Best large MPVs

SEAT Alhambra MPV

£23,535 - £32,590

With a clever seven-seat interior and a large boot, the SEAT Alhambra is all the MPV you’ll ever need! The car is spacious and practical inside, and thanks to a range of Volkswagen sourced engines it's incredibly fuel efficient. All diesel engines are equipped with stop/start systems, which cut the engine when the vehicle is stationary to save fuel. Don’t miss the excellent petrol powered 1.4-litre TSI version either. It combines its small size with a turbocharger and a supercharger to deliver impressive performance and economy. In simple terms, the new SEAT Alhambra is a restyled Volkswagen Sharan, but with a back to basics interior and unique styling. The SEAT Alhambra offers all the virtues of the more expensive Volkswagen for less money. That means you get an incredibly practical seven-seat MPV with a good range of engines and impressive handling and comfort.

Ford Galaxy MPV

£24,955 - £33,610

Ford's flagship MPV is built with one thing in mind: luxurious practicality - and it succeeds. It's massive, offering loads of space in the cabin and boot. Seven adults will fit comfortably, and both rows of rear seats fold flat into the floor. It's luxurious and surprisingly responsive to drive, too. Despite its bulk it doesn’t roll around like a big, tall van, and it's very comfortable to ride in. Entry-level Zetec models come with essentials like air-conditioning and electric windows, but Titanium versions are extremely well equipped. Of the diesels, the basic 113bhp version is weak, but the 138bhp and 161bhp engines are strong yet economical.

Peugeot 5008 MPV

£18,145 - £25,295

Compared to Peugeot's people carriers of old, the 5008 is an absolute revolution. The interior is well thought out and offers plenty of space and practicality, yet the 5008 is good to drive at the same time. Peugeot has improved its cabin quality markedly, and the 5008 feels very well built. On the road, comfort is impressive and for a people carrier, the 5008 is good looking. The Peugeot is a serious rival to the Citroen C4 Grand Picasso, but it's also good enough behind the wheel to take on drivers' favourites like the Ford S-MAX.

Ford S-MAX MPV

£22,600 - £32,360

There are plenty of boxy, dull to drive people carriers that claim to rival Ford's seven-seat S-MAX for practicality... But none are as good to look at, or feel as special from the driver's seat. Despite the generous dimensions, the S-MAX feels compact and nimble from behind the wheel. And although the two rearmost seats are for children only, they fold flat easily and there's a big boot. With all of the rear chairs folded flat, there's a huge 2,000 litres of cargo space. All models get air-conditioning and are generally well equipped. They should be, as the S-MAX is pricier than most rivals.

Volkswagen Sharan MPV

£24,205 - £33,375

The Volkswagen Sharan is a seven-seat MPV which seems built to last and boasts a large cabin with flexible seating for carrying large goods or large families. Unlike a lot of MPVs it boasts car-like handling and feels light on its feet on windy backroads. The engines are brilliant, offering frugal economy and punchy performance. The let-down is the high price-tag but some people will be willing to pay for the quality on offer here.

Kia Sedona MPV

£20,965 - £25,055

Kia's Sedona is a seven-seat MPV which has been around in its current form since 2006. It's got plenty of space in the cabin and there's a usable boot but some may be put off by the car's looks, which are starting to look a little bit dated. Apart from that, the only engine on offer – a 2.2-litre diesel – feels quite punchy and offers reasonable economy.

Citroën C4 Picasso MPV

£17,055 - £22,800

For families on a budget who need a large, comfortable car that can seat up to seven people, the Citroen C4 PIcasso is well worth a look. The interior is well designed for starters. The second row of seats feature a very clever lever system which means that climbing into the third row of seats is easy. It's safe too, achieving full marks during crash testing by Euro NCAP.

Mercedes-Benz R-class MPV

£43,775 - £47,930

The Mercedes R-Class is a big car with a very well made interior offering seating for up to seven people. Available in short and long wheelbase form the R-Class makes a great long distance tool but is not as fuel efficient as many of its competitors, even in entry level R 300 CDi form. It's expensive to buy too.

Hyundai Santa Fe SUV

£23,755 - £28,460

The Hyundai Santa Fe is one of the best all-rounders for large families. If you're looking for a value for money 4x4 with seven-seat capability and excellent reliability, little else comes close at this price range. The handsome body hides a spacious, well built cabin that absorbs almost all road and wind noise. It's even relatively frugal, the 2.2 CRDi diesel engine returns 41.5mpg when fitted with a manual gearbox.

Renault Grand Espace MPV

One of the first full-size MPVs on the market, the Renault Grand Espace remains an impressive people carrier, offering seven individual seats and a large boot. It also feels surprisingly car-like to drive, the huge windscreen provides an excellent view of the road. The diesel engines offer the best combination of economy and performance, we'd choose the 148bhp 2.0 dCi model.