Fuel-sipping diesel European minivans - is one right for you?

It's back to school season and, since buses aren't available everywhere, for some people it's time to drive the kids to their classes. With all those important soccer football matches games, swimming lessons and family escapes on long weekends, you need a vehicle with enough seats for your children and a place to keep all their gear. Minivans tend to be heavier than sedan counterparts, not only because of size, but because they have the latest security additions available. But can you keep your mileage high while driving such vehicles and reduce your emissions? For European minivans, the keys include keeping the vehicles compact, developing them from compact cars and using diesel powertrains. Follow us past the jump for a look at what the European market has to offer.

[Source: Auto News]

Model	Engine size (cm3)	Horsepower	l/100 km (mpg U.S.)	Seats	MRSP Price (Germany)
Honda FR-V 2.2i-CTDi Comfort	2,204	140	6.3 (37.3)	6	€26,350
Ford Galaxy 2.0 TDCi Trend	1,997	116	6.2 (37.9)	7	€31,000
Ford S-Max 2.0 TDCi Trend	1,997	116	6.2 (37.9)	5	€29,250
Mazda 5 2.0 CD Comfort	1,998	110	6.1 (38.6)	5	€22,500
Kia Carens 2.0 CRDi	1,991	140	6.1 (38.6)	5	€22,110
VW Sharan BlueMotion Trendline	1,968	140	6.0 (39.2)	5	€32,550
Citroën C4 Grand Picasso HDi 110 FAP Style	1,560	109	5.9 (39.9)	7	€25,000
Opel Zafira 1.7 CDTI ecoFlex	1,686	110	5.7 (41.3)	7	€24,290
Ford C-Max 2.0 TDCi Ghia	1,997	136	5.7 (41.3)	5	€25,500
Citroën C4 Picasso HDi 110 FAP Style EGS6	1,560	109	5.7 (41.3)	5	€24,600
VW Touran BlueMotion Conceptline	1,896	105	5.4 (43.6)	5	€24,250
Seat Altea XL 1.9 TDI Reference	1,896	105	5.4 (43.6)	5	€21,790
Renault Scénic 1.5 dCi FAP Avantage	1,461	103	5.2 (45.2)	5	€23,360
Citroën Xsara Picasso HDi 110 FAP Style	1,560/td>	109	5.7 (41.3)	5	€23,250
Ford C-Max 1.6 TDCi Ambiente	1,560	90	4.8 (49)	5	€20,750