Thanks to them, you can abandon several passenger cars, not call a taxi, but get to the right place all together in one car.
To date, there are many different minibuses. We have compiled a ranking of the best to help you choose a vehicle.
Many motorists have a question, is it possible to drive a minibus with category B? Yes, if the minibus belongs to category B vehicles – the maximum permissible weight of which does not exceed 3500 kilograms and the number of seats, in addition to the driver’s seat, does not exceed 8. If the carrying capacity is higher and the number of seats is greater, you will have to open category D.
Top 5 rating according to “KP”
1. Hyundai H-1
Opens the rating of the Hyundai H-1 – roomy, convenient, comfortable. This car is recognized as the best in Australia. Inside the cabin, you can change the seating arrangements. The model has been produced since 2007. More recently, the foreign car was refreshed – the design of the front part of the body was completely changed, the interior was modernized. In previous versions there are premium modifications.
The minibus has 11 or 12 seats. You can buy a car with a 2.5-liter diesel engine with a capacity of 136 hp. or 170 hp The first motor is combined with a 6-speed “mechanics”, the second is paired with a 5-band “automatic”. In past generations, there are versions on gas. The drive is offered rear or full. The bus is very comfortable – the cabin has many pockets, compartments, luggage space.
The minibus is equipped with everything necessary for a comfortable ride. The car has an air conditioning system. Its manufacturers have slightly changed and made it more powerful, now there are air ducts on the ceiling on both sides. To connect a music player or other devices, there are USB / AUX connectors. The doors can be closed and opened at a distance using a special remote control on the key. The blower knobs rotate, so rear seat passengers can optimally adjust the fan.
Security. For any person who purchases a bus for the family, safety is important. This vehicle is equipped with an airbag system. In a collision, these elements help keep people in a safe position and reduce the risk of injury from debris.
There are also large and durable 16-inch disc brakes. They are available on both front and rear wheels. Thanks to them, the minibus brakes qualitatively even when fully loaded.
Price: from 2 rubles for a mechanic and from 549 rubles for an automatic.
Advantages and disadvantages
2. Citroen Space Tourer
The spacious SpaceTourer minibus has a three-row interior and sliding side doors.
Under the hood, the car has a 2,0-liter turbodiesel with a capacity of 150 hp. A basic family minibus can be purchased with an 8-seat interior. It is equipped with halogen headlights, foglights, electrically adjustable and heated rear-view mirrors, temperature sensor, front automatic power windows (driver and passenger).
The equipment also includes dual-zone climate control, three-stage heated front seats, cruise control.
The XL version with an extended body costs more. It is more positioned as a corporate vehicle, the car can only be bought with an automatic transmission. Its equipment is complemented by folding mirrors, alloy wheels, xenon headlights, leather trim, power front seats, keyless entry, power sliding doors, touch-screen navigation system.
Security. Safety in these cars is paramount. Even the simplest equipment includes ABS – an anti-lock braking system with a brake force distribution function, a dynamic stabilization system and an anti-slip control system, an assistant when starting on a hill. There is a frontal airbag for the driver and front passengers, front side airbags, automatic door locking when driving, fog lights with cornering light function. In more expensive trim levels, there are side curtain airbags, a rear-view camera, rain and light sensors, parking sensors, a blind spot indicator, adaptive cruise control and an Active Safety Brake system.
Price: from 2 rubles.
Advantages and disadvantages
3. Volkswagen Transporter Kombi H2
The new generation Volkswagen Transporter began to be produced in 2019, but it reached Our Country in 2021. The car received new front and rear headlamps, front fog lamps, an updated grille, front and rear bumpers and LED taillights.
New fenders with rectangular turn signal repeaters were installed on the car and the rear window was enlarged. In the cabin, the seats have been improved, which can be adjusted in 12 directions, and the front panel has been updated.
The Volkswagen Transporter minibus is equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox and a seven-speed robotic transmission. Modifications are available with front and all-wheel drive.
The car has two rows of seats, the third row is available as an option. The backs of the second row seats fold down, and the left seat has a quick reclining mechanism. The cabin has special rails that allow you to independently adjust the distance between the rows of seats. Additionally, leather upholstery, a navigation system with a monitor and a hands free system are also available in the cabin.
Security. Volkswagen Transporter is equipped with new driver assistance systems. These include City Auto Braking, Adaptive Travel Control (DCC), Distance Control Assist and Adaptive Cruise Control. There are several airbags. To control dead zones, you can put the Side Assist system, and Rest Assist controls driver fatigue.
Price: from 2 rubles for Kombi L922H700, from 1 rubles for L1H3 and from 003 for Kombi ‘Edition’ L200H2.
Advantages and disadvantages
4. Fiat Scudo
The Fiat Scudo is known in the market as a car with very low running costs. Fuel consumption per 100 kilometers is only 7,2 liters, service intervals are 20 kilometers. The car has two wheelbase options – short and long, as well as two roof height options – standard and high.
The carrying capacity of the machine is 1125 kg.
Security. The car has airbags to protect the driver and passengers, adjustable 3-point seat belts for all seats. All airbags are controlled by a single electronic control unit to determine which safety systems should be activated and how many, depending on the intensity and direction of the impact.
For ease of parking in cramped conditions and with difficult visibility, the car has parking sensors. They warn the driver with a sound signal about the presence of an obstacle behind the car. The car has an excellent braking system with a vacuum booster and disc brakes on all wheels. There is also an anti-lock braking system with EBD and HBA functions. It is included as standard on all modifications.
Price: from 2 rubles per car from a dealer, in the secondary market for old models in good condition from 390 rubles.
Advantages and disadvantages
5. Ford Tourneo Custom
The Ford Tourneo Custom is a minibus based on the Transit Custom commercial van. In Our Country, it is available with a 2,2-liter Duratorq diesel engine with 125 hp.
The standard package includes a rear liftgate, two side sliding doors on the right and left sides, fog lights, a steering column adjustable for reach and height, a programmable pre-heater, air conditioning, an audio system with a multimedia system with control buttons on the steering wheel, a liquid heater for the passenger compartment. There is also a heated windshield and side mirrors, heated front seats.
The Titanium package offers body-colored front and rear bumpers, door handles and moldings, side mirror housings and grille, dark-tinted rear windows, climate control module in the passenger compartment, side sunblinds, 16-inch alloy wheels.
The volume of the fuel tank of the car is 60 liters. The car is very economical, diesel fuel consumption is 8,1 l / 100 km in the urban cycle and 6,1 l / 100 km outside the city. Safety: Basic equipment includes front airbags and side airbags for driver and passenger, Isofix child seat mounts, anti-lock brakes and stability control. In addition, front and rear parking sensors, cruise control with a speed limit function, a tire pressure monitoring system, and an ERA-GLONASS emergency call system are offered.
The Titanium package adds light and rain sensors, a perimeter alarm and other features.
Price: 2 rubles.
Advantages and disadvantages
How to choose a minibus for a family
Comments auto expert Vladislav Koshcheev:
– There is a large selection of minibuses on the market, and before buying, you should first decide which minibus to choose for your family and where exactly you plan to get out on it.
If you need such a car for trips to the country, it is better to choose a more economical and budget option. If you plan to get out into nature, choose models with greater cross-country ability, maintainability and hardiness. If the car will often drive around the city, take a closer look at more compact and maneuverable options.
In principle, you should not save on the safety of family trips. Your minibus must be equipped with everything you need:
- Airbags. Be sure to check them, whether they are in place, whether they are working.
- Door lock. Children will probably constantly ride in the cabin, make sure that during movement or short stops your kids cannot open the door on their own and jump out.
- Car seat fixation and seat belts. Injuries can occur even during hard braking, so install a secure child restraint system on the seats of your minibus, and also make sure that adult passengers are wearing seat belts.
As for the suspension, it should be energy-intensive and soft enough so that your passengers do not bounce on every bump.
Consider fuel consumption, because this indicator, for obvious reasons, is higher for a minibus than for any other passenger car.
Caring for a minibus, whatever one may say, is more expensive than servicing a car. And this applies not only to spare parts or technical inspection, but also to elementary washing of the body and interior, be sure to consider this point.