For comfort and moving large numbers of people - such as family and friends - a large MPV can be the answer, writes Paddy Comyn
FORD GALAXY
Price:€35,405 - €44,405
NCAP Crash Test:* * * * *
Seats:7
Doors:5
Engines:2.0, 1.8D, 2.0D
Trim levels:LX, Zetec, Ghia
CO2:166g/km - 197g/km
Quality and Reliability:* * *
Feels solidly built, but some of the interior plastics look a little downgrade and look as if they could mark quite easily. However, the mechanicals are all well proven at this stage, with engines that have been used extensively within the Ford family.
Performance:* * * *
There is no point in opting for the 2.0-litre 145bhp petrol model. Better instead to go for one of the diesels and you have a choice of three, two 1.8-litre diesels with 100bhp and 125bhp and at the top of the range is the 140bhp 2.0-litre diesel. We would go for the 125bhp version, as it has enough power to haul this rather large vehicle about in comfort.
At the wheel:* * * *
Great seats and a massive glass area make this a very easy car to drive and see out of. The Galaxy has a more comfort-focused set-up compared to the S-Max, so don't expect great agility, but for a vehicle of this size it is pretty well sorted. The gearbox is smooth and once you get used to the electronic parking brake, it becomes second-nature.
Space and Comfort:* * * *
The new Galaxy is bigger than the old one, and is now a generous seven-seater with all occupants benefiting from generous head, shoulder and legroom. As mentioned, the Galaxy has a softer set-up than the S-Max and kids will appreciate this on longer journeys and, consequently, you will too. The rear seats fold at the pull of a cord or lever - you can split/fold them in all the usual combinations - so there's no need to remove, carry and store the heavy chairs.
Safety:* * * * *
Front, side and third-row curtain airbags are standard-fit, along with the new driver's knee-protecting airbag; there is a new design for the side window airbags. Active head restraints protect against whiplash injury and the front seatbelts have pre-tensioners and load limiters; all of the seven seats have proper three-point belts. Stability control and traction control are also standard fit. A tyre pressure monitoring system can be ordered from €250.
Running costs and depreciation:* * *
These larger MPVs are quite expensive, and don't always hold their value so well. But if you are going to buy one this is one of the better ones and owners tend to hang on to these a little bit longer than other cars.
THE CONCLUSIONS
For:Spacious, stylish, easy to use Against:Interior could be a little better
The Irish Timesverdict:Pretty easy to see why it is a best-seller
Best Buy:1.8 TDCi 125bhp Zetec
KIA CARNIVAL
Price:€35,295 - €41,295
NCAP Crash Test:N/A
Seats:7
Doors:5
Engines:2.9D
Trim levels:EX, GSE
CO2:206g/km - 237g/km
Quality and Reliability:* * * *
Kias of old felt as if they were put together with prayers and wishful thinking, but thankfully all that has changed. The new Carnival is much better-built than the rather creaky old Sedona, which scored miserably in the Euro NCAP safety tests. Improvements to the interior mean it is capable of competing with the best in the class.
Performance:* * *
There is only one engine option: the rather large 2.9-litre diesel engine which will be expensive to tax. This second-generation common-rail injection has a variable geometry turbocharger. It develops an increased 182bhp and 343Nm, so offering better performance than before, while preserving the 7.8 l/100km combined economy of its predecessor.
At the wheel:* * * *
Better to drive than before, but this really wouldn't be too difficult. The chassis is all-new, there are revised MacPherson struts at the front and multi-link suspension replaces a solid axle at the rear. There is better feedback from the steering, too, but this is still a large vehicle that needs to be treated with respect on twisty roads.
Space and Comfort:* * * *
The seating layout has been changed from 2-2-3 to 2-3-2, a format regarded as essential in a large MPV for Europe. There are five individual rear seats instead of two in the middle, plus a rear bench. Each seat slides forwards and backwards, reclines, folds in half, stores upright or comes out of the car altogether. Kia decided against folding rear seats because of the compromises involved. Folding seats have to be smaller and are thus less comfortable, and have to be mounted higher in the car, thus stealing headroom, legroom and luggage space.
Safety:* * *
Six airbags - front, front side and full-length curtains - are fitted. Anti-lock brakes are standard, along with electronic brake force distribution. ESP doesn't feature as standard equipment - something of an oversight in a huge family vehicle.
Running costs and depreciation:* * *
This is a 2.9-litre diesel engine so it won't be so nice getting the tax bill every year for this. Fuel economy offered isn't that bad, and residuals seem to remain quite strong for the Carnival's predecessor the Sedona, so should be pretty good.
THE CONCLUSIONS:
For:Spacious, well-equipped, comfortable Against:Big engine, where is the ESP?
The Irish Timesverdict:Good value large MPV for those who really need the extra space, but not much fun for the driver
Best Buy:GSE
FORD S-MAX
Price:€31,855 - €40,175
NCAP Crash Test:* * * * *
Seats:5/7
Doors:5
Engines:
Trim levels:
CO2:164g/km - 232g/km
Quality and Reliability:* * * *
Built on the same production line as the Galaxy and sharing many components, the S-Max is well put together, but has the same issue of an interior that marks easily and might not be as hard-wearing as it should be. The S-Max, if anything, feels a little better than the Galaxy on overall quality.
Performance:* * * *
The engine choice is similar to that of the Galaxy - there is a 2.0-litre 145bhp petrol engine kicking off the range, and this is followed by the 125bhp 1.8-litre diesel and a 143bhp 2.0-litre diesel. Top of the range is a 220bhp 2.5-litre petrol engine, from the Focus ST which turns the S-Max into something of a performance MPV. Choose the 1.8-litre diesel as the best compromise.
At the wheel:* * * * *
The best vehicle of its kind to drive. Good gearbox, great steering and excellent handling make this a treat to drive.
Space and Comfort:* * * *
The S-Max is around 50mm shorter overall than the Galaxy and 69mm shorter but is the same width. Despite rear headroom not being particularly generous in the rearmost row of seats, the legroom's not too bad for those right at the back. There's not much luggage space behind the rearmost seats (just 285 litres), and neither set of rear seats folds completely flat right down into the floor. The S-Max is sportier than the Galaxy so doesn't have as cosseted a ride, but is still a comfortable car.
Safety:* * * *
As with the Galaxy, the S-Max achieved the full five-star rating in the EuroNCAP crash tests. Standard safety equipment includes front and side airbags, middle-row window airbags and new driver's knee airbags plus three-point seatbelts for all seats, front seatbelts with pre-tensioners and load limiters, and whiplash-protecting head restraints. ESP is a €600 option on lower grade models, and a tyre pressure sensor is a €450 option.
Running costs and depreciation:* * * *
The signs are good for the S-Max when looking at the initial used prices for them. This looks like it will be a popular model so prices should remain pretty strong. As with the Galaxy, these engines have a proven track record and should give no hassle.
THE CONCLUSIONS:
For:Great looks, great to drive, good value Against:Not as comfortable as the Galaxy and less spacious
The Irish Timesverdict:If you don't need seven seats, then S-Max is a better option
Best Buy:Zetec 1.8 TDCi 125 M6
SEAT ALHAMBRA
Price:€36,750 - €39,950
NCAP Crash Test:N/A
Seats:7
Doors:5
Engines:1.9D
Trim levels:R, S
CO2:172g/km
Quality and Reliability:* * *
Around for donkey's years now, and has proven to be made of pretty tough stuff. The original Galaxy, to which it is identical, has been replaced by new version so it does feel a little old inside, but this offering from Seat is very good value and this will account for its impressive sales.
Performance:* * *
Just one engine on offer now, so that keeps it simple and that is the 115bhp 1.9-litre TDi. This engine is a little noisy but does its job quite well. 0-100km/h takes a while - 13.7 seconds to be precise but it is frugal, returning 6.3 l/100km.
At the wheel:* * * *
High seating position gives decent view of the road, and all the controls, both major and minor, are well placed. Well-weighted power steering copes admirably with the needs of both parking and the open road. The standard six-speed manual gearbox is a bit clunky but this is an easy car to pilot overall.
Space and Comfort:* * * *
There is ample space in this large seven-seater and this run out model gets things like climate control as standard, which makes it a nice place to be. Passenger accommodation is spacious and versatile: you can fold, turn around or remove individual seats.
Safety:* * * * *
There is great standard safety equipment in the Alhambra, with driver, passenger and front and rear curtain airbags. ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and Brake Assist. ESP is also standard with traction control, so you get the full raft of safety kit.
Running costs and depreciation:* * *
Might be a little long in the tooth, but high levels of safety equipment make this an attractive prospect as a trade-in. The 1.9-litre diesel engine is cheap enough to tax, and will be frugal too.
THE CONCLUSIONS:
For:Great value, good safety and comfort equipment Against:Starting to show its age
The Irish Timesverdict:At this price there is life in the old Alhambra yet
Best Buy:S