Small MPVs
Best in class:
Opel Meriva
The Meriva has recently been updated with an impressive new 1.6-litre diesel engine (which at last eradicates memories of the rattly, stall-prone old 1.7 unit) and some mildly-tweaked styling inside and out. Those backwards-opening doors are genuinely useful, especially if you're loading kids into the back seats, and the boot is usefully shaped and has an adjustable floor. It's also decent to drive and feels well built.
Best one: 1.6 CDTI SE for €23,295.
Also consider:
Citroen C3 Picasso
It's not perhaps the most obvious choice and lacks some of the flexibility of some rivals, but the Picasso is one of the few genuinely good-looking MPVs around, it's decently spacious and, crucially for a family car, prioritises comfort and refinement over driving dynamics.
Ford B-Max
Best sampled with Ford's terrific little three-cylinder EcoBoost engine, the B-Max has the advantage of its big sliding rear doors which open up a massive hole in the side of the body (no b-pillar in the way) which makes it ultra-useful in tight car parks.
A shame it lacks the usual sparkling Ford chassis, though, and the standard equipment list is quite mean.
Worth waiting for:
Kia Venga
It's a pretty subtle facelift, this one, but the Kia Venga is getting some updates for 2015, and will come with improved standard kit. Keeps the excellent seven-year warranty.
Launches Spring 2015
MPVs
Best in class:
Toyota Verso
Yes, it's very plain and no, it won't give you a little thrill of excitement every time you step outside the front door, but the Toyota Verso hits all the right marks when it comes to providing family transport. It's spacious, well made, has Toyota's enviable reliability record behind it and feels like the kind of car that will stand easily up to the sort of abuse and neglect my kids – I mean your kids – can hand out. The latest version using BMW's excellent 1.6-litre diesel engine is the one to go for.
Best one: 1.6 D4D Aura 7 Seat for €28,810.
Also consider:
Citroën C4 Picasso
One of the most popular people carriers around and it's not hard to see why. The space shuttle styling is cool, the diesel engine is efficient and the cabin is roomy, comfy and airy. The all-digital dash takes a bit of getting used to, but Citroën can't keep enough of these in stock.
Kia Carens
Big, handsome and with that brilliant seven-year warranty, the Carens takes everything we like about the Cee'd hatch and estate and adds a loft conversion. The only limitation is that the rearmost seats are a little tight on space compared to some rivals.
Worth waiting for:
Ford C-Max
The C-Max is getting a big update for 2015, and will be the latest Ford to get the "big grille" styling. It's always been the best in class to drive, but could do with a bit more boot space. The facelift won't fix that, but it will bring some new diesel and petrol EcoBoost engines as well as some cabin quality improvements.
Launches Autumn 2015
Large MPVs
Best in class:
Seat Alhambra
Now that the Volkswagen Sharan is no longer on sale, the big Seat is the one to go for. The basic 115hp 2.0-litre diesel is just fine, but the 140hp version does have some useful extra grunt if you're always hauling around a full load. Sliding side doors are a major bonus when getting in and out of what is quite a large machine in tight car parks, and the cabin quality and resilience is everything you'd expect from Seat. Best value, in what can be a very expensive market segment, by far.
Best one: 2.0 TDI 115hp S for €38,995.
Also consider:
Chrysler Voyager
An ageing design with a big, thirsty 2.8-litre diesel engine shouldn't really be very high on your list, but the Voyager gets by on a big dose of American charm, and it's one of the few vehicles where full-sized adults can actually get comfy in the third row. In spite of its age, it also manages to look pretty classy, but whether that's worth €10,000 extra over the Seat is up to you.
Mercedes V-Class
Speaking of paying big money for an MPV . . . The V-Class is utterly massive and can take a full complement of passengers with their luggage, but it does suffer from the limitations you'd expect of a car based on a commercial vehicle. It's big, bulky and not much fun to drive. Still, the appeal of the badge is inestimable and it's the one to go for if carrying capacity is your priority.
Worth waiting for:
Ford S-Max and Galaxy
These two are going to seriously shake up the big MPV class, which has become somewhat moribund as buyers trade down to more compact seven-seaters. Sharing chassis and engines with the impressive new Mondeo will help, and their lower CO2 emissions should put the sword to most of the competition.
Launches Summer 2015 (S-Max) and late 2015 (Galaxy).
