The once-unfashionable multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) is staging a comeback, not under its original label, but as 'stealth MPVs' – practical, van-derived vehicles that offer ample space for families seeking alternatives to increasingly dominant sport utility vehicles (SUVs).
Analysis of vehicle registrations by data experts Vehicle Data Global (VDG) indicates a significant rise in the popularity of these people carriers. After a substantial decline where MPVs saw a 98% drop by 2025 compared to their mid-2000s peak, registrations have increased by 36% in the last three years. Ben Hermer, operations director at VDG, notes that this trend represents an "effective relaunch of the sector as the stealth MPV."
The Decline and Resurgence of the MPV
In the early 2000s, models like the Vauxhall Zafira, Renault Megane Scenic, Ford Galaxy, and Citroen Xsara Picasso were common sights on roads. The Ford Galaxy, in particular, was a consistent top-seller in Britain. However, the appeal of the MPV waned as SUVs, perceived as more stylish, gained market traction. Manufacturers subsequently discontinued many popular MPV models, including the Volkswagen Sharan and Citroen Grand C4 Picasso in 2022, followed by the Ford Galaxy and Volkswagen Touran in 2023.
This shift led MPV registrations to hit a low point in 2022. Concurrently, SUV sales flourished, accounting for 33% of all new registrations in Britain in 2024, a considerable increase from 12% a decade prior, according to the Society for Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
Renault's design director, Gilles Vidal, acknowledged in 2024 that the traditional "monobox" MPV design had fallen out of fashion. However, drivers are now reportedly prioritizing practicality and value, leading to the resurgence of these vehicles.
From a low of 41,610 registrations in 2022, the MPV market grew for three consecutive years, reaching 56,717 by 2025, a 36% increase. This comeback is driven by vehicles that embrace their utilitarian design, such as the Dacia Jogger, which has become a leading model in the people carrier segment.
Leading the Charge: Van-Derived People Carriers
Several van-derived models are spearheading this revival. Ford's Tourneo, a van-derived people carrier, saw registrations climb to 7,574 in 2025, a stark contrast to just 336 a decade earlier. The Custom variant accounts for a significant portion of these sales.
Peugeot's Rifter and Vauxhall's Combo Life, both built on commercial van platforms, have each surpassed 2,000 annual sales. VDG describes these vehicles as effectively MPVs without the official designation.
The Dacia Jogger, a more recent entrant, has achieved considerable success since its introduction, recording 10,224 registrations by 2024, outperforming all other remaining MPV models combined.
Beyond these standout models, the broader trend is evident. The number of individual people-carrier brands registering 200 or more units annually increased from a low of 43 in 2022 to 70 by 2025. This suggests renewed manufacturer investment in the segment, driven by sustained consumer demand for the practicality that these vehicles offer, even if they are now marketed under different labels like "crossover" or simply as van-based passenger vehicles.