So the school holidays are over and you need to manoeuvre your children around town back and forth to school, to soccer practice, to art classes and guitar lessons. You also need space for the dry cleaning, the containers of cupcakes you had to bake for the bake sale and the two dogs you have to take to the doggy parlour. Plus, you might want to go on a lengthy road trip during the next school holidays. With all this driving, it probably feels like your’re running a taxi and courier service all-in-one, but a mom (or dad) still wants to feel stylish and sophisticated while doing this, right?
We give you the top 8 MPVs to choose from, so that you’ll feel like a million dollars while playing taxi for your family. Tell us which one is your favourite by voting for WOW’s Car of the Year Awards and you can stand a chance to WIN with WOW!
1. CITROEN C4 PICASSO
What a pity that the Spanish painter after whom this car is named isn’t around to see it. We think he’d give this Citroen the paintbrush up – because, as we know, the ground-breaking artist was a big fan of radical design. And that certainly applies to the very latest C4 Picasso – especially when viewed from its rear: LED lights create a profound, futuristic 3D effect. We reckon Picasso’s piercing black eyes would have sparkled at the vehicle’s sophisticated interior too.
2. HYUNDAI H1 MULTICAB
First, Hyundai launched its popular H1 Bus. Then came the H1 Panel Van. Now it’s a case of this baby makes three. The most recent addition to the H1 family is the Multicab – a vehicle that can do duty as the business runaround and then – when the holiday season starts – be packed to transport the family and the luggage and everything else. It’s available with a frugal petrol engine or a powerful turbodiesel that offers exceptional towing capacity. Seating for six is provided.
3. MERCEDES-BENZ B-CLASS
Mercedes has sold more than 1-million B-Class models since launch in 2005. Why? Well, the German manufacturer’s focus has evolved to entice the young, up-market professional – previously conditioned to believe that the brand suited only the rich and/or retired. The B-Class (and A-Class, to an extent) has pulled the cashmere rug from beneath the feet of competitors, having set new benchmarks in this sector. With a combination of increasingly precedent-setting sporty designs, impressive driving dynamics and incomparable driving comfort, the B-Class is our straight-A student.
4. MERCEDES-BENZ VIANO
Thanks to Albert Einstein, we all know that space is relative. But the Viano proves that space can also go hand in hand with some nifty other attributes too… such as comfort, luxury and fuel efficiency. We love the Viano Fun model, which turns into a mobile hotel in the twinkling of an eye whenever you want it to: just fold down the bench seat and, together with the bed extension, you have a generous area on which to lie. And you thought Einstein was smart?
5. NISSAN NV200
In New York it has been earmarked to replace the traditional yellow cabs. We don’t anticipate that happening in our taxi industry soon. However, Nissan’s versatile seven-seater NV200 Combi serves as the ideal mom’s taxi. It offers superb loading capacity (with a low loading height) that will happily accommodate your offspring and the school friends they collect, their sportsgear, Lulu the Labrador and the hamster cage too. You’ll definitely appreciate the basic creature comforts, dual sliding rear doors and scant fuel consumption.
6. PEUGEOT 3008
There are undertones of a Peugeot revolution in SA and with increasing sales, a rejuvenated model range, a growing national dealer network, and strides in customer service (like the promise of a courtesy vehicle if yours isn’t repaired in 24 hours), new buyers may be in for a treat (as in eating cake). The updated 3008 model does not embody Black Forest confectionery yet, but we believe the French carmaker’s roar is back. We particularly like the 2.0 HDi package (in three-layer pearl-white guise, obviously!)
7. TOYOTA AVANZA
Considerably easier on the eye than its predecessor, the latest Avanza still isn’t a pretty car. It’s like a toaster; it’s designed to get the job done. And that it certainly does. Seating for seven? Check. Easy to park? Check. Value for money? Check again. We’re especially impressed with the amount of occupant and passenger space. This was done – in part – by making the front seatbacks thinner. But don’t worry; you won’t feel like you’re flying cattle class!
8. VOLKSWAGEN KOMBI
The Volkswagen Kombi is like Robert Mugabe; it’s been around forever. But, unlike the Zimbabwean president, the Kombi has never courted controversy. Au contraire; it’s only ever made families happy. Dual sliding doors and variable interior layouts make everything from school runs to awkward luggage requirements so much easier to handle. If you can afford it, go for the top-of-the-range model, the Kombi 2.0 TDI DSG LWB 103 kW. It comes with an automatic gearbox, which is a real joy.
