Family cars, in danger of extinction

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Barely ten years ago minivans populated the roads and cities. Vehicles taller than sedans and compacts, designed to offer the better habitability in its seats and with a large trunk. But fashion has displaced them, since family SUVs such as the Hyundai Tucson, Mitsubishi Outlander or Volvo XC 60 have gained ground thanks to a fresher and more adventurous image.

The main brands have left orphans a public that demands capacity for five occupants, and a very particular characteristic: to have three real seats in the rear, so that
can install two child seats
with its corresponding ‘Isofix’ anchorage and that there is room for a third occupant. If we look at the current minivan offer, few innovations have been presented in recent years apart from the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer, and the Dacia Jogger.

The rest of the vehicles are updates to models that have been on the market for quite some time, even though some of them, thanks to hybridization, manage to obtain the ECO environmental label, essential for moving around in urban environments.

Another possibility is that of a Combi-type van, such as the Renault Kangoo, Ford Transit or Nissan Townstar. In this segment, the options have been reduced since the Citroën Berlingo, Peugeot Rifter and Opel Combo family no longer have diesel or gasoline variants and are only available to individuals with 100% electric engines, with a range of only 280 kilometers. The newly released Romanian model replaces the veteran Lodgy in the catalogue. It is a minivan by definition, its appearance mixes characteristics of a family sedan with those of a van, with country finishes. Among its virtues stands out the possibility of having seven real seats, in addition to an unbeatable price. A hybrid electrified version is expected.

Dacia Jogger

The newly released Romanian model replaces the veteran Lodgy in the catalogue. It is a minivan by definition, its appearance mixes characteristics of a family sedan with those of a van, with country finishes. Among its virtues stands out the possibility of having seven real seats, in addition to an unbeatable price. A hybrid electrified version is expected.

Engine: Gasoline and LPG from 101 to 110 CV Measurements (length/width/height, in meters): 4.54/1.78/1.63 Trunk: from 160 to 1,819 liters Maximum speed: 183 km/h Consumption: 4 .3 l/100 km (LPG) and 5.6 l/100 km (petrol)

Citroën C4 Spacetourer

He is a veteran in the market (since 2016) which does not detract from his skills at all. With 4.60 meters in length, it can accommodate up to seven passengers in individual seats. High-quality finishes stand out with a multitude of technological options. Its consumption is low, especially diesel, but it only has gasoline and diesel versions, with the DGT ‘C’ label.

Engine: Gasoline and diesel 131 CV Measurements (length/width/height, in meters): 4.60/1.82/1.63 Trunk: from 180 to 1,843 liters Maximum speed: 200 km/h Consumption: from 4, 9l/100km

Renault Grand Scenic

It is the long variant of the Scenic (which is no longer for sale), with three rows of seats and seven seats. The model has been on the market since 2017, but still maintains a modern design and a good technological endowment. On the dashboard there is a large touch screen from which numerous settings are controlled, as well as the multimedia system and the connection to the mobile phone.

Engine: 140 and 160 hp gasoline Measurements (length/width/height, in meters): 4.63/1.86/1.65 Trunk: from 189 to 533 liters (with 2 rows of seats) Maximum speed: 200 km /h Consumption: from 6.5 l/100 km

BMW Series 2 Active Tourer

This model is the newest on the market. Although its length is only 4.39 meters, it is a true five-seater minivan, quite spacious. It is already on sale with Mild Hybrid petrol and diesel versions, and therefore with the DGT ‘ECO’ label. Starting in July, two plug-in hybrid variants with up to 90 km of autonomy will arrive in Spain.

Engine: Gasoline, diesel and Mild Hybrid from 136 to 170 hp Measurements (length/width/height, in meters): 4.38/1.82/1.57 Trunk: from 470 to 1,455 liters Maximum speed: 221 km/h Consumption: from 4.8 l/100 km

Volkswagen Touran

One of the veteran models (on sale since 2016), which maintains good habitability qualities. Curiously, it equips seven seats as standard, the five-seat variant being optional. All seats except the driver’s seat can be folded down, leaving a completely flat cargo area. There are only diesel and gasoline versions with environmental label ‘C’.

Engine: Gasoline and diesel from 122 to 150 hp Measurements (length/width/height, in meters): 4.52/1.82/1.65 Trunk: from 743 (2 rows of seats) to 1980 liters Maximum speed: 209 km/h Consumption: from 5.1 l/100 km

Ford Galaxy

This model, manufactured in Spain, had just received an aesthetic and mechanical update. It is now available in a petrol hybrid version. It has incorporated new items of equipment, and also has a version with all-wheel drive. It has three rows of seats and seven seats, with seats that can be moved longitudinally to expand the trunk.

Engine: Gasoline – 190 hp hybrid Measurements (length/width/height, in meters): 4.85/1.91/1.77 Trunk: from 200 to 2,339 liters Maximum speed: 185 km/h Consumption: from 6, 5L/100km

Seat Alhambra

At 4.85 meters long, Seat’s largest model can accommodate seven occupants in total comfort. Over time, its mechanical offer has been reduced to a single possibility of gasoline with 150 hp and always associated with the DSG automatic transmission. In addition to its generous interior space, it has electric sliding side doors that facilitate entry.

Engine: 150 hp gasoline Measurements (length/width/height, in meters): 4.85/1.90/1.72 Trunk: from 267 to 2,297 liters Maximum speed: 198 km/h Consumption: from 7.8 l /100 km

Maxus Euniq 5

The Chinese march belonging to the Saic group begins marketing this model in Spain, a seven-seater minivan that is one hundred percent electric. It has a 177 hp engine and a range of up to 356 km in the urban cycle. It also incorporates two type 2 charging cables (Mennekes): mode 2 for slow Schuko charging and another mode 3 for fast charging.

Motor: Electric 177 CV Measurements (length/width/height, in meters): 4.82/1.82/1.80 Trunk: from 406 to 1,162 liters Maximum speed: 160 km/h Autonomy: from 260 to 356 km (WLTP)

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