With people carriers being traditionally bulky, you might not expect there to be many green car people carriers or MPVs to choose from. However, there are several on the market with surprisingly low CO2 emissions – so if you have a large family check out our top five list now:
- Skoda Roomster 1.2 TDi with 109g/km CO2 and 67.3mpg combined.
- Nissan Note 1.5 dCi with 110g/km CO2 and 67.3mpg combined.
- Kia Venga 1.4 CRDi EcoDynamics with 117g/km CO2 and 62.8mpg combined.
- Citroen C3 Picasso 1.6 HDi with 119g/km CO2 and 61.4mpg combined.
- Ford C-Max 1.6 TDCi with 119g/km CO2 and 61.4mpg combined.
Last updated: January 2012.
Faye has been writing about cars and environmental issues since 2007. A suspected eco-warrior working on the corporate inside, Faye mainly likes the weird, quirky vehicles that show a distinct environmental advantage. Her ideal car has enough room to fit a bale of hay in the boot. When not working, she likes nothing better than to head out on her bicycle and explore the countryside.
Anthony Maturin
a) As we head towards carbon neutral societies obviously we will phase out nearly all use of fossil fuels. The hybrid is sort of on track for that scenario, the electric vehicle is certainly nearly there provided it can be produced with no fossil fuel input. Neither take account of situations which will arise as the earth warms and remaining populations find themselves crowded into the habitable bits that remain, and all resources become scarce and contested.
Remember that all these cars come from a rich Western mind set which will quite soon be non viable in the face of climate change caused disruptions. When there will be more serious questions to answer than 'which car?', when ownership of any car will likely be a luxury available to a minority.
b) who says that, given the numbers of hungry kids in the world (for example) any of us has the right to a car? What has a fancy vehicle to do with the equitable sharing of humanity's resources?
Anthony Maturin
anthonymaturin.net.nz
December 03, 2011
John Coleman
Its great emissions are comming down recently so I add an update:-
7 seaters :
Renault Grand Scenic 1.6dCi Dynamic TomTom with start/stop 115g CO2 64.2mpg or 117g 62.8mpg. Volkswagen Touran 1.6TDi Bluemotion 61.4 mpg 121g Co2
5 seaters
Renault Grand Modus 1.5dCi 68.9 mpg 109g CO2
Nissan Note made in sunderland! 1.5dCi 67.3 mpg 110g Co2
Skoda Roomster 1.2TDi Greenline 67.3mpg 109g CO2
Vauxhall Meriva 1.3 CDTi Ecoflex with stop start 68.9 mpg 109g CO2
July 06, 2011
John Coleman
PS 5 seater
Volkswagen Golf Plus 1.6 TDi Bluemotion 65.7 mpg 114g CO2
July 06, 2011
Calvin
Come on what a useless list - none of these cars are people carriers, other than by definition all cars carry people. This segment to my mind is Alhambra, Galaxy, Espace, Voyager etc - 6 or 7 people with some bags not a boxy car that can carry 5 and have a tiny little boot for a toothbrush or two. Put people carriers in this section please.
June 30, 2011
Faye Sunderland
For those looking for seven seat vehicles see: http://www.thegreencarwebsite.co.uk/blog/index.php/top-5-seven-seat-vehicles/.
May 03, 2011
Michael
I've been trying for years to get this question answered. Most won't really take luggage as well. Ended up with Mitsubishi Grandis. Reasonable economy. Took 4 adults and 2 children comfortably across France with luggage averaging 42+mpg. {test rated same as Grand Scenic!] The claimed mpg of most vehicles is way out. [Or am I a lead foot?] I agree with Corinne. Still waiting for a test by someone with kids and clobber.
July 14, 2010
Paul Nelson
Try this which is a real people carrier and really green with zero emmissions.
http://www.alliedelectric.co.uk/content/vehicles/electric_passenger_vehicles/peugeot_eexpert_tepee/
July 08, 2010
Graeme R
How about listing 'green as possible' automatics as there are now some very efficient torque converter, CVT, dual clutch and automated-manual options around, mostly with diesel engines, with CO2 coming down and economy going up with every new generation? Info on autos is very hard to find on consumer sites.
June 24, 2010
Corrine Shimmon
No, they're not all people carriers, they're all mpv's- And actually, a zafira doesn't work as a people carrier either (I have one!) When it seats more than 5, you have zero luggage space- have you ever travelled with no luggage? We need a list of actual 7-seater cars. Zafiras are only designed to have the 'boot' seats used occasionally.
April 19, 2010
Sue
I agree with the above comments. Three teenagers and assorted friends to carry requires a people carrier with seven seats.
November 08, 2009
Matt S
I have been spending some considerable time looking for a car to seat 2 adults and 3 kids - only problem is that all are in either booster/baby seats (not the adults!). Compounding this issue is that it needs to be as green as possible (less then 120 CO2 emissions and over 60 mpg) as it will be a company car and needs to be under £20k.
Only possibility I can see is the VW Passat Bluemotion which fulfills all the above criteria. Any ideas?
September 03, 2009
D HUBBARD
my son has five boys and needs a green car which also has room to put their stuff when travelling which green cars are in the pipeline or is likely to come onto the market in the next year or so that would be suitable
August 12, 2009
Faye Sunderland
Comments appreciated guys, we will look to introduce a seperate list of seven seaters when time permits but for now I would recommend the Vauxhall Zafira Ecoflex with only 139g/km CO2 as a great green seven seater.
Officially all the above cars are classed as people carriers but I appreciate that when most people think of people carriers, they think seven seats so we will look to introduce a 'Top 7 seven-seater' guide too. Thanks
August 11, 2009
Philip John
Again these are not people carriers and this list is worthless.
How about a list of 7 or more seater eco vehicles?
August 02, 2009
Eve
these are not actually people carriers! they don't help if you have a large family as they only have 5 seats.
June 02, 2009
Richard
All of these cars have 5 seats. They are tall cars rather than people carriers, they don't carry any more people than any other car.
Have you considered the Renault Grand Scenic 1.5 Dci. 7 seats 53.3mpg combined and 140g/km Co2 ?
Or for a "Tall car" as listed above The Renault Scenic 1.5Dci. 55.4mpg combined and 135g/kg Co2 ?
No I dont work for Renault!
Richard
July 11, 2008