These cars might not ooze flair and the driving experience is not that inspiring, but they can't be beat when it comes to quality, writes Paddy Comyn
Opel Zafira
PRICE:€26,145-36,895
NCAP CRASH TEST:* * * * *
SEATS:7
DOORS:5
ENGINES:1.6, 1.8, 2.0, 2.2, 1.9D
TRIM LEVELS:Life, Club, Design, SRi
CO2:165g/km - 230g/km
Quality and Reliability:* * * *
For a car that sells in such huge numbers the Zafira feels really well put together and there was a big jump in quality between this Zafira and the first generation one. The plastics are better quality and the mechanism for folding the seats has a solid feel so it should be long lasting.
Performance:* * *
The 105bhp 1.6-litre petrol engine is the big seller, with this providing just about enough guts for normal everyday stuff. Better still are the 140bhp 1.8-litre petrol or the 120bhp and brilliant 150bhp 1.9-litre diesel engines. There are 200bhp and 240bhp 2.0-litre Turbo versions for those who don't want to swap a family for fun. Ignore the 150bhp 2.2-litre petrol.
At the wheel:* * * *
The Zafira has a very car-like layout so it never feels like you are driving a people carrier. It is also blessed with a really good chassis and this makes it one of the better cars to drive in its class, alongside the Focus C-Max. Get one with a bit of guts, such as the 150bhp diesel, if you want to get the best from this excellent handling. Most will simply appreciate the car's easy to drive nature.
Space and Comfort:* * * * *
The reasons for this being the best-selling car in its class would be little to do with its looks and engines, but more about the way it is packaged and the Zafira is a really clever family car that makes incredible use out of the available space. The rear two seats fold flat into the floor when not in use, leaving a generous boot in their place, and the whole seating operation, Flex 7, is very easy to use. You can also slide the middle row of seats to give more space for passengers or luggage as required.
Safety:* * * *
It gets the full host of safety equipment, which is vital in this class of car, so you get a plethora of airbags (twin side, front and head), ABS brakes, Electronic Brake Force Distribution and Cornering Brake Control. A seat occupancy detection system works out whether the ISOFIX-equipped front passenger seat is occupied or fitted with a transponder-equipped child seat. The system disables the airbag if necessary. ESP-Plus is standard on Design and SRi models and is an €800 option on Life and Club models and €849 on models with a 2.0-litre engine or bigger.
Running costs and depreciation:* * * *
The 1.6-litre petrol and 1.9-litre diesel engines make the most sense in terms of both keeping the fuel and tax bills down and getting the best at trade-in time. The bigger engine versions will be hard to shift on so stick to the popular models.
THE CONCLUSIONS
For:Brilliant packaging, good engines, good safety features. Against:Still a little dull to drive.
The Irish TimesVerdict:Ticks all the family boxes. No wonder it is the best seller.
Best Buy:If budget allows, one of the diesels.
Ford C-Max
Price:€22,139-33,350
NCAP Crash Test:* * * * *
Seats:5
Doors:5
Engines:1.6, 1.8, 1.6D, 1.8D, 2.0D
Trim Levels:Activ, LX, Titanium, Ghia
CO2:127g/km - 169g/km
Quality and Reliability:* * * *
The C-Max is a quality product. It just feels and sounds better built than many of its rivals and revisions to the model have further added to this. The doors thud nicely and the interior finish, while a little bland, is very solid. The seat mechanisms need to be solidly built too in cars like these and they are just that.
Performance:* * * *
The entry-level 1.6-litre petrol engine with 100bhp is fine for most buyers and offers decent performance. The 125bhp FlexiFuel version is now the cheapest car, however, so you can get more power for your money. The diesels are great if you need to travel longer distances, with the 1.6-litre offering 89bhp, the 1.8-litre 115bhp and the top of the range 2.0-litre TDCI offering 136bhp.
At the wheel:* * * * *
A good driving position, cleverly thought-out layout and a brilliant chassis make the C-Max the best car to drive in its class. This really doesn't feel like an MPV and on the road is every bit as agile and competent as the standard Focus. This agility is not at the expense of comfort either, which is great.
Space and Comfort:* * * *
A criticism of the C-Max was that it wasn't offered with seven seats, but then Ford went and made the S-Max, so the message is pretty clear - buy the C-Max if five seats is enough for you. The ride is a little on the firm side, so you will find more comfort in a Renault Scenic.
Safety:* * * *
Scores four stars in EuroNCAP crash tests. Standard equipment includes the essential ABS anti-lock brakes (with Brake Assist and electronic brakeforce distribution), driver, passenger, side thorax and side curtain airbags, five three-point seatbelts, anti-submarining seat cushions and front seatbelts with load limiters and pretensioners. An electronic stability programme (ESP) is optional.
Running costs and depreciation:* * *
The C-Max doesn't appear to hold its value as well as the Toyota Corolla Verso. However, it is cheaper to buy in the first place.
Servicing costs will be average and if you stick to the smaller engines then they are cheap to run.
The FlexiFuel version is subject to a VRT reduction so it makes sense to buy.
THE CONCLUSION
For:Looks good, drives well, high quality. Against:Not that versatile, firm-ish ride.
The Irish TimesVerdict:While we still don't understand a five-seat people carrier, this is the best one to buy.
Best Buy:1.8 FFV Activ
Citroën C4 Picasso
Price:€26,400-41,000
NCAP Crash Test:* * * * *
Seats:5/7
Doors:5
Engines:1.8, 2.0, 1.6D, 2.0D
Trim Levels:Ambiance, Dynamique, Privilege, Exclusive
CO2:150g/km - 190g/km
Quality and Reliability:* * * *
Citroën has really stepped up its game in terms of quality with the latest Picasso. The panel gaps on the outside are tight and inside the quality of the materials used is worthy of note. It is a little too early to make any guesses on reliability as this has yet to really settle into the market properly.
Performance:* * *
The 1.6-litre diesel engine with 110bhp is likely to be the best-seller and is fine for most people's needs but certainly isn't lively. Better is the 2.0-litre HDi which feels really strong. Don't bother with either of the petrol engines, simple as that.
At the wheel:* * * *
You get a good, high driving position here and this makes visibility excellent. Many of the controls are on the steering wheel, which takes a little getting used to but it is a clever system. The five-seater feels a little more agile on the road than the seven-seater, with the larger car feeling somewhat cumbersome.
Space and Comfort:* * * *
Whether you choose the five-seat or seven-seat version, these are generously proportioned MPVs, with plenty of head, leg and shoulder room. The Grand Picasso offers the extra seating room but doesn't have a massive boot. All five rear seats do fold flat into the floor and in the five-seat model the rear seats fold flat to create a huge boot. The Exclusive model gets air suspension for added comfort.
Safety:* * * * *
There are multiple airbags, and you get ABS and ESP as standard. Scored five-stars in the Euro NCAP safety tests. This is one of the safest ways to transport your family about.
Running costs and depreciation:* * *
Hard to tell yet what the depreciation will be like as this is a new model, but Citroën has not always done well in this area thanks to its previous discounting policies.
THE CONCLUSION
For:Nice styling, clever interior, good diesels. Against:Range is too complicated.
The Irish TimesVerdict:Well worth a look. In either five- or seven-seat guise it's a worthy buy.
Best Buy:1.6 HDi Privilege
Toyota Corolla Verso
Price:€€26,380-37,380
NCAP Crash Test:* * * * *
Seats:7
Doors:5
Engines:1.6, 1.8, 2.2D
Trim Levels:Terra, Luna, Sol
CO2:167g/km - 184g/km
Quality and Reliability:* * * * *
This is a vehicle you might not even notice on the roads but it really is one of the best cars in its class. It feels really well made both inside and out and from reliability survey evidence you just know it will be a car that will be very easy to live with.
Performance:* * * *
The big seller is the 110bhp 1.6-litre petrol model and this will be urgent enough for most buyers in this class and is a worthy entry-point. Next up is the 129bhp 1.8-litre which provides more pep but doesn't find many homes and the 2.2-litre diesel is a superb engine, with 136bhp and 310Nm of torque but the engine size makes it a little too pricey.
At the wheel:* * * *
Again, this is not an MPV that tries to be a sports car, but the Corolla Verso does have very competent, assured handling and this makes it a very easy and very comfortable car to drive. The cabin is a little plain but everything is where it should be and works as it should.
Space and Comfort:* * *
The problem with the Corolla Verso is simple - it just isn't big enough. There is a third row of seats and the way they fold out from the floor is very clever but the room they provide isn't the best and when the seats are up at the rear the luggage space almost disappears.
In order to cram in a third row of seats, the base of the second and third row seats are short. Next time they really need to make this car longer and wider.
Safety:* * * *
Toyota has obtained the top, five-star rating in Euro NCAP's independent crash tests. There are nine airbags fitted as standard: two front airbags, four side airbags, two curtain airbags and a knee airbag to prevent the driver's legs hitting the dashboard.
ISOFIX child seat mounts are fitted to the rear seats. ESP is an optional extra.
Running costs and depreciation:* * * *
These cars are very strong at holding their value and this is down to Toyota's outstanding reputation for reliability. Mechanically these cars are first class so will be easy to run.
THE CONCLUSION
For:Well made, good engines, strong reputation. Against:Could be a little bigger in boot.
The Irish TimesVerdict:A high-quality MPV that drives well; it just could be packaged better.
Best Buy:1.6 Luna
Renault Scenic/Grand Scenic
Price:€24,100-39,500
NCAP Crash Test:* * * * *
Seats:5/7
Doors:5
Engines: 1.4, 1.6, 2.0, 1.5D, 1.9D
Trim Levels:Royale, Dynamique, Monaco, Conquest
CO2: 137g/km - 205g/km
Quality and Reliability:* * * *
These cars have to put up with a whole lot of abuse so they need to be built tough.
There is no doubt that Renault have not always enjoyed the best reputation when it comes to quality but there have been improvements of late and the Scenic is certainly sturdy enough.
Performance:* * * *
Renault do a decent job at getting good amounts of power from small capacity engines. The Scenic is available at entry-level with a good value 1.4-litre with 100bhp or an 85bhp 1.5-litre diesel.
The 1.6-litre petrol engine with 110bhp features in both the Scenic and larger Grand Scenic model, the latter also coming with the option of a more powerful 105bhp diesel, 130bhp 1.9-litre diesel or 136bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine.
At the wheel:* * * *
Unlike the Zafira and C-Max, which feel very agile, the Scenic and Grand Scenic are more about comfort and ease of use and this is no bad thing.
The controls are light, the steering is light and visibility all-round is good, with a commanding view of the road.
Space and Comfort:* * * *
The Scenic is the five-seater and the Grand Scenic, which has a wheelbase that is 51mm longer, is the seven-seater, so this is a pretty straightforward choice - you buy the extra seats if you need them.
The really clever thing about both cars is the way the space is used.
These are really well packaged vehicles.
There are lots of underfloor compartments, storage trays and bins for things and there is plenty of head and legroom for everyone.
Safety:* * * * *
Gained the full five-stars in the Euro NCAP safety tests.
The standard safety equipment includes twin front and side airbags, side curtain air bags, three-point rear seatbelts for all, seatbelt pre-tensioners on front and outer rear seats and three-point isofix child seat mount points on the front passenger seat and outer rear seats.
Anti-lock breaks with electronic brakeforce distribution and emergency brake assist are included as well as Electronic Stability Programme with ASR Traction Control.
Running costs and depreciation:* * * *
The small engines are cheap to run and servicing costs are very reasonable.
Residuals are reasonably stable too because these cars are always in demand and are represent pretty good value in the first place.
THE CONCLUSIONS
For:Clever design, safety features. Against:Not very involving to drive, patchy quality in places.
The Irish TimesVerdict:Bought mainly for function over desirability but still seriously competent for families . Best Buy:Grand Scenic Dynamique Monaco 1.5 dCi