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Best MPVs and people carriers 2026: seven roomy family cars compared

Updated 7 cars in this ranking

An MPV, or people carrier, is built around space: a tall, boxy body, often sliding rear doors and seats that fold or come out. The seven models below cover every budget in Europe in 2026, from a Peugeot Rifter seven-seater for about €31,000 to the electric Volkswagen ID. Buzz. ADAC lists two sliding side doors as standard on the Berlingo, Rifter, Grand Kangoo and Staria, which makes loading children in tight car parks much easier.

Quick picks

The table lists the seat count, boot space and price of one version of each model, as listed by ADAC, Germany's motoring club, or published on English-language Wikipedia for the Volkswagen Multivan and ID. Buzz.

Model (version)SeatsLengthBoot (seats up)Euro NCAPList price from, Germany
VW Multivan (T7, short wheelbase)74,973 mm469 l5 stars, 2022–
VW ID. Buzz (short wheelbase)54,712 mm1,121 l5 stars, 2022–
Citroën Berlingo XL (Diesel 130)54,753 mm1,050 l4 stars, 2018€28,970 (2026)
Peugeot Rifter L2 (Diesel 130)74,755 mm322 l4 stars, 2018€30,720 (2026)
Renault Grand Kangoo (TCe 130)74,911 mm500 l4 stars, 2021€33,400 (2025)
Hyundai Staria (1.6 T-GDI HEV)95,253 mm831 l–€49,500 (2024)
VW Touran (1.5 TSI)––––€41,995 (2024)

Need seven seats in an SUV body instead? The Škoda Kodiaq is offered with a third row. For a used family load-lugger, see the best used diesel estates.

  1. 1. Volkswagen Multivan T7

    Best overall

    Production years
    2021–present
    Body type
    Minivan / MPV
    Fuel
    Petrol, Diesel, Plug-in hybrid
    Power output
    100–180 kW (136–245 PS)

    The seventh-generation Multivan has been built in Hanover since November 2021 and uses the MQB Evo platform. Seven seats are standard, the middle-row seats swivel up to 180 degrees, and Volkswagen made the rear seats 25 per cent lighter so they are easier to remove. With all seats in place there are 469 litres, rising to 3,672 litres without the second row. Engines include 1.5 and 2.0 TSI petrols, a 2.0 TDI and an eHybrid plug-in with 160 kW. Euro NCAP awarded five stars in 2022. The drawback: the short version is already 4,973 mm long.

    Pros

    • Seven seats with swivelling middle row
    • Plug-in hybrid with 160 kW
    • Five-star Euro NCAP (2022)

    Cons

    • 4,973 mm long even in short form

    Spec sheet: Volkswagen Multivan T7 1.5 TSI 100 kW (136 PS)

    Full review: Volkswagen Multivan T7

  2. 2. Volkswagen ID. Buzz I

    Best electric MPV

    Production years
    2022–present
    Body type
    Minivan / MPV, Van
    Fuel
    Electric
    Power output
    125–250 kW (170–340 PS)

    The production ID. Buzz was unveiled in March 2022 and is built in Hanover. The short-wheelbase model has a 77 kWh usable battery, 150 kW and up to 1,121 litres behind its rear bench. The long-wheelbase version, 4,962 mm long, seats seven, has an 85 kWh battery and offers 210 kW, or 250 kW as the all-wheel-drive GTX. DC charging reaches 170 kW, enough for 5 to 80 per cent in about 30 minutes. Euro NCAP scored it 92 per cent for adults and 90 per cent for safety assist in 2022. The drawback: seven seats need the long version.

    Pros

    • 1,121-litre boot (short wheelbase)
    • 170 kW DC charging
    • 92 per cent Euro NCAP adult score

    Cons

    • Seven seats only in the long-wheelbase model

    Spec sheet: Volkswagen ID. Buzz I Pro 77 kWh 150 kW (204 PS)

    Full review: Volkswagen ID. Buzz I

  3. 3. Citroen Berlingo K9

    Best value

    Production years
    2018–present
    Body type
    Minivan / MPV, Van
    Fuel
    Petrol, Diesel, Electric
    Power output
    74–96 kW (101–131 PS)

    The third Berlingo has been on sale since 2018 and was facelifted in 2024. The long XL version is 4,753 mm long and 1,844 mm tall and has two sliding rear doors as standard. ADAC lists 1,050 litres of boot space with five seats for a German list price of €28,970 for the XL Diesel 130. The 96 kW (130 PS) diesel uses 5.6 l/100 km WLTP, and ADAC estimates the total cost at €782 a month. The drawbacks: towing is limited to 1,250 kg, and Euro NCAP gave four stars in 2018.

    Pros

    • 1,050-litre boot
    • Two sliding doors as standard
    • From €28,970

    Cons

    • Four-star Euro NCAP (2018)
    Full review: Citroen Berlingo K9

  4. 4. Peugeot Rifter I

    Cheapest seven-seater

    Production years
    2018–present
    Body type
    Minivan / MPV
    Fuel
    Petrol, Diesel, Electric
    Power output
    55–100 kW (75–136 PS)

    The Rifter has been sold since 2018 and was facelifted in 2024. In long L2 form with seven seats and the 96 kW (130 PS) diesel it costs from €30,720, the cheapest seven-seater here. ADAC lists 5.8 l/100 km WLTP, two sliding doors and a total cost of €792 a month. With all seats folded the load area reaches 3,500 litres. Petrol, short L1 and electric e-Rifter versions are also offered. The drawbacks: only 322 litres remain with seven seats up, it takes 11.9 s to reach 100 km/h, and Euro NCAP gave four stars in 2018.

    Pros

    • Seven seats from €30,720
    • Up to 3,500 litres of load space
    • Electric e-Rifter available

    Cons

    • 322-litre boot with seven seats

    Spec sheet: Peugeot Rifter I 1.2 PureTech 110 81 kW (110 PS)

    Full review: Peugeot Rifter I

  5. 5. Renault Kangoo III

    Best seven-seater for towing

    Production years
    2021–present
    Body type
    Minivan / MPV, Van
    Fuel
    Petrol, Diesel, Electric
    Power output
    55–96 kW (75–131 PS)

    The third Kangoo arrived in 2021, and the long Grand Kangoo adds a third row. The TCe 130 petrol version is 4,911 mm long, seats seven, has two sliding doors and keeps 500 litres of boot space with the seats up, far more than the Rifter. It may tow 1,500 kg braked and costs from €33,400 in Germany. Diesel and electric versions are listed too. The drawbacks: it uses 7.3 l/100 km WLTP, needs 13.5 s to reach 100 km/h, and Euro NCAP gave four stars in 2021, with 76 points.

    Pros

    • 500 litres with seven seats
    • 1,500 kg braked towing
    • Two sliding doors

    Cons

    • 7.3 l/100 km WLTP and four-star Euro NCAP (2021)
    Full review: Renault Kangoo III

  6. 6. Hyundai Staria US4

    Most seats

    Production years
    2021–present
    Body type
    Minivan / MPV, Van
    Fuel
    Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid, Electric, LPG / CNG
    Power output
    130–200 kW (177–272 PS)

    The Staria is the largest people carrier here: 5,253 mm long, 1,990 mm tall and listed by ADAC with nine seats. Since November 2024 it has been sold in Germany as a 1.6 T-GDI hybrid with 165 kW (225 PS). Even with all seats in use the boot holds 831 litres. Hyundai covers the car for three years and gives a mobility guarantee for life up to 200,000 km with dealer servicing. An electric Staria is listed from 2026. The drawbacks: it uses 7.6 l/100 km WLTP, and ADAC estimates the cost at €1,106 a month.

    Pros

    • Nine seats
    • 831-litre boot with all seats in use
    • Hybrid with 165 kW

    Cons

    • ��1,106 a month total cost

    Spec sheet: Hyundai Staria US4 2.2 l CRDi 130 kW (177 PS)

    Full review: Hyundai Staria US4

  7. 7. Volkswagen Touran II

    Best used compact MPV

    Production years
    2015–2026
    Body type
    Minivan / MPV
    Fuel
    Petrol, Diesel, LPG / CNG

    The second Touran was built from 2015 to 2026 as a compact MPV. Its last versions, listed by ADAC until April 2026, started at €41,995 for the 1.5 TSI with 110 kW (150 PS), with a 2.0 TDI from €43,095. As a used buy it has a good record: ADAC counts 4.5 breakdowns per 1,000 for 2023 cars and 5.8 for 2022, and lists it among the best cars of its class. The drawbacks: it is no longer sold new, and cars registered from 2016 to 2019 record over 12 breakdowns per 1,000.

    Pros

    • 4.5 breakdowns per 1,000 (2023 cars)
    • 1.5 TSI with 110 kW (150 PS)
    • Petrol and diesel choice

    Cons

    • No longer sold new; 2016–2019 cars weaker
    Full review: Volkswagen Touran II

How we chose

Selection. The list covers MPVs and passenger versions of van-based people carriers sold in Europe in 2026 with a published model page on 1cars. The Volkswagen Touran is included as an outgoing model, because ADAC lists its last versions until April 2026. The Volkswagen Caddy and Kia Carnival were considered, but their ADAC pages could not be read or they are not sold in Germany.

Data sources. Seats, dimensions, boot volumes, towing limits, consumption, warranty terms, Euro NCAP results, ADAC monthly cost estimates and German list prices come from the ADAC Autokatalog pages for the named versions (accessed October 2026). Volkswagen Multivan and ID. Buzz figures, including their Euro NCAP percentages, come from English-language Wikipedia, because the ADAC pages for those models could not be read. Other Euro NCAP stars with their test year come from the 1cars catalogue.

Ranking. The order is editorial. It weighs space, flexibility, safety, running costs and price, and it is not a test score. ADAC's monthly costs assume five years and 15,000 km a year. More detail is on the 1cars pages for the Volkswagen Multivan and Volkswagen ID. Buzz.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best seven-seat MPV?

The Volkswagen Multivan. It seats seven as standard, its second-row seats swivel up to 180 degrees, and it still carries 469 litres with all seats in place. Euro NCAP awarded it five stars in 2022.

Which MPV has the biggest boot?

Behind the rear bench, the five-seat Volkswagen ID. Buzz with 1,121 litres, followed by the Citroën Berlingo XL with 1,050 litres and the nine-seat Hyundai Staria with 831 litres.

What is the cheapest seven-seat MPV?

The Peugeot Rifter L2 with seven seats costs from €30,720 in Germany, and ADAC estimates its total cost at €792 a month. The Renault Grand Kangoo seven-seater costs from €33,400.

Are van-based MPVs safe?

They score lower than the latest cars. The Berlingo and Rifter received four Euro NCAP stars in 2018 and the Kangoo four stars in 2021, while the Multivan and ID. Buzz earned five stars in 2022.

Is there an electric MPV?

Yes. The Volkswagen ID. Buzz has a 77 kWh usable battery in short-wheelbase form and charges at up to 170 kW DC. Peugeot also offers an electric e-Rifter, and Hyundai lists an electric Staria from 2026.

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