There’s lots of other vehicles out there with similiar attributes to the Citroen Synergie, but few can match it’s all round cleverness and integrity.
Here’s some of the ones we know about, with a brief (biaised) appraisal. We welcome your feedback too!
Choosing an MPV, or camper van
1. VW T4: an older van very commonly seen as ex-AA van in bright yellow. Still overpriced, most converted to day vans are then unable to seat 7. Some suffer bad rust. Prices should drop as T5 follows suit. Probably most common choice for home conversion to day van or camper. The last generation of T4 were actually quite nice.
2. VW T5: tres expensive, super sexy as £40k California camper, huge following, popular with wanna-be surfers (real surfers show up in Clio vans!), doctors who want to surf. Looks showy & naff as a works van with large alloy wheels and signwriting.
3. Vauxhall Vivaro (Nissan / Renault)
Practical slab sided offering, lots about, vans keenly priced.
4. Mercedes Vito
Chunky looking van, and a nice compact size too. High price, early versions look dated.
5. Honda Stream (import)
Only available as petrol version, some pop top versions seen
6. Mazda Bongo / Ford Friendee (import)
Popular cheapy for those wanting practical and affordable mini camper. Electric pop top is fun but it’s as cold as a tent up there in our UK climate, so wrap up accordingly. Some owners remain delighted, but many sell due to inflexible interior, heavy fuel consumption, too high to get into car parks with high limit, seats don’t fold flat enough to make a comfortable bed, noisy on long runs, auto gearbox, rust.
7. Mazda 5
New to the market compact MPV just now coming on to the used market in 2010. Both stylish and practical, and bound to be long lived too knowing Mazda. Rear seats in boot at really for kids only as per Zafira. So much nicer than a Vauxhall!
8. Toyota MPV / Picnic
Basic, traditional multi purpose car, doesn’t really have any clever features that I’m aware of. Bland.
9. Honda Stepwagon
Nicely designed late a ’90′s dayvan, front engined, always seems to be petrol, imported.
10. Toyota Townace
Old school! Dayvan circa 1980s, this thing rocks. I’ve always wanted one of these, Very old now, but still worthy. There’s a 1990s update often named ‘Noah’.
11. VW Touran
Sturdy, reliable reputation, nice to drive, front engined, 7 seat option, avoid 1.6 petrol – it’s just a bit weedy laden on long drives. Still don’t know why us Brits are so wedded to the VW brand. They’re no more reliable than any other car, yet we pay handsomely for the privilage of owning one.
12. Fiat Doblo
Wow. You is one ugly car.
13. Citroen Berlingo
Small van growing in size with each generation. Popular for being super practical with huge load carting abilities. Spartan inside. Now has 7 seater version.
14. KIA Sedona
Mmm. Now I’m not liking these. They big, too big. Not clever, like small outside big inside. Just big. Everywhere.
15. Chrysler Gran Voyager
Was once the darling of the executive taxis, as used by Tony Blair. Now with fuel prices in the UK up to £1.20 a litre, thirsty barges like this are less than popular. Based on the classic American day van, they’re often automatic, and a bit plasticky.
16. Toyota Estima / Lucida
Hugely popular in 2003-05 in the UK, now prices have dropped so much that you can buy these circa 1993 for under a grand. Pretty tough vehicles, but not an enjoyable drive. Mid engined (ie: by drivers feet) means old fashioned diesel rumbles away audibly, over revving and heating up the cabin.
17. Ford S Max
Ooh, at last, an MPV that’s desirable! These do really go like the clappers.
18. Seat Alhambra, Ford Galaxy, VW Sharan
Similar in production release to the Synergie/Ulysse/806, this model has been a top selling people carrier for all 3 manufacturers sharing the same base for each car. The early model now has a little bit of the Ford Sierra styling about it. Many many unlovely examples flop around mirroring the urban decay which is their home. Now the mk2 is a much nicer proposition.
19. Hyundai Trajet
Can’t help thinking of the word tragic instead of Trajet.
20. Vauxhall Sintra
Large mpv that was launched and discontinued rather abruptly.
21. Fiat Multipla
Now we really liked this car. Especially the mk1 version. I found it annoying that the designers released a softer shaped front end version after some criticised it for being *ugly*. I blame a misguided marketing dept. It has so much we liked, so much clever design, with genuine innovation: 3 seats across the front being just one example.
Helping you choose
Reasons we’ve heard why people sell or change their MPV or people carrier:
>Not enough luggage room if carrying 6 occupants (families with 3 kids)
Solution was family sold Volvo estate 7 seater and bought Toyota Estima
