Mulling over MPVs

With two child seats, it appears that neither of our cars is able to accommodate anymore passengers. So, we've been feasting our eyes on 7-seater MPVs and have test drove a number of them. Here's a quick personal review.

Toyota Avanza 1.3/1.5: Popular and has good kerbweight/torque ratio. However, the 2nd row is split 50-50 and does not slide (but folds forward... easy access to 3rd row). 2nd and 3rd rows do not fold down flat. Drive is OK. Affordable.

Nissan Grand Livina 1.6/1.8: Popular and has good kerbweight/torque ratio. However, roof is slightly low which may affect perception of space. 2nd row splits 60-40 and slides (access to 3rd row may be tricky for the less agile). 2nd and 3rd rows fold down flat. Very nice to drive. Pricey.. we're misers remember? :o).

Naza Citra 2.0: Popular and has good kerbweight/torque ratio. However, 3rd row seats are quite low and the floor of the 3rd row seems uneven. Very affordable. Probably good as a very affordable 2-litre sedan :o). Did not test drive this one.

Perodua Alza 1.5: Newly lauched and has good kerbweight/torque ratio. However, space seems limited... and the roof is quite low. Nice to drive, better than the Avanza. Very affordable.

Naza Rondo 2.0: Not so popular and has reasonably good kerbweight/torque ratio (it's the heaviest MPV in our list: about 1,600kg). In the new CKD version, the 2nd row slides but only the back splits 60-40, i.e. the entire 2nd row slides (which is rather silly). In the slightly older CBU version, they can slide separately. However, the split seems rather odd because the smaller part is behind the driver. 2nd and 3rd rows fold down flat. Nice to drive. Slightly pricey.

Proton Exora 1.6: Launched earlier than the Alza (still not that very many on the road yet) and does not have an inspiring kerbweight/torque ratio (kerbweight is about 1,400kg). 2nd row is split 60-40 and folds forward. 2nd and 3rd rows fold down flat. Nice to drive inspite of its so-called "underpowered-ness". We test drove it on the steep slopes of Bukit Jambul with 5 adults and 2 kids... no problems. There are aircon vents at all 3 rows. Affordable.

Which one will we choose?