The Citroen SpaceTourer is a large and efficient people carrier van that delivers big space in a classy and efficient way. There are three versions of the SpaceTourer to choose from, with the choice of five-, seven-, eight- or nine seats. Few large cars offer so much versatility. 

The SpaceTourer is easy to drive, with its light and responsive steering making it easy to guide along the motorway or through a busy city centre. The equipment levels are split to cater for business and family car buyers, which means it’s easy to find a model to meet your needs. All models come with lots of useful kit, like parking sensors and touchscreen infotainment. The third row of seats can also be removed to free up storage space.

If you're buying brand new, the SpaceTourer - or rather the e-SpaceTourer - is only available as an all-electric vehicle these days. It can be has with two different battery sizes - 50kWh and 75kWh - for ranges of around 135 miles and 215 miles, respectively. Browse the used market, and your much more likely to find diesel-engined versions.

These are 1.5-litre and 2.0-litre units with power outputs spanning 95-, 115-, 150- and 180PS. All will return 50+mpg. Both the 150PS and 180PS versions of the 2.0 BlueHDi turbodiesel are offered with an eight-speed EAT8 automatic gearbox, while most of the other models get a six-speed manual as standard. For the most relaxing driving experience, we’d recommend the auto.

The Vauxhall Vivaro has, over the years, earnt itself a hard-won reputation as being one of the best panel vans in the UK. However, in 2019, Vauxhall pushed its efficient workhorse into the family car market with the launch of the Vivaro Life. And it’s become an important success for the British carmaker. 

Much of the success of the Vivaro Life comes from the fact it shares most of its technology and oily bits with the excellent Citroen SpaceTourer. As a result, you get a large and comfortable people carrier that can carry between five and nine people (depending on which model you choose). Little wonder, perhaps, that Vauxhall’s large people carrier van is so popular with airport shuttle firms and taxi drivers. 

Like the SpaceTourer, the Vivaro Life has been offered with some of the best 1.5- and 2.0-litre diesel engines in the business, with advertised economy exceeding 50mpg. You'll need to browse the used car market for these, though, as again, all brand new Vivaro Life models on sale are electric. Standard equipment is equally high across the range, with entry-level models getting Bluetooth, steering column-mounted audio and phone controls, cruise control, electric door mirrors and a pair of side sliding doors.

The Peugeot Traveller is yet another people carrier van that’s built alongside the Citroen SpaceTourer and Vauxhall Vivaro Life. Like its stablemates, it majors on value for money and ease of use. 

There are four models to choose from: Active and Allure versions are aimed at family car buyers, while Business models are geared more towards the executive and chauffeur market and have fewer seats and more luxury kit. Unless you are planning to shuttle VIPs to airports and hotels, the standard models will make the most sense for you. 

As before, brand new examples of the Traveller are electric-only, but you'll be able to find a plentiful choice of the excellent diesel version on the used car market. The 1.5- and 2.0-litre diesel engines are quiet and efficient. Peugeot claims that every model will exceed 50+mpg and you get the choice of manual or fully automatic gearboxes. Getting in and out of the Traveller is easy, thanks to its twin side sliding doors, while its split rear tailgate allows you to access the rear loadspace without lifting the tailgate: something you don’t get with the Volkswagen Caravelle or Ford Tourneo Custom.

 At the risk of sounding like a broken record...

With Citroen, Vauxhall and Peugeot all being part of the same manufacturing group, known as Stellantis, it's no real surprise that their van-based MPV offerings - the vehicles we've mentioned to this point - are all very similar. However, Toyota also offers a version of the same vehicle, despite having nothing to do with Stellantis. Go figure.

This similarity means, again, that it’s easy to drive, practical and well-equipped as standard. Again, it's only available as an all-electric vehicle right now, but browsing our used car classifieds will open the door to refined and efficient diesel versions. Either way, the comfortable ride and secure handling makes this large Toyota easy to use in town and on the motorway.

There are pros and cons with the Toyota version. On the positive side, while the others come with a middle-of-the-road three-year, 60,000-mile warranty, the Toyota's warranty will lasy up to ten years or 100,000 miles if you get it serviced according to schedule at a recognised Toyota dealer. On the negative side, the electric Proace is only offered with the smaller battery option, meaning a shorter range.

Toyota doesn’t hide the fact that the Proace Verso is predominantly aimed at taxi companies and airport shuttle firms, with the highest-spec models having features like seven heated leather seats and a rear table. However we think this likeable people carrier van has lots to offer family car buyers, too.

Looking for a people carrier van with 8-seats and a touch of luxury? The Vito-based Mercedes-Benz V-Class is a refined large car with good road-handling and lots of plush materials. In standard form, it has seven-seats, but eight-seater models are also available on the used market. 

There’s only one engine option in the V-Class - a 2.0-litre diesel - but it’s one of the best engines in this list for performance and refinement. Older models use a 2.0-litre diesel, but we’d recommend seeking out the newer engine, which was added in 2019, as it really gives a boost to all-round road performance and comfort. 

The V-Class isn’t a cheap people carrier van: even five-year-old models will command a very hefty on the second-hand market. However, despite its lofty pricing, it’s easy to see why the V-Class is so desirable. The interior quality is among the best of any large car on sale and electric side sliding doors are fitted as standard to every model. 

The Ford Tourneo Custom has recently been replaced by a brand new model, but despite our best efforts, we haven't had the opportunity to try it yet. Until we do, we can't recommend it in all good conscience, although we're expecting great things. Until that happens, though, we still think there's plenty to recommend the outgoing Tourneo.

Launched in 2013, it’s still a very good people carrier van, thanks to its low fuel costs and a practical interior that will carry up to nine people (including the driver). It’s easy to drive, too: the weighted steering provides excellent feedback to the driver, while the well-judged body control makes it easy to navigate a series of challenging bends with moderate levels of momentum. It even delivers a comfortable ride.

Safety tech is good, too. The blind-spot warning system, for example, will detect cyclists alongside the vehicle and warn you with a light in the door mirror. You can also operate the infotainment system with your voice. The interior might not be as plush as some of its premium rivals, but it’s spacious and comfortable. If you need a practical nine-seater, the Ford will be a likeable and affordable option. 

Okay, it's a fair cop. We admit that the inclusion of the Volkswagen Multivan in this list is technically something of a misnomer. Why? Well, because despite its van-like shape and dimensions, this vehicle isn't actually based on a van at all.

You see, the Multivan replaced the Caravelle in 2021, a large MPV that had traditionally been based on the Transporter panel van. That's no longer the case, however, because the required timelines for the replacements of the passenger-carrying versions and panel-van versions didn't quite marry up. So, while the latest T7-generation Transporter will be based on the same underpinnings as the latest Ford Transit Custom (both vehicles the result of a joint partnership between the two firms), the Multivan shares its underpinnings with the Volkswagen Group's family cars, including the Golf and the Audi A3.

Not that it really matters, mind. The boxy bodywork and clever seating means it's just as roomy and as versatile, while Multivan's passenger-car roots also mean a higher standard of interior fit and finish, and a more polished driving experience.