The MPV

[WhipLash]

Now on to some serious motoring discussion, I hope.

I’ve noticed that over the last year or so that the MPV has grown substantially in popularity. I guess this was sparked off by the Renault Scenic – not much bigger then the medium hatchback yet big enough to carry five people in comfort with plenty of elbow room, and generous boot space too. Also the flexibility of being able to rearrange the seating ie slide, remove, recline, table etc and the higher seating position all make a very tempting package. Now other manufacturers have sat up and taken note. They have copied/improved on the Scenic concept and jumped on the bandwagon.

So who here own’s an MPV? How do you find their attributes compared to a hatch or saloon? Do you find that the higher driving position provides a more comfortable and relaxed driving experience? What are they like to drive, do they corner or are they simply top heavy on bends like a 4x4? Do you use all the flexibility that the MPV offers you, and do you find all that extra storage space useful? Has the MPV bug won you over? Would you buy another one?

So this leads me on to one big question. Have we witnessed the death of one type of car and the birth of another? Will the convenient, flexible and spacious MPV eventually replace the estate, and will the mini-MPV’s eventually replace the standard hatchback? Would you ever consider purchasing one?


[This message has been edited by WhipLash (edited 12 May 2000).]

[JGOD]

No, because they look like biscuit tins. I think that people with 2.4 children are silly to buy an MPV. When the 4 of us were kids we could all fit into a Renault 4, Ma and Da in the front and dog in the boot, without any probs. I mean how much bigger are kids these days???

[Chancer]

Judging by the increase of MPV’s on our roads, and the different carmakers that are bringing out their own models, I’d say the MPV is here to stay. It’s all about maximising interior room within while at the same time keeping similar exterior dimensions similar to a standard car. They may look clumsy and top heavy, but the more one thinks about them the more they seem like a better solution for a family car. I mean you can’t slide the individual back seats or even remove them in a hatch/saloon to adjust back leg room/boot space. In the Renault Scenic the middle seat can be moved nearer the front seat drivers – handy if you have a young baby that requires attention. The middle seat also folds down into a neat little table between the two outer seats – bet you didn’t have one of them in your Renault 4! MPV’s usually provide stacks of storage space – glove box, map holders, cooler box, under floor compartments, there’s plenty of space to store the kids toys etc. neatly. Also some people will say that the higher seating position is safer, giving the driver a better view of the road and surroundings, as well as allowing passengers to see more along the journey. I’ve also heard that you can feel ‘superior’ looking down upon the Golfs, Astras, Focus etc. I suppose it would be true to that that I’d consider one when I go to change the Almera.

[Justin]

We have a Scenic and I have nothing but praise for this car. It is quiet, refined, comfortable, spacious, versatile, very well equipped (enough gadgets to keep me happy) and quite nice to drive. It even makes me drive in a more relaxed way. Being higher off the road makes iteasier to load children in and out, also. I don't think I would go back to a normal car for family purposes. It has no *** appeal, however. But then you knew that.

[Phil]

I have to say that I don't ever think I'll see the day that I would drive a MPV. I think JGOD said it right when he said they looked like biscuit tins.

I do however like the Merc one, but I think i'm in a very small group of people who really like them. This is the only one IMHO that looses the biscuit tin effect.

But even when I have a few kids of my own, I rather go for an estate than a MPV.

Cheers Phil.