The MPV - or 'multi-purpose vehicle' - is a fantastic option for those looking for optimal space and performance. However, due to their size, they are not often associated with eco-friendly driving. If you want to do your bit to help the environment, but can't give up the convenience that an MPV offers, then it might be time to trade in your car for one of these big, green eco-driving machines.
Ford C-MAX - The five-seat C-MAX from Ford is spacious, comfortable and aesthetically appealing - and very environmentally friendly, with impressively modest ratings for CO2 emissions, and great fuel economy for an MPV.
It is also extremely fun to drive, and makes use of the same chassis as the Ford Focus hatchback, ensuring that it handles brilliantly.
The five-seat version of the C-MAX comes with EcoBoost petrol engines, hill start assist, a rear view camera and many more features. It is also available in a seven-seat version, which also comes with rear sliding doors.
Citro?n C3 Picasso - Citro?n's five-seater MPV is also very spacious, with excellent headroom and legroom for driver and passengers. You can open up the boot space available by splitting and sliding the rear seats, which will increase its volume considerably.
The C3 Picasso boasts a fuel economy of more than 40 miles per gallon, as well as a comfortable driving experience and excellent control. You can also benefit from its panoramic windscreen, rear parking sensors and panoramic sun roof - ideal for eco-friendly summer driving.
Toyota Verso - Toyota is known for producing robust and reliable cars that are nonetheless refined and elegant, and the Verso is no exception. This MPV boasts a practical cabin and a seating capacity of seven, as well as rear seats that fold completely away when not needed - significantly increasing the available space. Despite offering all of these features, it is still one of the most impressively green multi-purpose vehicles on the market, with a fuel economy rating of more than 50 miles per gallon.
Citro?n Grand C4 Picasso - Citro?n makes the list twice, this time with the seven-seat Grand C4 Picasso MPV. It is one of the most eco-friendly cars of its class, boasting an average fuel economy rating of 53.3 miles per gallon, and comes with EGS semi-automatic transmission - which helps it to be even cleaner.
In addition, it can be offered with pneumatic suspension, automatic air conditioning and a built-in entertainment centre with screens, which can play two DVDs simultaneously - making it the perfect squabble-free car for long family drives!
Peugeot 5008 - The 5008 represents Peugeot's first entry into the MPV market, and comes packed with features, including parking assistance, distance alert, optional video packs and the super-safe Electronic Stability Programme to prevent skids. It is very spacious, and also comes with innovative storage spaces dotted around the vehicle for that little extra bit of room. The energy-saving e-HDI 112 FAP EGC version can manage an impressive fuel economy rating of more than 50 miles per gallon when driving in urban situations.