Compact MPV
Encyclopedia
A compact MPV is a car classification
used in Europe to describe multi-purpose vehicle versions of small family cars (sometimes also referred to as "compact car
s"), fitting between the mini MPV
and large MPV sub-segments. In Japan, the term "space wagon" is sometimes used to refer to this type of vehicle.
The first vehicle to be described by that term was the Renault Scénic
, which was voted European Car of the Year
on its launch in 1996. Some later models include the Opel Zafira Tourer
, Citroën Xsara Picasso
, Ford Focus C-MAX
, SEAT Altea
, Volkswagen Touran
, Citroën C4 Picasso
, Peugeot 5008
and Fiat Multipla
. From 2010 the first six-seater electric MPV, the Optimal Energy Joule
, will be available.
Most compact MPVs have better "flexibility" than other body styles: for example, seats may be individually folded or even removed. Due to the multi-purpose architecture, the bonnet is shorter and the passengers sit more upright than in regular cars, providing for a roomier interior. Parking, can however be a lot harder than with any two- or three-box car because the driver cannot see the end of the bonnet.
Compact MPVs remain predominantly a European phenomenon, although they are also built and sold in many Latin American and Asian markets. Some compact MPVs are currently available in the United States and Canada, including the Mazda5, Chrysler PT Cruiser
, and Kia Rondo.
. Five and seven-seaters have a more traditional configuration — the first and (if present) third rows with two seats and the middle row with three. The two rear seats are usually smaller than the others, enough for children or for short distances. In some cars, these seats can only carry a limited weight (less than an adult's weight).
Some manufacturers offer the third row seating as an option, and a few offer two distinct models, one of them strictly five-seater, and the other with either fixed or removable additional sixth and seventh seat — examples include the Volkswagen Golf Plus / Touran
and the Citroën Grand C4 Picasso.
or estate, such as the Peugeot 307 SW
, Fiat Stilo MultiWagon
and Toyota Fielder
. These models are about as long as seven-seater compact MPVs or estate versions of small family cars (4420 mm and 4570 mm, 4515 mm and 4410 mm respectively), but their height is within a grey area: 1545 mm, 1570 mm, 1570 mm and 1520 mm, when estates are under 1500 mm and compact MPVs above 1600 mm tall. It is usually a different shape based on the original car model, just as estate cars are generally developed a from sedan car with the same body style.
There is a classification of Mid-Size MPV which fits between Compact MPV and Large MPV or Minivan. However the terms were not generally used and it is usually referred to as MPV
. Among the cars falling into this category are the Honda Odyssey
, Hyundai Trajet
, Kia Sedona, Mazda Premacy
, Mitsubishi Grandis
, Toyota Ipsum
, Honda Freed
, Proton Exora
, Toyota Wish
and Chery Eastar.
Many automakers are releasing modified compact MPVs with off-road accessories, either as a trim level or under a new nameplate. Examples of the first are the Renault Scénic Conquest and Seat Altea Freetrack, and of the latter the Volkswagen CrossGolf and CrossTouran. In some cases, a compact SUV
is released with shared platform and structural and mechanical elements with a compact MPV: the Volkswagen Tiguan
is such a case.
Car classification
Cars may be classified by a number of different criteria; however, comprehensive classification is elusive, because a vehicle may fit into multiple categories, or not completely satisfy the requirements for any. This article details the most commonly used systems of classification. Where...
used in Europe to describe multi-purpose vehicle versions of small family cars (sometimes also referred to as "compact car
Compact car
A compact car , or small family car , is a classification of cars which are larger than a supermini but smaller than or equal to a mid-size car...
s"), fitting between the mini MPV
Mini MPV
Mini MPV is a car classification used to describe superminis or subcompacts which have taller build, fitting below the compact MPV and large MPV classifications....
and large MPV sub-segments. In Japan, the term "space wagon" is sometimes used to refer to this type of vehicle.
The first vehicle to be described by that term was the Renault Scénic
Renault Scénic
The Renault Scénic is a compact MPV produced by French automaker Renault, the first to be labelled as such in Europe. It is based on the chassis of the Mégane small family car. It became 1997 European Car of the Year on its launch in late 1996...
, which was voted European Car of the Year
European Car of the Year
The European Car of the Year award was established in 1964 by a collective of automobile magazines from different countries in Europe. The current organisers of the award are Auto , Autocar , Autopista , Autovisie , L'Automobile Magazine , Stern and Vi Bilägare .The voting jury consists of motoring...
on its launch in 1996. Some later models include the Opel Zafira Tourer
Opel Zafira
The Opel Zafira is a compact MPV engineered and produced by the German automaker Opel. The Zafira is sold under the Vauxhall marque in the United Kingdom.- Zafira A :...
, Citroën Xsara Picasso
Citroën Xsara Picasso
The Citroën Xsara Picasso is a compact MPV released by Citroën in 1999. At the time of its release, two trim levels were available, LX and SX, with a choice of three engines two 1.6 and 1.8 litre petrols, and a 2.0 Litre HDI engine, all shared with the smaller Citroën Xsara. The Executive trim...
, Ford Focus C-MAX
Ford Focus C-MAX
The Ford C-Max is a compact MPV produced by Ford in Saarlouis for Europe since 2003 and in North America from 2011. Although C-MAX was initially available only in Europe, the first generation was partially available in New Zealand. The North American model will launch with the second generation...
, SEAT Altea
SEAT Altea
The SEAT Altea is a compact MPV produced by Spanish automaker SEAT, S.A. and named after Altea, Spain. The vehicle was designed by the Italian Walter de'Silva and launched in 2004 as the first example of SEAT's new corporate look...
, Volkswagen Touran
Volkswagen Touran
The Volkswagen Touran is a compact MPV based on a vertically-stretched fifth generation Volkswagen Golf Mk5, and sold in Europe and other select markets. It was launched in 2003 to fill a gap in Volkswagen's model lineup, below the Sharan large MPV...
, Citroën C4 Picasso
Citroën C4 Picasso
The Citroën C4 Picasso is a range of two compact MPVs, a five-seater and a seven-seater , unveiled by French automaker Citroën in August 2006 and presented at the 2006 Paris Motor Show in September 2006 for the seven-seater, and in January 2007 for the five-seater...
, Peugeot 5008
Peugeot 5008
The Peugeot 5008 is a compact MPV unveiled by French automaker Peugeot in June 2009 and has been on sale since late 2009. Five- and seven-seat versions are currently available...
and Fiat Multipla
Fiat Multipla
The Fiat Multipla is a compact MPV manufactured by Italian automaker Fiat since 1998. Based on the Brava, the Multipla is shorter and wider than its rivals. It has two rows of three seats, while all its competitors have two seats in the front...
. From 2010 the first six-seater electric MPV, the Optimal Energy Joule
Optimal Energy Joule
Joule is an electric five seat passenger car that is to be mass produced from 2014 by Optimal Energy, a South African company based in Cape Town. According to the company, it will have a nominal driving range of 300 km and a top speed of 135 km/h...
, will be available.
Most compact MPVs have better "flexibility" than other body styles: for example, seats may be individually folded or even removed. Due to the multi-purpose architecture, the bonnet is shorter and the passengers sit more upright than in regular cars, providing for a roomier interior. Parking, can however be a lot harder than with any two- or three-box car because the driver cannot see the end of the bonnet.
Compact MPVs remain predominantly a European phenomenon, although they are also built and sold in many Latin American and Asian markets. Some compact MPVs are currently available in the United States and Canada, including the Mazda5, Chrysler PT Cruiser
Chrysler PT Cruiser
The Chrysler PT Cruiser is a retro styled compact automobile launched by Chrysler as a 5-door hatchback in early 2000 and as a 2-door convertible in early 2005 ....
, and Kia Rondo.
Number of seats
Compact MPVs can be classified by their number of seats. Some compact MPVs referred to as six-seaters have three seats both in the front and rear row — examples are the Fiat Multipla and the Honda FR-VHonda FR-V
The Honda FR-V is a six-seater compact MPV introduced by Honda in 2004 and marketed until 2009. Alongside the Fiat Multipla, it is currently one of only two compact minivans with a 3+3 seating configuration available on the European market.-Engines:The FR-V is available with three petrol and one...
. Five and seven-seaters have a more traditional configuration — the first and (if present) third rows with two seats and the middle row with three. The two rear seats are usually smaller than the others, enough for children or for short distances. In some cars, these seats can only carry a limited weight (less than an adult's weight).
Some manufacturers offer the third row seating as an option, and a few offer two distinct models, one of them strictly five-seater, and the other with either fixed or removable additional sixth and seventh seat — examples include the Volkswagen Golf Plus / Touran
Volkswagen Touran
The Volkswagen Touran is a compact MPV based on a vertically-stretched fifth generation Volkswagen Golf Mk5, and sold in Europe and other select markets. It was launched in 2003 to fill a gap in Volkswagen's model lineup, below the Sharan large MPV...
and the Citroën Grand C4 Picasso.
Mixtures between compact MPVs and other car types
There are also models which are a mix of a compact MPV and a station wagonStation wagon
A station wagon is a body style variant of a sedan/saloon with its roof extended rearward over a shared passenger/cargo volume with access at the back via a third or fifth door , instead of a trunk lid...
or estate, such as the Peugeot 307 SW
Peugeot 307
The Peugeot 307 is a small family car produced by the French Peugeot manufacturer since 2001. It was awarded the European Car of the Year title for 2002, and continues to be offered in China and certain South American markets through 2009 despite the French launch of the 308 in September...
, Fiat Stilo MultiWagon
Fiat Stilo
The Fiat Stilo is a small family car available as a 3-door and a 5-door hatchback, as well as an estate , produced by the Italian automaker Fiat Automobiles. The Stilo 3-door and 5-door were launched in 2001 to replace the Fiat Bravo/Brava, with the Stilo MultiWagon following in 2002...
and Toyota Fielder
Toyota Corolla
The Toyota Corolla is a line of subcompact and compact cars manufactured by the Japanese automaker Toyota, which has become very popular throughout the world since the nameplate was first introduced in 1966. In 1997, the Corolla became the best selling nameplate in the world, with over 35 million...
. These models are about as long as seven-seater compact MPVs or estate versions of small family cars (4420 mm and 4570 mm, 4515 mm and 4410 mm respectively), but their height is within a grey area: 1545 mm, 1570 mm, 1570 mm and 1520 mm, when estates are under 1500 mm and compact MPVs above 1600 mm tall. It is usually a different shape based on the original car model, just as estate cars are generally developed a from sedan car with the same body style.
There is a classification of Mid-Size MPV which fits between Compact MPV and Large MPV or Minivan. However the terms were not generally used and it is usually referred to as MPV
MPV
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. Among the cars falling into this category are the Honda Odyssey
Honda Odyssey
Honda Odyssey can refer to three motor vehicles manufactured by Honda:* Honda Odyssey , a minivan sold in Japan and other parts of the world* Honda Odyssey , a minivan sold primarily in the United States and Canada...
, Hyundai Trajet
Hyundai Trajet
The Hyundai Trajet ) is a 7-seater multi-purpose vehicle that is manufactured by Hyundai Motor Company...
, Kia Sedona, Mazda Premacy
Mazda Premacy
The Mazda Premacy is a compact MPV built by the Japanese manufacturer Mazda since 1999 and now in its second generation .The first generation Premacy was built in Japan and exported to Europe and Asia...
, Mitsubishi Grandis
Mitsubishi Grandis
The Mitsubishi Grandis is a seven seat MPV built by Mitsubishi Motors to replace its Chariot/Space Wagon/Nimbus line. It was launched on May 14, 2003 and is sold in Japan, Asia, Europe, Oceania, Mexico, Honduras, Jamaica, and South America...
, Toyota Ipsum
Toyota Ipsum
The Toyota Ipsum, Picnic, SportsVan or Avensis Verso is a seven-seater multi-purpose vehicle produced by Japanese automaker Toyota.- First generation :...
, Honda Freed
Honda Freed
The Honda Freed is a Mini MPV produced by the Japanese automaker Honda since 2008. The vehicle is a replacement for the Honda Mobilio. The Freed is based on the Jazz/Fit platform. Three different versions of the Freed are available: a seven-seat version which features captain’s seats in the second...
, Proton Exora
Proton Exora
The Proton Exora is a compact MPV vehicle produced by Malaysian car manufacturer Proton and launched on 15 April 2009. It is a new model from Proton based on a new chassis. The development of this MPV started from scratch and it is the first Malaysian-designed MPV...
, Toyota Wish
Toyota WISH
The Toyota WISH is a Compact MPV produced by Japanese automaker Toyota since 2003. It is available as a six and seven-seater, equipped with either a 1.8 or 2.0-litre gasoline engine...
and Chery Eastar.
Many automakers are releasing modified compact MPVs with off-road accessories, either as a trim level or under a new nameplate. Examples of the first are the Renault Scénic Conquest and Seat Altea Freetrack, and of the latter the Volkswagen CrossGolf and CrossTouran. In some cases, a compact SUV
Compact SUV
Compact SUV is a class of small sport utility vehicles with a length roughly between . This class should not be confused with mini SUV, which refers to smaller vehicles.- Background :...
is released with shared platform and structural and mechanical elements with a compact MPV: the Volkswagen Tiguan
Volkswagen Tiguan
Volkswagen Tiguan is a compact crossover vehicle initially built by the German automaker Auto 5000, but now built by Volkswagen, based on the PQ35 platform of the Volkswagen Golf. Production started in the winter of 2007 in Wolfsburg, Germany, and started selling shortly after...
is such a case.