7 Seater Cars 2012 
Fiat Multipla – Six Seater Car
On its release in 1998, the Fiat Multipla claimed the Car of the Year award and although it had suspect design qualities, it was and still is one of the most practical and usable six seat MPVs on the market. Based loosely on the Bravo/Brava floor-plan, it is surprisingly huge inside and can fit five passengers and driver with ease. It has two rows of three seats. Prices range from £15,030 to £19,255, although the recommended model is the 1.9 Multijet Dynamic Plus or Family, which cost around £17,000.
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Fiat Multipla – Car Tax Band (VED)
The Multipla falls into the G tax band, which is common for a car of this size and weight. It does mean that it isn't the cheapest to tax every year, but it's frugality, versatility and relatively low cost price make up for it.
Fiat Multipla – C02 Emissions
Just failing to dip under the 150g/km CO2, the Fiat Multipla 1.9 diesel engine that powers most of Fiat's oil-burner fleet pumps out a reasonable 164g/km CO2. Fiat still have some way to designing and churning out more eco-friendly engines, but those CO2 figures have been on a decline over the past few years.
Fiat Multipla – Safety Ratings
It's one of the safest MPVs in its class, with a Euro NCAP crash rating of 5, and it comes with a whole host of safety features, such as seatbelt pre-tensioners, ABS, traction control, six airbags and electronic brake force distribution.
Fiat Multipla – Insurance Group
Despite a high insurance group (19D), the Fiat Multipla makes up the expense with excellent fuel economy, 45.6mpg on average, and that multi-jet engine barely sips any diesel when driven economically.
Fiat Multipla – Comfort Levels
Comfort levels are very high in the Fiat Multipla, with soft, arm chair-like seats and good access from the wide-opening doors, it's much more comfortable than a Zafira, for instance. The driver has excellent visibility from sitting up high in the cabin, but that does have an affect on its handling and it can seem a little too tall and uneasy in the corners.
Fiat Multipla – Interior Design
Surprisingly for a company that owns one of the most lavish and extravagant car companies, Ferrari, that it's own models feel cheap and have quite ugly interiors. The plastics are very 'scratchy' and don't have the sheer quality of a VW or the ergonomic design of a Ford, but everything does work as it should.
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Fiat Multipla – Performance
The performance isn't going to blow you away, nor do the engines have enough grunt to dispatch inclines with ease. The benchmark 0-60mph time comes in at around 12.2 seconds and with only 120bhp on tap, it's one of the slowest in its class. The diesels are frugal but they sound strained when worked hard.
Fiat Multipla – Conclusion
With such a high centre of gravity, the Fiat isn't comfortable on long, sweeping bends that we have in the UK, but around town, that high-up driving position does come in handy. There is quite a lot of pitching and diving when braking, due to the soft suspension set up, but that is the trade-off for having a comfortable ride during normal driving conditions.
Since winning Car of the Year, it has been ingrained in people's minds that if you want a practical car, buy a Fiat Multipla. There are cubby-holes, door bins, a huge boot and acres of room in there. Even with all of the seats full, there is still luggage room. Tall people have plenty of room in there too, with good leg- and head-room.
