Used car search for a segment that no longer exists
Fads come and go. Nowadays you don’t count if you don’t travel by crossover or SUV, not so long ago the MPV – in all shapes and sizes – was completely hot. Nowadays they are hardly sold new and even as a second-hand they are all too often passed by. While such an MPV simply offers more in terms of ease of use and variability than such a high-legged four-wheeler that often only has to rely on its looks. These three modest (also in terms of asking price!) used cars show that MPVs don’t have to be boring either.
Whoever goes shopping in this class should turn to the used market, because new the emphasis has shifted to crossover / SUV: Renault Modus became Captur, Ford’s B-Max de Ecosport, that work. Used, the choice is huge: from extravagant (Daihatsu Materia) to chic (Lancia Musa) and everything in between!
Kia Soul 1.6 X-ecutive – 2010 – 147,429 kilometers – 5,950 euros
The Soul has a remarkable history: the first generation (2009-2013) was available with petrol and diesel engines, its successor (2014-present) is only available as an EV. With 6 mille in the pocket, the first generation logically qualifies, such as this Kia Soul, from the second owner. The South Korean has never been really successful. Perhaps that is because it was a bit in between everywhere: no ordinary hatchback (that was already the Rio), no crossover (because not high enough on the wheels, but somewhat tough looks) and yet not quite an MPV, because it lacks sufficient variability.
For example, the rear seat can of course be folded down in parts, but for example not slidable (you must have the Venga for that). The angular carriage does offer quite a bit of stowage space. The disadvantage is the high lifting threshold. The engine choice was a 1.6 petrol and a 1.6 diesel. The 00-NNH-2 is the former. With 126 hp at 1,145 kilos you will not be short of much, but all power is only released at higher speeds. That means a lot of gear shifting, and because the higher gears have a long ratio, overtaking maneuvers require downshifting. It is nice that the box switches with feeling. The control does not go along with that: too artificial. Too bad, because the chassis from the Hyundai i20 leaves quite room for sporty ones
ambitions. Inside it is certainly not boring (dashboard), but it is spacious (seats), even in the back you will not easily touch the sky with your crown. The furniture is sufficient, as an X-ecutive this occasion is spacious in its stuff. 16-inch alloy wheels, electrically folding exterior mirrors, brake assist … all things that were not commonplace in this segment 13 years ago. Neither is the bull bar – it must have been mounted by one of the previous owners to give the car a tougher look. Anyway.
Signaling
Brand kia
Type Soul 1.6 X executive
Construction year October 2010
Mileage 147,429
Asking price €5,950
Where to buy? Wuco Auto’s BV, Oldenzaal
Technical data
Engine 4-cyl. in-line, 1,591 cc
max. assets 93 kW/126 hp at 6,300 rpm
max. couple 156 Nm at 4,200 rpm
Luggage room 340 l/na
max. trailer braked 1,300 kilograms
Avg. consumption 1 in 15.4
0-100km/h 11.0 sec
Top speed 177 km/h
All data according to factory specifications
Citroën C3 Picasso 1.6 VTi Aura – 2009 – 145,549 kilometers – 5,950 euros
This Citroën C3 Picasso shows striking similarities with the Soul above. The same asking price (in both cases including Bovag warranty) and the design is also quite similar. The C3 looks a bit more rounded and was (that’s why?) the name of an artist stuck on it. The Frenchman is a bit older, the South Korean a bit more experienced. Under the hood we also find a 1.6, here good for 120 hp. There are differences in terms of – technical – reliability, because the 91-PZT-9 has the first generation VTi in the front. Not as notorious as the blown THPs, but an occasion that you prefer to buy with as much certainty as possible. A one-year warranty and a pack of garage bills should guarantee this.
The C3 Picasso takes a positive distance from the Soul when it comes to variability: here the rear seat can be moved by 15 centimeters. If you fold the (divisible) rear seat completely down, then a flat loading floor of 1,500 liters is ready. The chassis is mainly focused on comfort. Pleasant, but in fast corners, leaning is unavoidable and you yourself also look for something to hold on to on the fairly flat seats. But you may not want that either, the light steering does not invite you to do so either.
There is absolutely sufficient space for occupants, given the size. The interior is also originally designed, you really have the idea that you are not driving something everyday – not to mention the bright paint color. The occasion portrayed is the Aura version. Sounds rather ambitious, but in terms of amenities, this one is on one of the bottom rungs of the luxury ladder. For example, cruise control and manual A/C are provided, but rear passengers must swing to get fresh air. ESP is also absent, which is why (?) the C3 Picasso scored 4 stars in the Euro-NCAP crash test at the time (Soul and Meriva achieved 5 stars). In the end, quite a lot of differences, so!
Signaling
Brand Lemon
Type C3 Picasso 1.6 VTi Aura
Construction year September 2009
Mileage 145,549
Asking price €5,950
Where to buy? Garage Roberts Kerketuinen, The Hague
Technical data
engine 4-cyl. in-line, 1,598 cc
max. assets 88 kW/120 hp at 5,600 rpm
max. couple 160 Nm at 4,250 rpm
Luggage room 385 l/na
max. trailer braked 1,100 kilograms
Avg. consumption 1 in 15.6
0-100km/h 11.7s
Top speed 188 km/h
All data according to factory specifications
Opel Meriva 1.4 Turbo S/S Cosmo – 2012 – 165,101 kilometers – 5,999 eurosTo make the most of the possibilities of their MPVs, various manufacturers offered special door arrangements. For example, Ford’s B-Max had sliding rear doors, this second generation Opel Meriva had reverse opening rear doors. Handy for those who work with child seats, while the kink in the window frame guarantees a good view for the youngsters. This destroyed the old-fashioned character of the primeval Meriva.
We found this Opel Meriva. The youngest of the trio, but with the most kilometers. Motor-wise, it is the strongest with its 140 hp, but that is also necessary, because the Meriva is a heavyweight. No less than 1,320 kilos (Soul: 1,145 kilos, C3 Picasso: 1,179 kilos), so we suspect that the Soul ultimately has the lowest operating costs. But yes, it is less MPV again, because the rear seat of the German can be folded down in three parts. If the middle section is flat, the outer two seats can be moved backwards and at an angle to create extra space for those passengers.
Everything shows that the Meriva is a ‘weighty’ occasion: the car is firmly on the road, the build quality of the robust dashboard is excellent. Dissonant here: the busy center console. The blown machine in combination with the six-speed gearbox ensures relaxed travel. High speeds are not necessary, so you can enjoy the Cosmo version in relative peace: start / stop system, climate control, hill assist … even (easy to clean!) Leather upholstery is present. That makes the 28-XNT-3 the most luxurious of this bouquet of occasions, while the price (also here including warranty) is barely higher. The mileage is that again, but – very nice – the seller shows a photo of the open hood. Below that, nothing suggests that mileage. All in all, one – typical Opel! – solid occasion, where Soul and C3 Picasso appear more sparkling.
Signaling
Brand Opel
Type Meriva 1.4 Turbo S/S Cosmo
Construction year June 2012
Mileage 165.101
Asking price €5,999
Where to buy? Van Aalten Auto’s BV, Woudenberg
Technical data
Engine 4-cyl. in-line, 1,364 cc, turbo
max. assets 103 kW/140 hp at 4,900 rpm
max. couple 200 Nm at 1,850 rpm
Luggage room 397 l/na
max. trailer braked 1,200 kilograms
Avg. consumption 1 in 16.1
0-100km/h 10.3s
Top speed 196 km/h
All data according to factory specifications
Which compact MPV suits you?
In summary: do you opt for the manageable costs and the looks of the Soul, taking its lesser MPV qualities for granted, or will it be the C3 Picasso that does have MPV skills, but has a lesser reputation in terms of reliability? The Meriva never really scores unsatisfactory, but it is quite a heavyweight. Something else is of course also possible: from Renault Modus (the driver of this segment) to the bizarre Nissan Cube. The choice is huge – but only in the used car world!
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– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl