The Fiat Multipla 1.6 ELX is really the ultimate familiy car. It bringes equal attention to both driver and passengers in terms of space and seat comfort. It`s very easy to communicate with the kids in the back, lovely seats for all, kids will never get car-sick due to splendid overview, and they love the...strange looks of the Multi. It is even quite a good drive!
We`ve had it for 3 years and 60.000km. with a minimum of problems.
I am not able to find antoher car with the same family-car-qualities as the Multipla.
I really hope Fiat will design a brave new Multipla soon!

Reliabilty
The Fiat Multipla 1.6 ELX People Carrier is very good but avoid Fiat main dealers as on the whole they are terrible.

Fiat Multipla 1.6 ELX People Carrier Review:
My wife and I had no doubts when we saw the Multipla 5 years ago. And the testdrive convinced us imidiatly. It is sad that Fiat has found it necessary to fit a new bourgeois front.
If you don't have to overtake all the time the engine is ok - even with 6 people on board.
It is easy to get in and out of. You dont have to crawl down and heave yourself up. It is even easy to get in and out of the middle seats.
Sitting high the overview is excellent. But the sidemirrors are not quite ok. It's too easy to miss a car just a little behind you, when you want to change lane. I have removed the headrest on the middle back seat - it obscures the back view too much.
The rear window wiper does not work properly when in frosty weather and when there is a lot of dirt in rainy air.
The luggageholders on the roof (optional) are much to noisy. They are positioned transversally - I should have been longitudinally. I have dismounted them.
The back seats are easy to take out but not quite as easy to put back.
These are minor complaints. the benefits outweigh them by far.
My wife drives it every morning while I read my open broadsheet newspaper without disturbing her.
When we are three in the car we all sit in front. It is very social. In other cars the third person is "left behind".
When having shopped it is easy to load the groceries. The luggage compartment could be a little larger but it is ok.
The car handles very easily.the petrol economy could be better.
Its been going well for 150.000 km. I plan too keep it severel years more.