MPV Rental Makes Sense

Renting a cheap MPV abroad is now a very popular choice for people holidaying abroad with a wide choice of people carriers, minivans and seven seaters available at airports across the world. To decide on the people carrier best suited to you, you will need to consider the number of people in your party and of course the amount of luggage you need to transport. Fuel prices are horrendous just about everywhere now, so picking a diesel vehicle may be a wise move although this may mean a compromise on performance.

You have to book early in order to get the best price, there is no way round this, so make sure you are organised. Hiring a people carrier is straightforward now with many websites offering price comparison booking engines, so make use of these. By researching ahead of your travel date, not only will you save money on your MPV rental rate, you will also have time to read the small print and avoid sneaky charges. Check out each company’s policy on fuel, do you need to fill the car up on the way back or do you return the car empty.

We cannot emphasise enough that you need to understand what you are insured for and what you are not insured for, be prepared and get cover to avoid nasty shocks. The list of MPVs, people carriers and minivans available today for rental is mind-boggling, our personal favourites are reviewed below.

Ford Galaxy – 7 Seater People Carrier.

Although it’s been over a long time now, the Ford Galaxy people carrier is still considered king of the hill by many people. The Galaxy is massive and has lots of space in the cabin and in the boot. There are loads of options when it comes to folding the seats down but with all the seats up seven adults can be transported in great style. Don’t let the external looks put you off, there’s no debate – this is a good car to drive.

It has a nice driver position and the overall driver experience is excellent. The level of kit inside the Galaxy is top-notch with electric everything and tinted glass and leather in many models. Fuel economy is good, with some petrol models achieving 30mpg, while you can achieve 45mpg with a couple of the diesel versions.

There were a few problems with this minivan when it first came onto the rental market but these have long since been ironed out. A roof box may be advisable if you are travelling with seven adults, as the boot space though good, is better in rival MPVs. Practical, stylish, plenty of room, good to drive, economical and reliable – We think the Ford Galaxy is a superb all round MPV hire.

SEAT Alhambra – Strong Contender for Top 7 Seater.

The Alhambra is a spacious and practical 7 seater that holds up well in comparison to many of its competitors. Petrol and diesel engines can be had and fuel economy is pretty decent throughout the range of models. For a large seven seater it’s amazingly quiet and inside the cabin is a pleasant experience. It has an excellent safety record it’s easy to drive and it’s extremely well-equipped. On the downside, the sheer size of the Alhambra means that parking can be a bit problematic. If you need rapid access into the luggage area than one downside of the Alhambra is that the rearmost seats are a bit fidgety. However, a few small niggles are more than compensated by the money you’ll save on hiring this car.

Citroen C4 Grand Picasso – 7 Seater People Carrier.

If you’re looking for a stylish and spacious people carrier hire then the Citroen C4 Grand Picasso may well fit the bill. It’s a comfortable seven seater MPV and like most Citroens today it’s good-looking and incorporates a lot of nice features.

The third row of seats can be brought into use very easily, and a range of petrol and diesel engines and manual or automatic gearboxes should mean there’s a model to suit everyone. The suspension and ride feels a bit spongey in comparison to other MPVs, but it’s a comfortable cabin experience for those inside. The driving experience aside, as a passenger , you will be delighted with comfort, layout and quietness inside the Grand Picasso.

For people renting the Grand Picasso to go touring around, the comfort levels are really second to none. Some clever boffin has invented a fantastic seat mechanism that converts the seats in almost any formation you want. There’s plenty of legroom even in the third row of seats, however the boot space does become compromised when the seven seats are in use.

Depending on the version you choose to hire, you can expect to achieve anything from 30mpg right up to 57mpg in the 1.6 e-HDI people carrier. In summary, there are very few people carriers out there that can match the Grand Picasso for comfort, reliability and economy.