Compact MPV (an abbreviation for Compact

Multi-Purpose Vehicle Minivan (sometimes called simply as van) is a North American car classification for vehicles designed to transport passengers in the rear seating row(s), with reconfigurable seats in two or three rows. The equivalent classification in Europe is ...

) is a

vehicle size class Vehicle size classes are series of ratings assigned to different segments of automotive vehicles for the purposes of vehicle emissions control and fuel economy calculation. Various methods are used to classify vehicles; in North America, passe ...

for the middle size of MPVs. The Compact MPV size class sits between the

mini MPV Mini MPV— an abbreviation for mini multi-purpose vehicle— is a vehicle size class for the smallest size of minivans/MPVs. The mini MPV size class sits below the compact MPV size class and the vehicles are often built on the platforms of B-s ...

and large MPV (

minivan Minivan (sometimes called simply as van) is a North American car classification for vehicles designed to transport passengers in the rear seating row(s), with reconfigurable seats in two or three rows. The equivalent classification in Europe is ...

) size classes. Compact MPVs remain predominantly a European phenomenon, although they are also built and sold in many Latin American and Asian markets. As of 2016, the only compact MPV sold widely in the United States was the

Ford C-Max The Ford C-Max (stylized as Ford C-MAX and previously called the Ford Focus C-Max) is a car produced by the Ford Motor Company from 2003 to 2019. It has a five-door compact multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) design. The Ford Grand C-Max has a longer wh ...

Characteristics

The flexibility of the interior seating is a common theme amongst compact MPVs. Many models have seats that can be individually folded or easily removed, and the upright seating positions maximises use of the interior space. The seating arrangement is usually either two rows (for a total of five seats) or three rows (for a total of seven seats), with the second row having three seats and the other row(s) having two seats. Some compact MPVs also three seats in both the front and rear rows, and are therefore referred to as six-seaters. Where a third row of seats is present, the seats are often smaller and intended for children or short distance travel only. In some cars, these seats can only carry a limited weight (less than an adult's weight). The third row of seating is usually optional, and is not available on all models of compact MPVs. Most compact MPVs do not have sliding doors as compared to the large-sized

Multi-purpose vehicle Minivan (sometimes called simply as van) is a North American car classification for vehicles designed to transport passengers in the rear seating row(s), with reconfigurable seats in two or three rows. The equivalent classification in Europe is ...

History

Predecessors to the compact MPV segment are the 1977 AMC Concept 80 AM Van, the 1978

Lancia Megagamma The Lancia Megagamma is a small, almost one-box, concept MPV, designed by Italdesign and introduced at the 1978 Turin Motor Show. In retrospect the Megagamma was more influential on later designs than it was itself successful, becoming the "con ...

and the 1982

Lada X-1 The Lada X-1 was a concept car designed by Lada in 1981. It can be seen as the forerunner of modern MPVs. The shape was very aerodynamic and like the later Fiat Multipla it also had the headlights up by the windscreen. The length of the car was ...

concept cars. Early production models of compact MPVs include, the 1982

Nissan Prairie The is an automobile manufactured and marketed by Nissan from 1981 to 2004. Considered a mini MPV or a compact MPV. It was also marketed as the Multi in Canada and the Stanza Wagon in the United States. In Japan, it was exclusive to '' Nissan Blu ...

and the 1991

Mitsubishi RVR The Mitsubishi RVR is a range of cars produced by Japanese manufacturer Mitsubishi Motors from 1991 to 2002 and then from 2010 until present. The first two generations were classified as compact multi-purpose vehicles (MPV), and the model intr ...

(marketed as "Space Runner" in Europe and "Expo LRV" in the United States). Others include the "well-reviewed but slow-selling" 1984-1987 Honda Civic Wagon and the 1982-1988 Tercel Wagon. The

Nissan Axxess The is an automobile manufactured and marketed by Nissan from 1981 to 2004. Considered a mini MPV or a compact MPV. It was also marketed as the Multi in Canada and the Stanza Wagon in the United States. In Japan, it was exclusive to '' Nissan Blue ...

had limited space behind its the second row seats, but featured rear sliding doors on both sides making it like a minivan that was "shrunk in the dryer." The

Mazda 5 , commonly referred to as simply Mazda, is a Japanese multinational automotive manufacturer headquartered in Fuchū, Hiroshima, Japan. In 2015, Mazda produced 1.5 million vehicles for global sales, the majority of which (nearly one mi ...

from 2005 to 2015. Although not classified at the time as MPVs, but variously described as space-efficient small people movers, functional high station wagons, or small vans. Examples of models - that consumers in the U.S. seemed to avoid because of "resistance to obvious utility" - include the "mini-minivan" 3-door hatchback wagons with a sliding side door on only the passenger side that were marketed as the

Eagle Summit The Eagle Summit is a line of subcompact cars produced for two generations by Mitsubishi and sold by Eagle from 1989 until 1996. It was marketed as a captive import by the Jeep-Eagle sales division that was established after Chrysler Corporati ...

Wagon,

Mitsubishi Expo An expo is a trade exposition. It may also refer to: Events and venues * World's fair, a large international public exposition * Singapore Expo, convention and exposition venue ** Expo Axis, one of the world's largest membrane roofs, constructe ...

, and

Plymouth Colt Plymouth () is a port city and unitary authority in South West England. It is located on the south coast of Devon, approximately south-west of Exeter and south-west of London. It is bordered by Cornwall to the west and south-west. Plymouth ...

Vista. Some claim that the 1996

Renault Scénic The Renault Scénic () is a car which was produced by French car manufacturer Renault, the first to be labelled as a small multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) in Europe. The first generation was based on the chassis of the Mégane, a small family car ...

is credited with creating the compact MPV segment. The 1999 Opel/Vauxhall/Chevrolet Zafira was the first compact MPV with seven seats.

Models

The five highest selling compact MPVs in Europe in 2018 were the

Volkswagen Touran The Volkswagen Touran is a car manufactured by German automaker Volkswagen since 2003 and sold in Europe and other select markets. A compact multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), it fills a gap in Volkswagen's model lineup between the Volkswagen Golf, w ...

, Citroën C4 Picasso, BMW 2 Series Active Tourer / Gran Tourer and

Mercedes-Benz B-Class The Mercedes-Benz B-Class is a subcompact executive car manufactured and marketed by Mercedes-Benz since 2005. Based on the A-Class with larger dimensions, the European New Car Assessment Programme ( Euro NCAP) classifies it as a small MPV. As ...

References

{{Automobile configuration Car classifications Compact MPVs