Van Life
The American term minivan may confuse some locals as here in South Africa a minivan is a Taxi. What they refer to as a minivan is known locally as an MPV (Multi-Purpose Vehicle). These vehicles have seen something of a resurgence locally with many a manufacturer opting into the segment. It is not only small businesses, tour companies, and airport shuttles that are using them now.
Related: Toyota Quantum vs Ford Transit vs Volkswagen Transporter: here's our winner
We've been keeping an eye on things and have made a list of the current offerings available o make it a little easier to decide which of these people carriers would suit you best.
Kia Carnival
The Kia Carnival is one of those vehicles that satisfies every person who sets foot in it. Teenagers will love all the USB ports and the vast amount of space. Mom will be relaxed in her ultra-comfortable, ventilated seat, and she will have easy access to the little ones in the back. The driver, be it Dad or Mom, will arrive at their destination relaxed and comfortable, thanks to all the user-friendly assistance systems on board.
Volkswagen Caravelle
We found the Caravelle very pleasant to live with. Driven right you can get just shy of 1000km's on a tank. Family road trips will be even more enjoyable with plenty of room for activities inside. The Caravelle really only has one competitor in this segment in the form of the Mercedes-Benz Vito and the Volkswagen is clearly better equipped and carries a better price
Hyundai Staria
While the MPV segment is only contested by a few players, the Staria offers great value for money, especially in the 9-seater Elite trim which we believe will be their biggest seller. The 11-seater will no doubt prove popular with fleet and shuttle services while the Luxury version will find its way into the garages of those who may have been considering a Mercedes-Benz V-Class.
Mercedes-Benz V Class
The pricey V 300 d Exclusive demonstrates that there are many ways in which a manufacturer can offer luxurious transportation. The addition of the more modern engine, gearbox, and improved connectivity has injected life into a product that many may have otherwise overlooked. Despite its aged design and interior when compared with other Mercedes-Benz products, the V-Class appears to be in a class of its own when it comes to people movers that put premium quality and luxury above all else.
Ford Tourneo
We thoroughly enjoyed our time with the Tourneo. The space and convenience were enjoyed beyond measure by the family and friends that we ended up driving around. It is plain to see that transporter vans are now being tailored towards a more discerning market that values luxury fitment in their transport vehicles. If you are looking to get a van that balances a family and business then go look at a Tourneo. Cheaper van options will soon be gone, replaced by million rand plus luxury hotel transfers.
Opel Zafira
The Zafira range enters a saturated market, with rivals such as the Hyundai Staria, Kia Carnival, Volkswagen Transporter, Mercedes-Benz Vito, Ford Tourneo, and Toyota Quantum all offering similar packages at around the same price point. The Zafira is certainly one of the largest MPVs available, and its powertrain manages to be both efficient and powerful enough to get the job done. In the areas of safety, quality, and in-car tech, the Zafira is very much in the middle of the pack, making it one of the MPVs you should shortlist when arranging test drives.
