Car buyers' guide: Compact MPVs

Honda Stream. Photo / Supplied

The dilemma

A funny thing about the people-mover or MPV (multi-purpose vehicle) segment is that it's buoyant in the used trade, a fizzer in the new market.

Few new MPVs have been a sales success. A big part of the reason is that many buyers who like MPVs can't afford new prices, but once depreciation has taken a few good bites, they become an attractive proposition.

Recently, Car Buyers' Guide fielded a question about compact people-movers. This week, there's a similar query, but one with a twist.

Mona and her partner, who is apparently too shy to have even his first name mentioned, fall into that category. They have three kids, but often tote more, and are shopping for a compact MPV - compact because Mona "isn't very good" with larger vehicles.

The twist is that in narrowing their choices to three, they have been dipping deep into the alphabet soup from which used-import names are compiled. A shortlist doesn't get much more esoteric than this.

The budget: About $10,000

THE SHORTLIST:

Honda Stream
Sitting somewhere between an MPV and a wagon, the Stream has been in production since 2001 and, from a trickle, is now quite popular in New Zealand. It's based on the Civic chassis and in some markets was promoted as a "sporty" MPV.

You'll find a variety of trim packages and options on local models. Most have a 2.0-litre engine, but lower-spec versions use a 1.7 or 1.8. Newer 2.0s have a CVT automatic, but those before 2007 will have a conventional five-speed auto.
From $9000

Mitsubishi Dion
The odd-looking Dion is built on a lengthened Lancer platform and named after the Greek god of wine and joy, Dionysus. However, there wasn't much joy after its Japanese safety tests, when driver-side protection in an offset front collision scored a one, the lowest rating. Other scores were mediocre to average. Regardless, the public really took to the boxy practicality of the Dion and nowadays, in New Zealand, it's often seen on used-car lots, mostly with a 2.0-litre engine and automatic transmission.
From $7000

Toyota Ipsum
Mona and Anonymous are spoilt for choice here; the used market is awash with 2.4-litre automatic Ipsums (aka Picnic, Avensis Verso and SportsVan).

We're looking at the second generation, built from 2001 on a stretched Avensis platform.

There are plenty of variations in trim and equipment, so look around for what tickles your fancy and also keep an eye out for lower-mileage New Zealand-new Picnics.
From $12,000

Driven recommends

Our pricing guide is the suggested point at which buyers will find a clean example with reasonable mileage.

So although the Ipsum pricing point exceeds Mona and Anon's approximate budget, we'd suggest there's a deal waiting to be done somewhere, given the number on the market. Ipsum enjoys an excellent parts and service support infrastructure and is a reliable, practical all-rounder.

Honda's Stream makes a worthy alternative.