The fastest minivans go to kindergarten with screeching tires

Jeremy Clarkson once said that there is nothing more expressive about you, that you gave up on life, like driving a minivan. In fact, K-segment cars have not had a very good reputation for many years. They were considered painfully boring, ugly, having nothing to do with any grace. However, motorization has gone further, and now even “children's cars” can have this “something”.

Statistics show that society is devoting more and more time to children. We do not put career and professional fulfillment in the first place, and when the time comes to have children, we will "have time" to have one or two. One way or another, now a family with three children is already considered to have many children, and several decades ago it was considered the norm. By “multi” we meant houses where five or six (and more!) kids run around.

For such a group, a small bus is needed, but in the modern world, even assuming the three babies mentioned, it can be crowded in an ordinary passenger car. First of all, because of the seats - almost no car can accommodate three children's thrones in the back seat. Vacation is another problem. Children's luggage can take up two to three times more space than an adult's luggage (what a miracle, because children are so much smaller ?!), so going on vacation without a trailer becomes "mission impossible."

SUVs, while appearing big, often have a bit more room inside than the average passenger car, and wagon cabins don't have much more to offer. Thus, whether they like it or not, parents of more than two children are doomed to minivans. 

While raising children is considered a great time, for someone who loves the automotive industry, the transition from a sports hot hatch to a minivan that smells like baby porridge means inner death. Like this ?! Until now, we could have a three-inch exhaust that caused neighbors to throw windows out of our windows, the suspension is so stiff that driving down the street was like driving down the stairs with a piano, and the back sofa served as a shelf for a cat. And now you have to transfer to a car from the "other world". Fortunately, manufacturers are trying to make this radical change as easy as possible for us. So we decided to look around the market and see which minivan might not be too bad for us.

BMW Series 2 Active Tourer

Let's start with one of the most controversial cars of recent years. When BMW revealed the idea of ​​creating this type of car, fans of the brand were in a hurry. After all, this is the first machine in the world with a stamped propeller and front-wheel drive. This type of drive seems to be in complete contradiction to the brand idea that has been cultivated over the years. Despite the lack of sliding doors, the 2 Series Active Tourer can be safely attributed to the family vans.

Although modest units are also included in the range of engines, the BMW brand would not be itself if it did not prepare stronger offers for its customers. So that it would not be so painful to change, for example, from the M3 to a family car.

The first proposal is the BMW 225i Active Tourer. The four-cylinder two-liter engine produces 231 hp. and a maximum torque of 350 Nm, available from 1250 to 4500 rpm. If you choose the front-wheel drive option, you will see the first hundred on the counter in 6,6 seconds! This is a better result than some coupes available on the market. The maximum speed of this model is 238 km/h. However, we can opt for the 225i xDrive variant, which is even faster, reaching 100 km/h in 6,3 seconds and the speedometer needle stopping a little earlier at 235 km/h. Both versions are available with an 8-speed automatic transmission.

As for the diesel, we also have a two-liter unit with 190 hp. However, the four-cylinder diesel boasts a very promising maximum torque of 400Nm. We can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 7,6 seconds with front-wheel drive and 7,3 seconds with xDrive all-wheel drive. The maximum speeds are 227 and 222 km/h respectively.

The price of a petrol BMW 225i Acive Tourer starts from PLN 157. We will pay at least PLN 800 for the xDrive version. When choosing the 166d diesel variant, the cost of PLN 220 must be taken into account, but this version is equipped with a 142-speed manual transmission. The 400-speed automatic transmission is only available in the 6d xDrive version and the price list starts at PLN 8.

Ford S-Max

Another proposal is the most family car from the Ford stable. And I hope that the word "car" will reflect the nature of this car. The passenger compartment is incredibly spacious and roomy, so the interior can be customized to suit your needs. Deciding on the Vignale configuration option, you can forget about the stereotypical minivan, “strewn” with porridge. We are welcomed by soft-touch leathers, perfectly fitted elements and elegant details. In such a car, you certainly will not let your children litter.

In addition to the gorgeous interior, Ford offers the S-Max with two pretty fast engines. The first is the 2.0 EcoBoost petrol version with 240 hp. and a maximum torque of 345 Nm. The family van accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 8,4 seconds and has a top speed of 226 km/h. The car has front-wheel drive and a six-speed automatic transmission.

The second variant of the fast Ford family is the 2.0 TDCi Twin-Turbo diesel with 210 hp. The two-liter diesel develops a hefty 450 Nm of torque and reaches the first hundred on the dashboard in 8,8 seconds. The maximum speed at which we can race to the kindergarten is 218 km/h, and the PowerShift dual-clutch transmission is responsible for gear changes. However, if you have to wade through the mud on your way to school for your kids, consider the 180 HP diesel option.

240 hp petrol engine in the basic version of the Trend package it costs PLN 133. When choosing the best Viñale variety, you have to consider quite a lot of PLN 800. The 172 TDCi diesel variant is not available in the Trend hardware version and you can buy it from PLN 350 (Titanium version). The exclusive Vignale diesel costs PLN 2.0.

Citroen C4 Picasso

The French brand has had “family” representatives on the market for many years. It all started with the painfully forgetful Xsara Picasso, released in 1999, which received a few cosmetic changes. It was replaced by the C2006 Picasso in 4, but the Xsara continued in production for a few more years. Citroen recently showed the world a new version of the C4 Picasso, as well as its larger version, the Grand C4 Picasso. Thanks to this, depending on the needs or the size of our family, we can choose the most suitable vehicle.

A convenient solution is the triple rear seat, which consists of three independently retractable seats. This allows you to adjust the cabin to the number of people in the car, as well as to the amount of luggage. In addition, the interior is equipped with panoramic windows and numerous security systems. 

Unfortunately, Citroen offers a relatively small spark-ignition engine in its minivan offering. We have a 165 THP petrol engine with 1.6 hp that will accelerate from zero to hundreds in 8,4 seconds, and the maximum speed at which we can go is 210 km / h. It also offers a significant torque of 240 Nm, so that even when driving with a large load, we should not feel a drastic difference in the dynamics of the car.

We choose the most powerful diesel option, we have a 2.0-liter BlueHDi with a capacity of 150 hp. However, the engine makes up for its modest power with a maximum torque of 370 Nm available from 2 rpm. We will accelerate to a hundred in 9,7 seconds, and the maximum speed that we will be able to develop on a French diesel minivan is 209 km / h.

Citroen C4 Picasso in the above-mentioned more powerful engine versions can be purchased from the third version of the More Life package (these units are not available in the basic versions of Live and Feel). The petrol variant will be available with a six-speed automatic transmission, while the 150 hp diesel variant will be available. will also be available with a six-speed manual transmission. Both models start at PLN 85 gross. If you decide to buy a more powerful diesel with an automatic transmission (which is only available in the top version of the Shine package), you will have to take into account the cost of at least PLN 990.

Renault Espace

The French brand has been producing MPV cars, that is, family vans, for many years. However, few people know what a crazy idea the French came up with in 1995. They decided to take the Renault Espace into the workshop, widened its wheel arches, reinforced the structure with a roll cage and placed in the center the 3,5-liter V10 engine (yes, 10!) that still powered Formula 1 cars. the unit had 700 hp. Do you think the power was reduced due to fear of structural strength? Absolutely! Following the principle "the sky is the limit", another 120 ponies were added and they were all transferred to the rear axle of a crazy minivan. With such a car, you will never be late for kindergarten with your children. You would reach the first hundred in 2,8 seconds (motorcycles accelerate worse), and up to 200 km / h in 6,9 seconds. The idea, however, was so crazy (I wonder why...) that it ended up being one concept piece.

But back to earth. The power of the Espace F1 concept could be shared by several modern vans from the Renault stable. The most powerful offer is the Energy TCe225 gasoline engine with a displacement of 1,8 liters and a capacity of 224 horsepower. Peak torque is 300 Nm and is available at 1750 rpm. We will see the first hundred on the counter "a little" later than in the case of the Tour concept van, after 7,6 seconds. The maximum speed is exactly as much as the horsepower hidden under the hood - 224 km / h.

When choosing a diesel option, we do not have such powerful units at our disposal. The honor of the diesel is protected only by a 160-horsepower 1.6 dCi. The maximum torque of 380 Nm allows you to develop the first 100 km / h in 9,9 seconds, and the speedometer needle can rise to 202 km / h.

Both of the most powerful units in the Renault Espace engine range are available only in the second Zen trim level. The cost of the version with the Energy TCe225 engine starts from PLN 142, and the 900 dCi starts from PLN 1.6. When choosing the top variant Initiale Paris you need to prepare 145 167 zlotys for the 900-horsepower petrol version and 224 zlotys. zlotys per hp diesel engine

Opel Zafira

Opel began production of this compact MPV in 1999. Unofficially, Zafira is considered the successor to the Sintra model, which, however, was not very popular in Europe. The Zafira, on the other hand, was the first K-segment family car that Opel showed to the world. It was also one of the first minivans to carry 7 people on board, with over 2,2 million units sold to date.

The third generation of the model, marked with the symbol C, is currently on the market. The car called Tourer has been produced since 2011, and in 2016 it underwent a facelift.

There are two promising offerings in the engine lineup. Of the gasoline engines, we have a modest - at first glance - 1.6 PCs. However, looking at the technical data, it turns out that the inconspicuous unit produced as much as 200 horsepower. Its maximum torque is 280 Nm and it is available in a very wide range from 1650 to 5000 rpm. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h will take the 200-horsepower Zafira 8,8 seconds, and the maximum speed will also be 220 km / h.

Opel also has a fairly powerful 2.0 CDTI EcoTec diesel engine, which boasts a considerable power of 170 hp. and a maximum torque of 400 Nm (1750-2500 rpm). The diesel engine can be used either with a 6-speed manual (then it will accelerate to hundreds in 9,8 seconds, and the maximum speed will be 208 km / h), or with an automatic transmission - also with 6 gears (0-100 km / h in 10,2 s, maximum speed 205 km/h).

We might have a Zafira with a 200 hp 1.6 petrol engine. for PLN 95. We will buy a 750 hp diesel engine. with a manual transmission from PLN 170, and with an automatic transmission - from PLN 97.

Volkswagen Turan

Although the Volkswagen Touran is not a very popular model, it has already had three generations. The first appeared on the market in 2003 and was produced for 7 years in a row. We currently have the third generation of the model on the market for 2 years.

When deciding to buy a family car, we often do not want to give up dynamic engines. Volkswagen has quite dynamic offers in its offer, both for lovers of spark ignition engines and compression ignition engines.

By opting for a petrol engine, we can equip the Touran with a 180 TSI 1.8-horsepower unit paired with a 7-speed DSG gearbox. It produces a maximum torque of 250 Nm, available in the earliest rev range from 1250 to 5000 rpm. It reaches 100 km/h in 8,3 seconds and has a top speed of 218 km/h.

Having opted for the diesel option, we shouldn't be disappointed either. The popular 2.0 TDI engine develops 190 hp. and 400 Nm of torque (1900–3300 rpm). This time around, the dual-clutch DSG transmission has 6 gears, and the first 8,2 will be visible on the speedometer in 220 seconds, very similar to the aforementioned petrol variant. Both cars are similar in top speed. Diesel accelerates to XNUMX km / h.

The 1.8 horsepower 180 TSI is only available in the highest equipment version of the Highline, and for the 2018 model it cost PLN 116. When choosing a top-end diesel, we also do not have the option of choosing an equipment option. The most powerful diesel engine with 090 hp. clearly tied to luxury because it is also only available in the Highline version and costs PLN 190. 

Fortunately, we don't have to give up driving pleasure.

Expanding the family sooner or later may mean the need to change cars. If with one or two children we can handle an ordinary passenger car, then with three or more children, logistical problems will begin. Fortunately, manufacturers are thinking not only about the comfort and safety of the smallest passengers, but also about dynamic engines. Fortunately, despite the increase in the family, we do not have to give up the pleasure of driving.

Ranging

I. Power [km]

Gas engines:

1. Ford S-Max 2.0 EcoBoost – 240 km;

2. BMW 225i Active Tourer – 231 km;

3. Renault Espace Energy TCe225 – 224 km;

4. Opel Zafira 1.6 pcs - 200 km;

5. Volkswagen Touran 1.8 TSI – 180 km;

6. Citroen C4 Picasso 1.6 THP — 165 .

Diesel engines:

1. Ford S-Max 2.0 TDCi Twin-Turbo – 210 km;

2. BMW 220d Active Tourer — 190 km / Volkswagen Touran 2.0 TDI — 190 km;

3. Opel Zafira 2.0 CDTI EcoTec – 170 km;

4. Renault Espace 1.6 dCi – 160 km;

5. Citroen C4 Picasso 2.0 BlueHDi – 150 km.

II. Acceleration 0-100 [s]

Gas engines:

1. BMW 225i Active Tourer – 6,3 s (xDrive), 6,6 s (FWD);

2. Renault Espace Energy TCe225 – 7,6s;

3. Volkswagen Touran 1.8 TSI – 8,3с;

4. Ford S-Max 2.0 EcoBoost – 8,4с / Citroen C4 Picasso 1.6 THP – 8,4;

5. Opel Zafira 1.6 pcs - 8,8 s.

Diesel engines:

1. BMW 220d Active Tourer – 7,3 s (xDrive), 7,6 s (FWD);

2. Volkswagen Touran 2.0 TDI – 8,2 ;

3. Ford S-Max 2.0 TDCi Twin-Turbo – 8,8 с;

4. Citroen C4 Picasso 2.0 BlueHDi – 9,7с;

5. Opel Zafira 2.0 CDTI EcoTec – 9,8 c;

6. Renault Espace 1.6 dCi – 9,9 sec.

III. Max speed [km/h]

Gas engines:

1. BMW 225i Active Tourer — 235 km/h (xDrive), 238 km/h (FWD);

2. Ford S-Max 2.0 EcoBoost — 226 km/h;

3. Renault Espace Energy TCe225 – 224 km/h;

4. Opel Zafira 1.6 SHT – 220 km/h;

5. Volkswagen Touran 1.8 TSI — 218 km/h;

6. Citroen C4 Picasso 1.6 THP — 210 /ч.

Diesel engines:

1. BMW 220d Active Tourer — 222 km/h (xDrive), 227 km/h (FWD);

2. Volkswagen Touran 2.0 TDI – 220 km/h;

3. Ford S-Max 2.0 TDCi Twin-Turbo — 218 km/h;

4. Citroen C4 Picasso 2.0 BlueHDi – 209 km/h;

5. Opel Zafira 2.0 CDTI EcoTec – 208 km/h;

6. Renault Espace 1.6 dCi – 202 km/h.

IV. Trunk volume [l]:

Reclined seats:

1. Ford S-Max - 1035 l;

2. Volkswagen Turan - 834l;

3. Renault Espace - 680 l;

4. Opel Zafira – 650 l;

5. Citroen C4 Picasso - 537 liters;

6. BMW Series 2 Active Tourer - 468 HP

Folded Seats:

1. Renault Espace - 2860 l;

2. Ford S-Max - 2200 l;

3. Volkswagen Turan - 1980l;

4. Opel Zafira – 1860 l;

5. Citroen C4 Picasso - 1560 liters;

6. BMW Series 2 Active Tourer - 1510 HP

V. Base price [PLN]

Gas engines:

1. Citroen C4 Picasso 1.6 THP – 85 990 zlotych;

2. Opel Zafira 1.6 SHT - PLN 95;

3. Volkswagen Touran 1.8 TSI – PLN 116;

4. Ford S-Max 2.0 EcoBoost - PLN 133;

5. Renault Espace Energy TCe225 - PLN 142;

6. BMW 225i Active Tourer - PLN 157

Diesel engines:

1. Citroen C4 Picasso 2.0 BlueHDi – 85 900 zlotych;

2. Opel Zafira 2.0 CDTI EcoTec – PLN 97;

3. Volkswagen Touran 2.0 TDI - PLN 129;

4. BMW 220d Active Tourer – PLN 142;

5. Renault Espace 1.6 dCi - PLN 145;

6. Ford S-Max 2.0 TDCi Twin-Turbo - PLN 154.