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In recent years the sales of small, midsize and large Multi-Purpose Vehicles (MPVs) have fallen significantly. In 2017, all these segments experienced differing levels of decline across the whole year:
- Large: -15%
- Midsize: -8%
- Small: -44%
For midsize MPVs this represented six consecutive quarters of falling sales, while for those in the large segment, sales were down on 2016 but higher than 2014 and 2015. Still, this represents a trend that MPVs, once the best large family car option, could be disappearing. Is that really the case though and if so, why now?
The Growing SUV Trend
While MPV sales have fallen, SUVs have risen and, in many ways, taken their place. There are many reasons for SUVs growing in popularity as they accounted for 25.6% of new vehicle registrations across Europe compared to just 9.5% for MPVs. Improved practicality, refined styling and the greater range offered by a lot of manufacturers has seen the number of SUVs on our roads increase and MPVs decrease.
In many ways a family SUV offers the same benefits as an MPV, with plenty of space to seat five or seven people, spacious boots ideal for filling up for holidays, sports gear, camping equipment and more. As a family SUV they have improved in style and fuel economy too, putting them nearly on a par with MPVs. Plus, many MPVs have been replaced, such as with the New Peugeot 5008 and 3008 models.
Big Family Cars on the Decline
Lists of the latest best family cars available are now filled with a mixture of quality sedans and SUVs, with maybe one or two MPVs. The days of the best large family car being a seven-seater MPV could be numbered, as more drivers are starting to prefer SUV and crossover models with higher driving positions and a better style than the less fashionable MPVs.
Should sales of small to large MPVs continue to fall and SUVs rise, then some manufacturers may consider fazing them out when introducing facelifted or new vehicles. For there to be something of a comeback for these big family cars, newer models will need to reflect the changing attitudes of drivers. This will include family cars that feature low emissions, with hybrid and electric versions, a greatly improved style and greater fuel economy along with the latest technology.
Future of Family Cars
Despite all this, big family cars may not be fully disappearing, just we could see less of them around. Citroën CEO Linda Jackson recently announced as much by saying: “C5 production stopped in 2017. We will replace it. We want a large car. But that’s not a priority right now. SUVs are.”
That pretty much sums up where family cars are at the moment. There is still a need for them and there are plans for future releases of big family cars, but as SUVs have grown in popularity they remain the priority in the large car market for many manufacturers. For anyone who wants an MPV family car you can still find many on the second-hand market, such as a used Citroën C4 Picasso and many more.
