Nine electric MPVs that prove you don't need an SUV

We’re big fans of Volkswagen's reborn Type 2, and while we were forced to wait for it, a couple of years after launch the German carmaker released a long-wheelbase version, with room for up to seven passengers. Finally, the proper MPV we’d all been waiting for.

Measuring almost five metres head to tail – up 25cm over the ‘standard’ Buzz – it offers three seating configurations: five (two up front, three in the back), six (two up front, two in the middle, two in the back), or the full seven (two/three/two). With all the seats in place you still get a very reasonable 306 litres of boot space.

The extended wheelbase also allows for a bigger 91kWh (85kWh useable) battery, up from 82kWh (77kWh useable), plus a more powerful 282bhp e-motor. There’s even a sporty GTX version, with 335bhp to play with…

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For now, the VW ID.Buzz’s only real threat on our shores is this, the Kia PV5. It’s no secret that the Koreans are on a hot run of form when it comes to our new electric era, and based on our first impressions the PV5 is set to follow suit.

Measuring in slightly smaller than the Buzz, but getting the same five, six or seven seat setup, it sits on the same E-GMP platform that underpins everything from Kia EV3 to Hyundai Ioniq 9. Underneath there’s a single motor FWD setup (120/160bhp) and two battery options (51.5/71kWh), with a claimed range of up to 256 miles.

Sure, the cabin might be slightly drearier than the VW, but the PV5’s real trump card is the price tag, which starts at £32,995 or £35,995 for the long range. Fully loaded, it’s £38,295, more than £20,000 shy of the entry price for a VW ID.Buzz. Wow.

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The Li Auto Mega was unveiled at the Beijing Motor Show back in 2023 with space age looks – partially thanks to ex-Porsche designer Ben Baum, who had a hand in the 992-gen 911, quite the career move – and the pressure of being the Chinese firm’s first full electric car.

But it had the substance to match the looks too. Wind tunnel tests had proven an extremely low drag coefficient of 0.215Cd, the lowest of any MPV globally currently in production, and better than a Porsche Taycan no less. Li Auto also claimed a range of 350-400 miles, thanks to the whopping 102.7kWh battery beneath the floor.

But it was inside that was the real talking point, with a 2+2+3 seating layout, including captains' (heated and massaging) chairs and a ceiling-mounted 17in display in the second row, plus a 21-speaker audio system. Sadly, we’re told it’ll never come to the UK.

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Meet the Zeekr 009. Zeekr, in case you’re not aware, is Chinese megacorp Geely’s – owner of several familiar automotive names including Lotus, Polestar, Smart and Volvo – upmarket all-electric brand for its home market. Certainly not shy, that's for sure.

The all-electric luxury MPV is based on the same Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA) platform as other Geely products like the Smart #1 and Volvo EX30, only here it’s been extended to allow for more cabin room. Speaking of, inside it gets three rows of two seats, all the Nappa leather, and a 15.6in fold down screen for rear passengers.

It’s also the first car – if you can call it that– to get Geely’s new 140kWh ‘Qilin’ battery, allowing for a hugely impressive 511 miles of range. And it’s not short of power either, courtesy of its 536bhp twin-motor powertrain. Just don’t forget the sick bags.

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“A Scandinavian living room on the move.” That’s how Volvo refers to its first fully premium electric SUV, with such features including lounge seats with “zero-gravity cushions”, a fold-down 15.6in rear infotainment screen, and Scandi nature/Asian art-inspired styling.

Multipurpose, too. Volvo says that with a flick of a switch you can easily turn the six-seater cabin into a theatre, meeting room or bedroom, while optimum ride comfort is ensured by dual-chamber air suspension and 19in or 20in aero wheels wrapped in ‘silent tyres’. Under all that skin it gets a 268bhp motor and 116kWh battery pack, good for up to 458 miles.

Sadly, however, there are currently no plans to introduce the EM90 to the UK, with it sold in mainland China only at time of writing, priced from ¥818,000 Renminbi (£91,520) – not bad, considering the cost of a house these days. The petition starts here…

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Black cabs might be the London Electric Vehicle Company’s – or LEVC for short – bread and butter but that hasn’t stopped it branching out elsewhere, including into vans and, latterly, this, its rather space-age MPV. Perhaps it’ll turn its attention to buses next.

While full details are currently a little short in supply, we’re told that it’ll be available in six or eight-seat configurations, and interior pictures suggest it’ll get all the screens, with second row passengers getting individual displays plus a smaller control unit embedded in the armrests. There’s also a panoramic roof, ambient lighting, and a cow’s worth of leather.

And best of all, it’s set for our shores too. Yep, with a scheduled Chinese launch date of 2024, LEVC has announced that it’ll arrive in the UK sometime in the following two years. By which time there could be a few more family members to ferry around.

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Another day, another MPV from the Geely sub-brand. The Zeekr Mix, unveiled at the Auto China 2024 show in Beijing, is described as an “intelligent living room on wheels”, though for now we’ll have to take Zeekr’s word on that, because this is the only picture so far.

Fortunately, the firm has been kind enough to share a little more detail with us. We’re told it’ll be based on Geely’s SEA-M platform, which allows for a long wheelbase, flat floors, and acres of interior space, with multiple seating arrangements for up to six people. Plus, it should have a city-friendly turning radius of under five metres. Handy.

Measuring 4.7m long – a little shorter than the ID.Buzz LWB above – word is it’ll get a different rear door setup on opposing sides, with one sliding door on one side, and two opposite opening sliding doors on the other, creating a bigger opening. Stay tuned...

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The XPeng X9 has been a huge success story in its homeland since its launch, where it broke multiple sales records and went on to become the bestselling all-electric MPV in its first year on sale. Now, the Chinese firm has confirmed that it’s coming to the UK.

The headlines include zero-gravity seats (which reportedly make you feel like you’re floating in space), a karaoke machine (including six mics) and a 21.in rear entertainment screen (no explanation needed). It also gets heated seats across all three rows, automatic sliding doors on both sides and a panoramic roof to make the back feel more like a lounge.

Xpeng also says that when the third row of seats are folded the boot fits a double bed or five adult bikes standing upright. Who needs a campervan? Range is up to 436 or 403 miles, depending on which battery size you go for, 94.8kWh or 105kWh respectively.

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BYD’s premium sub-brand Denza is set for a full scale launch in the UK next year, and one of the first cars in the pipeline is this, the D9, which the Chinese carmaker was only too keen to show off at the Goodwood Festival of Speed earlier this year.

Bringing a whole new meaning to the term luxurious MPV, it’s basically a home cinema on wheels, with screens on the front seatbacks for second row passengers complete with individual control panels on each armrest, plus a refrigerator in between the front seats to keep any beverages cool. All that’s missing is the popcorn.

Oh, and the second row captain chairs are 10-way adjustable and come with heating, ventilation, a 10-point massage function, and footrests. Good luck getting the kids out. Claimed range is up to 385 miles from the 103kWh battery blade battery.