Fuel Consumption in People Carriers

maireincork

Hi all

Our 97 Mazda has given up the ghost so we need to replace it with a new car. We had a second child a few months ago and so are thinking of buying a second hand people carrier. I don't want a huge car though so looking at Opel Zafira's (1.6) around 04/05. We also have a VW Golf (01) and this is our main family car at the minute. I am just worried that we will end up with huge increase in petrol costs and with the price of petrol going so high and us trying to cut back at the moment, taht would not be good for us. What do ye think - anyone any advice. Oh we travel to Dublin (from Cork) a lot as we have family up there. So it would be for long journeys as well as everyday trips. My husband thinks we will save money as teh newer car will be more fuel efficent, I am not so sure

TIA

Maire

Big Nasty

Average fuel consumption on a 1.6 Zafira is 38mpg. Not a major worry I would have thought!

OldmanMondeo

The Sister in law had a 1.6 Zafira and found it to be terrible on juice. Also had some problems with the suspension, she bought it new.

coylemj

I did a quick bit of research for a friend of mine a few years ago and I found that on average a people carrier weighs 50% more than an equivalent saloon car plus you have to bear in mind that as it's higher it's less aerodynamically efficient. Both of these attributes contribute to significantly higher fuel consumption.

Dilbert75

02 Citroen Xsara Picasso 1.6 petrol - mix of short town drives and long open road drives - 37mpg average. Ok its only 5 seats but it sounds like you don't strictly need 7 (yet).

letsbehonest

Opel Zafria
1999-2005
http://www.whatcar.com/car-reviews/used/vauxhall/zafira-mpv/summary/23535-7
2005-Present
http://www.whatcar.com/car-reviews/used/vauxhall/zafira-mpv/summary/25479-7
VW Touran
http://www.whatcar.com/car-reviews/used/volkswagen/touran-mpv/summary/25177-7
Ford focus C-Max
http://www.whatcar.com/car-reviews/used/ford/c-max-mpv/summary/25716-7
All of these are Compact MPVS!

bazz26

OP, the MPVs you are looking at are mostly mid size 7 seater, as you only have 2 kids then you don't really need a 7 seater MPV. Not sure what type of budget you have but take a look at the Nissan Qashqai, it is a crossover vehicle that is a 5 seater but has the benefit of being tall with easy access to the rear for baby seats and a decent size boot. If you are doing a good bit of mileage then maybe consider the 1.5dci version which is very frugal.

Standard MPVs with small 1.6 litre petrol engines struggle to move theese bulky vehicles about, fill them with people and/or luggage and they really struggle and so does the mpg.

Glenbhoy

I have a diesel touran (7 seater) 1.9tdi, I get about mid 40's, on occasion this can hit the 50's on a long trip.

Sorry, just to add that the numbers above are based on her being packed to the gills with luggage.

I'd also add that we've only got the two as well. The touran gives the benefit of being able to take 3 kids in seats across the back and one in a booster in the back 2 seats if need be. It's probably smaller than the qashqai but has a pile of room for storage which is essential when you travel up and down the country visting the in-laws and parents like i do on at least a monthly basis.