Full review: http://www.carbuyer.co.uk/reviews/volkswagen/sharan/mpv/review
The 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.
Ford S-MAX review - CarBuyer
Full review: http://www.carbuyer.co.uk/reviews/ford/s_max/mpv/review
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.
Ford Galaxy review - CarBuyer
Full review: http://www.carbuyer.co.uk/reviews/ford/galaxy/mpv/review
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.
SEAT Alhambra review - CarBuyer
Full review: http://www.carbuyer.co.uk/reviews/seat/alhambra/mpv/review
In simple terms, the new SEAT Alhambra is a Volkswagen Sharan, with a back to basics interior and unique styling. The SEAT Alhambra offers all the virtues of the more expensive Volkswagen for less money - which is why our judges named it Best Large MPV in our 2011 Car of the Year awards.
Volkswagen Touran review - CarBuyer
Full review: http://www.carbuyer.co.uk/reviews/volkswagen/touran/mini-mpv/review
The Touran's boxy shape might not make it the most attractive of cars, but it also makes the VW one of the most practical small MPVs available. The interior is classy and well built and there's a wide choice of engines, including an efficient BlueMotion version that's very cheap to run.
Vauxhall Zafira Tourer review - CarBuyer
Full review: http://www.carbuyer.co.uk/reviews/vauxhall/zafira-tourer/mpv/review
Think of the Vauxhall Zafira Tourer as a more upmarket and stylish replacement for the Zafira and a more direct competitor to the Ford S-MAX. As of its launch at the beginning of 2012 the Tourer will be sold side-by-side with the Zafira but with prices for the Tourer starting at £21,000 -- about £6,000 more than the car it effectively replaces. The engine line-up and chassis have both been updated for a more stable and involving driving experience with better performance and cheaper running costs. Our pick would be one of the 2.0-litre diesel engines -- the 163bhp unit in particular -- as we expect the petrols will be costly to run.
Watch our video review of the standard Vauxhall Zafira here: http://youtu.be/BdHMEu5FIxs
Volkswagen Eos review - CarBuyer
Full review: http://www.carbuyer.co.uk/reviews/volkswagen/eos/cabriolet/review
The stylish Eos is one the best looking coupe-cabriolets in its class. And now it has been improved with a redesign inspired by the latest Volkswagen Golf. Despite the new look, the Eos is still every bit as well built as before, and it still has its complex five-piece folding roof which effectively makes the Eos two cars in one -- a stylish hard top when the weather is bad, and a spacious open convertible when the sun shines.
Jeep Grand Cherokee review - CarBuyer
Full review: http://www.carbuyer.co.uk/reviews/jeep/grand-cherokee/suv/review
All-American off-road firm Jeep is part of the larger Chrysler organisation, which has been through a turbulent few years. First the company parted ways with Mercedes-Benz, then the recession hit the firm harder than most, but now Chrysler's future is looking a lot more stable under Fiat ownership. The Jeep Grand Cherokee is something of a transition model, as it uses a platform that's shared with the Mercedes-Benz M-Class, but it's powered by a 3.0-litre V6 diesel that was developed by Fiat.
The Seat Alhambra vs Ford Galaxy | drive it!
The two MPVs share a common history.The first generation of the people-carrier in 1995 was ultimately a joint production from Ford, Seat and Volkswagen. Although the collaboration ended three years later, with Ford developing the second generation of the Galaxy on its own, the basic structure of the carmakers' models remained virtually identical until 2006. The second generation of the Seat Alhambra has been on the market since 2010. Drive it! takes a closer look at the most powerful diesel versions of the two models. The Alhambra delivers 125 kW of power, the Galaxy delivers 147 kW. For more go http://www.dw.de/dw/0,,9690,00.html
SEAT Exeo review - CarBuyer
Full review: http://www.carbuyer.co.uk/reviews/seat/exeo/saloon/review
SEAT hadn't built a large saloon car before the Exeo, and so it drew on Audi's engineering expertise to help it do so. The Exeo is essentially an old Audi A4 with a redesigned exterior, so it's not the most advanced car around, but the Exeo is exceptionally well built and SEAT's value-orientated status means it's big on equipment. The choice of engines is a little limited for a saloon, but the ones that there are, especially the diesels, are reliable performers. Running costs and prices are pleasingly low, too.
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Smart Fortwo review - CarBuyer
Full review: http://www.carbuyer.co.uk/reviews/smart/fortwo/micro-car/review
If you're strictly a city driver, then the Smart ForTwo could be the perfect choice. The unusual looks make it a head-turner, while its minuscule dimensions mean it's incredibly easy to park. It's as wide as it is long, so you can even leave it parked at right angles to the kerb!
Honda Civic review - CarBuyer
Full review: http://www.carbuyer.co.uk/reviews/honda/civic/hatchback/review
The new Honda Civic is available to order from dealers now, with the first UK deliveries arriving in January 2012. Up against the Ford Focus and BMW 1 Series, the new Civic's styling is an evolution of the radical look of the previous edition, retaining the split rear window and short, curved bonnet. The new design gets LED running lights and a useful rear windscreen wiper.
compare it! VW Touran vs. Chevrolet Orlando | drive it!
Across Europe, the VW Touran ranks as one of the top five MPVs in its class. More than a million have been sold around the world. The Touran has been around since 2003, but underwent a major facelift last year. Now Chevrolet is hoping its Orlando can grab some of Volkswagen's market share. The American carmaker launched the Orlando in Europe earlier this year. Its design is unusual: half minivan, half crossover with flared wheel arches. And the Chevy's starting price is significantly lower than the Touran's. But will that be enough to overtake the VW? drive it! puts both MPVs through their paces.
Porsche Cayenne review - CarBuyer
Full review: http://www.carbuyer.co.uk/reviews/porsche/cayenne/sports-utility-vehicle/review
Porsche shook up the performance 4x4 marketplace when it introduced the big Cayenne. It shifted perceptions of how well a tall, heavy 4x4 could drive. All the engines provide ample performance, with even the entry-level V6 petrol and diesel models able to accelerate from 0-62mph in less than eight seconds.
Nissan X-Trail review - CarBuyer
Full review: http://www.carbuyer.co.uk/reviews/nissan/x_trail/sports-utility-vehicle/review
When it comes to practical family transport, the Nissan X-Trail is hard to beat. Front and four-wheel drive versions are available, both of which are good to drive. Nissan has long been renowned for its strong reliability record, and that shows no sign of changing in the X-Trail. Unlike many family 4x4s, the Nissan is actually very capable off-road, so if you need to venture off the beaten track it will do the job.
