Best people carriers

This year's results in the MPV sector shows the changes sweeping through the market.

For the first time, our chart is headed up by a cross-over model. Merging the talents of compact family cars, MPVs and SUVs into a perfectly proportioned package, Nissan’s Qashqai has made a big impression in Driver Power 2011.

The presence in the range of the ‘+2’ seven seat version justifies its inclusion in this chart, where the Qashqai’s score of 89.91 per cent makes it a clear winner. The best news for British industry is that this Nissan is another top class model built here in the UK at the Japanese firm’s Sunderland plant.

Second place goes to an MPV that has proved its worth to families up and down the country. Ford’s S-MAX offers a great combination of attractive styling, great handling and superb interior practicality – just what the doctor ordered in this section of the new car market.

SEAT’s Altea is another model to take a sporty route to win the hearts and minds of people carrier buyers. It’s a strategy that seems to be working, as the Spanish model grabs third place ahead of its Citroen C4 Picasso rival.  Volkswagen’s Golf based Touran picks up fifth place, narrowly bettered by its French opponent.

What you said: "A beautifully built, attractive, safe car with great styling features, excellent reliability, good spec and more than adequate performance and handling. A top notch winner from Nissan." - Nissan Qashqai Owner.

"I love the S-MAX, it is just so practical with a young family and still drives well, other MPV style cars all feel like a bus to drive." - Ford S-MAX Driver.    

Compact MPV/MPV          Class average: 84.88%