Mini MPV— an abbreviation for mini

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 i ...

— 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, pass ...

for the smallest size of

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 i ...

s/MPVs. The mini MPV size class sits below the

compact MPV Compact MPV (an abbreviation for Compact Multi-Purpose Vehicle) is a vehicle size class for the middle size of MPVs. The Compact MPV size class sits between the mini MPV and large MPV (minivan) size classes. Compact MPVs remain predominantly ...

size class and the vehicles are often built on the platforms of B-segment hatchback models. By the European definition, the mini MPV commonly consists of cars with two rows of seats, while in Asia mini MPVs with three rows are common. Sliding doors are sometimes also fitted to mini MPVs. Mini MPV are also called tall-hatchback or small MPV. __TOC__

Characteristics

Europe

Mini MPVs are typically based on the

platform Platform may refer to: Technology * Computing platform, a framework on which applications may be run * Platform game, a genre of video games * Car platform, a set of components shared by several vehicle models * Weapons platform, a system ...

of a B-segment (supermini/subcompact) hatchback, with a raised roof and five-door body. The raised roof allows for higher H-point seating and easy passenger access compared with traditional hatchbacks. Often the rear seats can recline, slide, tumble, fold flat or easily be removed, allowing users to reconfigure the rear passenger and cargo volumes for each journey. The segment was created as a result of the diversification of

s in the late 1990s. An early usage of the term ''mini-MPV'' was in 2000, although the vehicles referred to at the time would now be classified as

s. Writing for '' The Telegraph'' in 2004, noted automotive journalist

James May James Daniel May (born 16 January 1963) is an English television presenter and journalist. He is best known as a co-presenter of the motoring programme ''Top Gear'' alongside Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond from 2003 until 2015. He also s ...

wrote that mini-MPV's ''"are invariably based on an existing hatchback, but offer more headroom, extra 'oddments storage'... and perhaps a touch of sliding seat tomfoolery in the back.... what we are seeing with the mini-MPV is the re-invention of the hatchback, nothing more. It's a good idea, and long overdue, but that's all it is."'' In the late 2010s, the mini MPV segment has shrunk with many consumers opting to buy B-segment (

subcompact Subcompact car is a North American classification for cars smaller than a compact car. It is broadly equivalent to the B-segment (Europe), supermini (Great Britain) or A0-class (China) classifications. According to the U.S. Environmental Pro ...

)

crossover SUV A crossover, crossover SUV, or crossover utility vehicle (CUV) is a type of automobile with an increased ride height that is built on unibody chassis construction shared with passenger cars, as opposed to traditional sport utility vehicles ...

s that offer similar practicality with better design and capability. Many manufacturers chose to discontinue its models in favour of subcompact crossover SUVs. In 2013, there are 13 models competing in the segment with total sales volume of 450,897 units, to just four models with 93,720 sold in 2019. In terms of practicality and its basic form, this category often overlaps with the similar B-segment (

)

. Several manufacturers have introduced a crossover SUV to replace mini MPVs in Europe due to dwindling sales, the examples are the Citroën C3 Aircross which replaced the

Citroën C3 Picasso The Citroën C3 Picasso is a car produced by the French motor company Citroën from 2008–2017. It has a five-door mini MPV design and was first unveiled at the 2008 Paris Motor Show as a concept car named "Drooneel". The Picasso is the mi ...

and Opel Crossland X replacing the Opel Meriva. Both offered more headroom and legroom space compared to normal B-segment/subcompact hatchbacks. B-segment SUVs usually ride higher, feature a higher and longer bonnet, equipped with black plastic overfenders or body kits, and marketed as such. File:2017 Hyundai Ix20 SE 1.4.jpg, Hyundai ix20 (2010–2020) File:2014 Fiat 500L Lounge 1.4.jpg,

Fiat 500L The Fiat 500L is a car manufactured by Fiat under the FCA Serbia joint venture and marketed globally since its debut at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show. It is classified as a Mini MPV. Based on a variant of the ''FCA Small Wide platform'', th ...

(2012–2017) File:Ford B-Max Titanium – Frontansicht, 22. Februar 2014, Ratingen.jpg,

Ford B-Max The Ford B-Max (stylized as Ford B-MAX) code name: B232, is a mini MPV ( M-segment) manufactured by Ford Europe from 2012 to 2017. Built on the Ford global B platform, it was initially unveiled as a concept car at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, ...

(2012–2017) File:Opel Meriva (B) – Frontansicht, 12. Juni 2011, Ratingen.jpg, Opel Meriva (2003–2017)

Asia

Mini MPVs (also called small MPVs, sometimes also mixed or used interchangeably with

class) apart from the cars matching the European definition could also include B-segment MPVs with three rows of seats with the length shorter than . They are also sometimes equipped with rear sliding doors. This category is common in Japan, Southeast Asia and India, where cars with a smaller footprint and large cabin space are preferred. File:Daihatsu THOR G"SA II" (DBA-M900S) front.jpg,

Daihatsu Thor The (also called and ) is a mini MPV with sliding doors designed and manufactured by Daihatsu, and sold by Daihatsu, Toyota and Subaru. It is a five-seat MPV based on the M700 series Boon and was introduced on 9 November 2016 as the successor ...

(2016–present) File:Renault Triber (front view).png, Renault Triber (2019–present) File:2013 Suzuki Ertiga 1.4 GX wagon (ZE81S; 01-20-2019), South Tangerang.jpg,

Suzuki Ertiga The Suzuki Ertiga is a car manufactured by the Japanese carmaker Suzuki since 2012. It is a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) with standard three-row seating. The first-generation model is heavily based on the Swift while the second-generation model i ...

(2012–present) File:2017 Toyota Sienta (XP150) 1.5V van (2017-11-28) 01.jpg, Toyota Sienta (2003–present) File:2017 Daihatsu Sigra 1.2 X Deluxe wagon (B401RS; 01-12-2019), South Tangerang.jpg, Daihatsu Sigra (2016–present)

North America

Although mini MPV presence in this region is small, several cars that match the description of a European mini MPV are marketed in the region as another category, as the 'mini MPV' phrase is not commonly used by journalists, manufacturers and regulators. An example is the Kia Soul, which is prominently marketed as a subcompact crossover SUV or a subcompact hatchback. File:2020 Kia Soul GT-Line 2.0L front (2) 5.31.19.jpg, Kia Soul (2008–present) File:2009 Nissan cube 1.8SL -- 11-23-2009.jpg,

Nissan Cube The Nissan Cube is a mini MPV produced by carmaker Nissan between 1998 to 2019. Initially sold only in Japan, the Cube was sold in North American markets from 2009 to 2014, and in European markets from 2009 to 2011. In Japan, it was exclusive ...

(2009–2014) File:2001-2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser.jpg,

Chrysler PT Cruiser The Chrysler PT Cruiser is a retro-styled compact car manufactured and marketed internationally by Chrysler in 5-door hatchback wagon (2001–2010) and 2-door convertible (2005–2008) body styles—over a single generation, with an intermedia ...

(2000–2010)

Models

Market share

Europe

In 2018, sales of mini-MPVs in Europe represented 1% of the total market. The top five selling mini-MPVs in Europe in 2018 were the

, Honda Fit/Jazz, Hyundai ix20, Kia Venga and

. The sales trend for previous years is: * 2012: 411,833 sales * 2013: 450,897 sales * 2014: Sales plateaued at just over 400,000 annual sales, as sales of small crossovers increased. * 2015: Sales fell 15% to 350,000 as small crossover segment increased. This was the lowest figure for the segment since 2003 when the first generation Opel Meriva appeared. * 2016: By the first quarter, sales fell 20% after the 15% drop in 2015. The Fiat 500L was the segment sales leader.

North America

In the United States, the mini-MPV category has included the

, with 30,000 sales from 2013–2017. In Canada, as of 2013, the market for mini-MPV's was not "large, and even the overarching minivan segment is gradually shrinking as the industry expands."

References

{{Automobile configuration Car classifications