kodiaq and a Citroen Berlingo and trying to figure out the difference in functionality between the two cars? Here’s a tip – the MPV is the one that looks like a van. Good MPVs champion space above all else, and that boxy van-like silhouette is the most efficient way of packing passengers and luggage into a vehicle.

Manufacturers have realised this – so they’ve started basing their MPVs on their small and medium-sized panel vans. Along with the vast amounts of space, this brings benefits such as sliding rear doors, lots of headroom and slab sides, into which you can cut massive window holes to keep even the queasiest of car-sick children happy.

Flexible seating is also a must for an MPV. Most have seats that can slide back and forth, recline and even be removed, just in case you need to haul massive loads instead of people.

They’re wide, too. Have you ever tried fitting three Isofix child seats side by side in a regular hatchback or SUV? It’s impossible in the majority of cars, but most MPVs manage it easily.