Carrying it off well; used car shootout

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), August 31, 2007

Byline: MIKE TORPEY

MIKE TORPEY'S series spotlighting the best used cars on the market pits some of the most popular models in a head-to-head shoot-out aimed at finding the finest - and best-value - cars in each sector. This week sees a pair of uniquely different people carriers, the Mitsubishi Grandis and Fiat Multipla, do battle in the medium-size MPV category

THE name Grandis may not quite match the sense of wonder inspired by its predecessor the Space Wagon, but its abilities certainly take the model from Mitsubishi to a new frontier.

At its 2004 launch, buyers had to make do with a 2.4-litre petrol engine, but the following year a 2.0- litre DI-D turbodiesel unit arrived, giving the range not only the sort of economy the petrol version lacked, but also some genuine punch.

The Grandis is a breath of fresh air in that it provides space for seven with room to spare, commendable performance and economy plus a thoughtful interior, all wrapped up in a dynamic design.

Being realistic, few people carrier drivers have all the seats in use at once, preferring to chop and change the passenger or luggage space.

With that in mind Mitsubishi came up with a system not too dissimilar from the Flex7 operation seen in the Vauxhall Zafira.

In the Grandis's case it's called Hide & Seat, a third row of two individual chairs that tuck away into the floor. Nor are these mere apologies for seats, as both are large with adjustable backrests, and they can also be folded flat to create a temporary bed.

As the Mitsubishi is lowerslung than most cars of its type, it not only feels less van-like to drive but also rides and handles well, though there is some understeer.

Expect to pay a franchised dealer around pounds 9,000 for a Grandis 2.4 Classic on a 2004- 04 plate or pounds 13,500 for a 2005-55 registered 2.0 D-ID Classic model.

Meanwhile, you have to applaud Fiat's willingness to laugh at itself.

From the front it looks like some drawings got transposed in the design studio so that the top half of one concept got plonked on the bottom half of another.

But for all its mutated dolphin looks, this is one truly inspired Fiat, one that has taken a novel approach to fitting six people plus their luggage comfortably into an MPV less than 12ft long.

Diesel is the clear form choice here, the original 1.9 JTD model having evolved since launch from 105bhp to 110 the following year, 115 in 2002 and up to 120bhp last year.

A revamped Multipla with more conservative exterior arrived almost three years ago.

Expect to pay an independent dealer around pounds 4,600 for a 115bhp Multipla 1.9 JTD SX model on a 2002-02 plate.

Post-2004 models come in Dynamic, Dynamic Plus and Eleganza trim and you should be able to pick up a 2005-55 registered 1.9 (115bhp) JTD Dynamic from an independent dealer for around pounds 8,850.

THE VERDICT

MODEL: Mitsubishi Grandis.

DRIVING: High driving position, dash-mounted gear lever and quiet engines make the Grandis an appealing car to drive.

PERFORMANCE: 2.0 D-ID has more punch than the 2.4 petrol model.

ECONOMY: Diesel is definitely the way to go with an mpg return of 40mpg plus.

RECOMMENDED BUY: Grandis 2.0 D-ID Classic.

STAR RATING (out of five):****

MODEL: Fiat Multipla.

DRIVING: Good seating position, enjoyable to drive, cruises easily on main roads.

PERFORMANCE: 0-62 in 12.6 secs and top speed of 106mph from 1.6-litre model. JTDs are quicker.

ECONOMY: Stick with the diesel for best mpg, though 1.6 will return 33mpg.

RECOMMENDED BUY: Multipla 1.9 JTD (115) SX.

STAR RATING (out of five):****

CAPTION(S):

DIFFERENT TACKS - the Mitsubishi and Fiat, below