Budget & Compact MPV

[Aquace21]

I'm considering to upgrade to a MPV (used or new) to cater for increase of family headcount. Looking at a budget compact MPV where 2nd/3rd row space is the key considerable factor. Did a brief survey on some available models in the market and comprehensively tried them out. I'm 1.78m (77kg)and I used myself as a benchmark - if I'm comfortable in the 3rd row seat, then that should be it. How I tested the cars - sat in driver seat and adjust till comfy, then move to seat behind driver and adjust till comfy, then move to last row and see how it feels.

 

Below are the findings on 6 jap MPVs:

 

1. Old Wish.

Pros

- widely available in the used market. Can find some good deals for a 2-3yr old one

 

Cons

- 3rd row I find rather cramp. Feet cannot tuck in nicely under 2nd row. Feels like squating.

- entry to 3rd row is a little tough, as the 2nd row seat cannot collapse forward totally to allow more entry space. Also headroom is limited, so gotta bend down alot to enter.

- 3rd row seats easy to fold and with 50:50 split.

 

 

2. Stream (current)

Pros

- Sporty looking. Nicest exterior design of all

- 3rd row ok, slightly better than old Wish.

- 3rd row seats easy to fold and with 50:50 split.

 

Cons

- headroom a little tight

- entry to 3rd row same as old wish

- Feels like squating in the 3rd row.

 

 

3. Sienta

Pros

- Very spacious in 2nd & 3rd row.

- 3rd row is the most comfy. Feet can tuck in nicely under 2nd row. Tall seating, doesn't feel like squating.

- Most flexible 3rd row folding. Can even fold to store under 2nd row! Excellent!

- entry to 3rd row is a breeze with the tall headroom and 2nd row able to totally collapse forward.

- Power sliding door.

 

Cons

- Not so nice exterior

- Dash layout looks dated

- 2nd row floor got a irritating hump in the centre (mechanisim for the 2nd row to move fwd/bkward)

 

 

4. Freed (8GL from PI)

Pros

- Nice compact design but huge in interior space

- Superb headroom throughout (best of all the models)

- 3rd row is surprisingly comfy. Tall seating, doesn't feel like squating.

- 3rd row is quite wide. Can seat 2 adults + 1 small kid.

- entry to 3rd row is a breeze with the tall headroom and 2nd row able to totally collapse forward.

- Power sliding door.

- Full flat floor throughout

 

Cons:

- 3rd row folding is the least easy of all 4 models. Fold up and hang.

- Cabin a little plasticky

 

 

5. Wish (New model)

Pros

- Feels slightly bigger than the old model

- 3rd row more comfy than old Wish and Stream. Feet has abit of room to tuck under 2nd row

- Keyless entry and start

- 3rd row seats easy to fold and with 50:50 split.

 

Cons

- Headroom slightly better though still limited

- entry to 3rd row same as old wish

 

 

6. Nissan Lafesta (didn't intend to get a 2.0L one but just tried it out for fun)

Pros

- Good headroom

- Panoramic roof is cool! Cabin feels so much brighter

- Keyless entry and start

- Power sliding door

 

Cons

- 3rd row legroom feels like Wish. Very tight

- 3rd row folding scores the lowest among the lot. Cannot split 50:50. If want to seat 6 and need some boot space, this one fails.

 

 

 

 

After trying out 6 models in 1 day, I kinda narrow down to Sienta and Freed, given that their 3rd row ease of entry and space top the lot. In addition, their price and small engine capacity (road tax) and FC are good for the wallet in the long run. Sliding door for both is a big plus as well. I'm inclined a bit towards Freed being the fact that its a newer model, looks nicer, has a more modern dash design/layout, and has a much higher OMV ($18-$20k vs Sienta's around $14k). Price between the 2 are small (max $2k?). And the 8GL Freed has the slight advantage of being able to seat 8 (if the occassional need arise).

 

Freed is around $69 - $73k

Sienta is $69k

 

Anyone who is in a similar position as me and is considering these models as well? Any comments and feedbacks?

Edited September 7, 2009 by Aquace21

[Miles]

For your requirement of space and budget, there is another category you didnt explore .... they are called vans.

Toyota Hiace or Liteace, Hyundai Combi, .... etc

guarantee lots of space for 8, light on your wallet on roadtax, and probably fuel efficient too.

 

If die die must have minivan aka MPV .... usually 3rd row seats are for midgets or small children.... unless you buy full size MPV like Presage, Previa, Alphard, Odyssey, Stepwagon, C7, Espace, Galaxy, Voyager, etc...

 

i found that 80% of MPV owners use all 7 seats only 20% of the time. 80% of the time they drive alone. So, do you really need an MPV in the first place? If you do, is spaciousness in 3rd row very important?

Edited September 7, 2009 by Miles

[Silver_blade]

I agree with 'Miles'. If the 3rd row comfort is high in your priority...go for the full size MPVs. Most of those you tried are for occasional use of the 3rd row and for short journey. Alternatively, those people carrier that is base on large van are a good alternative cos of the extra height and the seating will have more height and more upright.

[Soho]

eh bro... why nobody thought of toyota pinic? it have v good space for 3rd row.. i am v big size.. about 100kg and i can sit comfortably in a pinic 3rd row..

[Ultramega]

i found that 80% of MPV owners use all 7 seats only 20% of the time. 80% of the time they drive alone. So, do you really need an MPV in the first place? If you do, is spaciousness in 3rd row very important?

 

Many people say this but i don't really agree. Yeah maybe they use all 7 seats only 20% of the time, but that 20% could be EVERY Sunday or some regular schedule. So, depending on how you look at it, even if it's just 20% it's sometimes still worth it.

[Yattokame]

freed.

look at your list of pros!

anyway, drove it for sometime. good stuff.

[Perrier]

eh bro... why nobody thought of toyota pinic? it have v good space for 3rd row.. i am v big size.. about 100kg and i can sit comfortably in a pinic 3rd row..

 

I hear ya!

 

A quick check on those 2005/1006 batches. High OMV (ard 26k) and COE (12-18k). A very good choice plus u enjoy the 110% ARF instead of the current 100%.

 

With a annual diff of about $500 in road tax, I would take the bigger car. Also decent FC if I am not wrong.

[Fcar]

How about Freed GL7? THe central walkthru feature is really attractive, and the 2 middel row's captains seats are comfy++

Edited September 8, 2009 by Fcar

[Sgnick]

Freed is around $69 - $73k

Sienta is $69k

 

Anyone who is in a similar position as me and is considering these models as well? Any comments and feedbacks?

 

Sienta should be way cheaper (at least $6K or more) than Freed, u should really ask around for best deal on Sienta, because if Sienta is same price as Freed might as well get the 8 seater Freed.

 

http://www.sgcarmart.com/new_cars/newcars_...p?CarCode=10026

 

Also, for Sienta please only buy the XLimited or the G (highest end) model. Other models do not come with the auto door.

 

Some links for you

http://forum.onemotoring.com.sg/mvnforum/m...ead?thread=2915

 

http://www.mycarforum.com/index.php?showto...24437&st=40

 

This one need register and login

http://forums.cjb.net/sgsienta.html

Edited September 8, 2009 by Sgnick

[Meadelx200]

eh bro... why nobody thought of toyota pinic? it have v good space for 3rd row.. i am v big size.. about 100kg and i can sit comfortably in a pinic 3rd row..

 

Yes, I've been driving the Picnic for nearly 3 years and it's spacious enough for 7 persons including 3 mid-siz luggage cases for a comfortable long trip to Malaysia.

Cons are that it is dated & not economical if you are driving alone most of the time. (though the 2l consumption is typical 9-10km/l)

 

I've yet to find a comparable replacement for the picinc ; i.e spaciousness , 1.8-2L, japanese refinement & price around S$80-85K .

Any suggestion?

[Miles]

Many people say this but i don't really agree. Yeah maybe they use all 7 seats only 20% of the time, but that 20% could be EVERY Sunday or some regular schedule. So, depending on how you look at it, even if it's just 20% it's sometimes still worth it.

 

That's why you see 50% of the cars on the road these days are MPVs.

[Yeshe]

why u dont look at suzuki APV? heard its 3rd row is very spacious and its cheap!

[Circuit]

theres also dai terios 7 seater

[Blackbird749]

How about the latest Proton Exora?? 1.6 MPV with seven seats and rear air con.

[Picanto]

How about the latest Proton Exora?? 1.6 MPV with seven seats and rear air con.

 

proton? its not reliable.

[Aquace21]

Hey all, thanks for all the inputs.

 

Yes, agree that probably only 15-20% of the time will require the full 7 seating, maybe even lesser. But then when you need it, you really need it. Thats why considering to change. Well, its exactly becoz of the "not so often" usage which is why I try to refrain from considering the full-size MPVs, which are generally poorer in FC, have higher running costs (insurance, rd tax) and are definitely more expensive upfront as well.

 

I'm surprised that the Freed and Sienta actually can seat adults quite comfortably in last row, so am really considering.

 

Havent tried the T7 and Exora though. But hmm.. proton..

 

Did not try the APV as well. But somehow I find that the car is very narrow. Can seat 3 in the 2nd row comfortably?

 

Maybe I havent asked around enough for the Sienta. I was quoted $69k for the highest end model.

Edited September 8, 2009 by Aquace21

[Aquace21]

Anyone bought Freed and how much is it when you bought?

[Johnson]

hi, can consider Mazda 5 too. It's rear sliding doors its really user friendly during boarding and unboarding. Price wise, should be around the same range.