The summer holidays are already precious enough!
A few weeks ago, we portrayed three German seven-seater midi MPVs of up to €10,000 in this section (Ford Grand C-Max, Opel Zafira Tourer, Volkswagen Touran). There were so many enthusiastic reactions that we decided to once again put the midi-MPV in the spotlight. It’s a dying breed after all, isn’t it? This time we focus on the Far East and we limit our budget to 8 grand. After all, the summer holidays are – especially with a large family – expensive enough!
Even if we look at the Asian angle, the choice is large, because in addition to the three used cars discussed, you could think of MPVs such as the Kia Carens, Mitsubishi Grandis or, for example, the seven-seater version of the Nissan Qashqai; the +2. We limit ourselves to the Honda FR-V, the Mazda 5 and the Toyota Corolla Verso.
Mazda 5 2.0 Active+ – 2009 – 162.556 kilometer – €7.450
In that particular episode we talked about the somewhat unfortunate appearance of the Ford Grand C-Max with sliding doors. The first generation of the Mazda 5 shows that sliding rear doors can still deliver a sporty and elegant interplay of lines. See for example this Mazda 5 with which we kick off this episode. It is an import car and that can be seen in the Active + version – we did not know it in (December) 2009, so we have to make do with the specified specifications. And they are not wrong: beautiful alloy wheels, leather upholstery, electric sliding doors, navigation system, reversing camera, cruise and climate control, a detachable towbar, which can brake 1,400 kilos. It is also nice that Mazda’s current DNA is already quite in the more than thirteen-year-old 5: relatively low,
But you buy a seven-seater mainly for its space and possibilities. As for the first: row three has little to do for adults. In addition, the luggage compartment then measures only 112 litres. Row two consists of two large seats from which you can conjure up an extra, central seat. It can also serve as a table. Mazda calls it Karakuri. If row three is folded down, you can take 426 liters of stuff with you, with everything flat that is 1,566 liters. The unblown, revving two-liter engine delivers adequate performance for such a van that forms a coherent whole with the chassis: you never have the idea that the chassis has trouble with the power or that it can handle much more power. All in all, an attractive option if you shop in the seven-seater corner. That the 5 is less on the radar, is reflected in the price/performance ratio: the lowest mileage and the lowest asking price of these three. Three months Autotrust warranty is included with this brown occasion.
Reporting
Brand Mazda
Type 5 2.0 Active+
Built in December 2009
Mileage 162,556
Asking price €7,450
Where to buy? L. de Prins Automotive, Hazerswoude-Dorp
Technical data
Engine 4 cyl. in-line, 1,999 cc
max. power 107 kW/146 hp at 6,500 rpm
max. torque 185 Nm at 4,000 rpm
Luggage compartment 112 l/426 l/1,566 l
max. trailer braked 1,400 kilos
Avg. consumption 1:12.7
0-100 km/h 10,2 s
Top speed 194 km/h
All data according to factory specifications
Honda FR-V 1.8i Comfort – 2010 – 206.402 kilometer – €7.950
Where the 5 has its sliding doors as a unique selling point , this applies to the entire concept of the Honda FR-V. Like the Fiat Multipla, the FR-V is a six-seater, with the occupants divided into two rows of three. A joke is that you can see whether a relationship is good (then the partners are right next to each other in the front) or not so good (then the partner is in seat three, against the door)! Craziness, of course – as an adult you are not so comfortable on the middle, smaller seat – but thanks to this design, Honda has managed to give the necessary luggage a place in this midi MPV, in addition to six people.
The choice between many passengers or a lot of luggage is therefore less of a headache than with the others, because with six people on board you can still take 439 liters – more than 5 or Corolla Verso with five people on board, let alone seven! It does provide a form-follows-function appearance. Inside, the quirkiness continues with a wide-set dashboard with no center console to speak of, to please passenger two’s legs. It takes some getting used to, but after that the ergonomics are good. This also applies to the seating position, because the side window is emotionally very close. We qualify the driving characteristics as Mazda 5 level. Slightly sporty, so completely Honda’s. This Honda FR-V is slightly younger than the above 5, but has driven more and is more expensive. This partly has to do with the build quality and the name that Honda still has in that area, but also because this occasion has only had one Dutch owner and is offered with a 6-month warranty. With this Comfort version you get a car that is clearly one step lower in terms of luxury amenities. After all, there is no leather or navigation, but a six-speed gearbox.
Reporting
Honda brand
Type FR-V 1.8i Comfort
Built in March 2010
Mileage 206,402
Asking price €7,950
Where to buy? Car company Bergsma, Hummelo
Technical data
Engine 4 cyl. in-line, 1,799 cc
max. power 103 kW/140 hp at 6,300 rpm
max. torque 174 Nm at 4,300 rpm
Luggage space 439 l/n
max. trailer braked 1,500 kilos
Avg. consumption 1:13.3
0-100 km/h 10,6 s
Top speed 190 km/h
All data according to factory specifications
Toyota Corolla Verso 1.8-16V VVT-i Sol aut. – 2008 – 177.205 kilometer – €7.900
If it is more traditional, then there is the seven-seater version of the Toyota Corolla Verso. We found this Toyota Corolla Verso in Limburg. Admittedly, just like the Mazda 5, an import car and also the oldest of the three, but offered by a Toyota specialist and provided with a one-year Bovag warranty.
A surprise when we look inside: the black metallic paint matches beautifully with the cognac-colored leather. A chic affair! Just like the 5, this occasion offers enough space in rows one and two, but row three is really only suitable for children. The disadvantage is the rather small side windows. One feels safe, another locked up. If all seats are in use, there is hardly any room for luggage here either. Incidentally, rows two and three consist of five separate seats where you can vary considerably, all according to the so-called Toyota Easy Flat-7 system.
On the road, this Japanese behaves neatly: less challenging than Mazda or Honda, but still nice and tight. A steering wheel that gives enough feedback, a chassis that inspires confidence … Everything is neat and straightforward, without any fuss. However, those looking for pure comfort should try a Citroën C4 Grand Picasso, for example. From a motor point of view, this Toyo offers just a little less power without actually being more economical. This occasion does have the necessary luxury: we already mentioned the leather upholstery, but with, for example, navigation and a reversing camera on board, it is on level 5. On top of that comes the five-speed automatic transmission that can be operated manually if desired. Build quality and materials used are okay, but we estimate the quirky FR-V just a little higher.
Reporting
Make Toyota
Type Corolla Verso 1.8-16V VVT-i Sol aut.
Year of construction June 2008
Mileage 177,205
Asking price €7,900
Where to buy? Car company Gielen BV, Heythuysen
Technical data
Engine 4 cyl. in-line, 1,794 cc
max. power 95 kW/130 hp at 6,000 rpm
max. torque 170 Nm at 4,200 rpm
Luggage compartment 63 l/423 l//1,563 l
max. trailer braked 1,300 kilos
Avg. consumption 1:13.3
0-100 km/h 12,7 s
Top speed 195 km/h
All data according to factory specifications
Which of these Japanese midi MPVs is right for you?
In summary: the Toyota Corolla Verso does little wrong. This also applies to Mazda’s 5, which offers a touch of sportiness as an extra. Honda walked its own and idiosyncratic path with the FR-V. This results in an occasion that takes some getting used to on several fronts, but which requires fewer concessions when it comes to passenger numbers in combination with luggage size. What would your choice be? Or rather a Kia Carens, Mitsubishi Grandis or the Nissan Qashqai +2? Let us know!