Against market trends, the EVO Spazio tackles a deserted segment: 7-seat family minivans. While most mainstream manufacturers have turned the page on this format in favor of SUVs or crossovers, EVO revives the idea of a vehicle designed primarily for versatile family transportation.
The Italian brand, a subsidiary of DR Automobiles group, has already made a name for itself with vehicles offering an aggressive equipment-to-price ratio. The Spazio follows this approach: it doesn’t seek to seduce with a premium badge or sporty performance, but with a rational format, generous interior space, and a price designed for large families.
Its dimensions (15.6 ft long, 6.1 ft wide, and 5.9 ft tall) place it between an extended crossover like the Peugeot Rifter Long and a traditional minivan like the Renault Grand Scénic. A rare proposition at this price point, in a segment abandoned since the end of traditional compact minivans.
Style, dimensions and interior: a true 7-seater for families
The EVO Spazio doesn’t try to hide its origins as a functional minivan. Its design is sober, almost utilitarian, but the taut lines, sleek lights, and 18-inch wheels give it a modern appearance without excess. The exterior design remains consistent with its purpose: maximizing interior volume.
It’s inside that the EVO Spazio reveals its true strength. Thanks to its long 9-foot wheelbase, it can comfortably accommodate up to 7 people, distributed across three rows. The second-row seats are sliding and reclining, while the third row remains suitable for average-sized adults on reasonable trips—a rare luxury in this price range.
For cargo space, modularity is key. In 7-seat configuration, volume is limited, as often in this format. But with the third row folded down, the loading space becomes generous. The manufacturer hasn’t announced official figures yet, but visually, the Spazio seems to offer an interesting compromise between passenger space and cargo volume.
Powertrains and performance: turbo, automatic, and LPG option
Under the hood, the EVO Spazio relies on a 1.5 Turbo gasoline engine developing 177 hp and 199 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 7-speed DCT automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. This turbocharged engine should offer decent performance, even at full load, while maintaining controlled fuel consumption.
Good news for budget-conscious drivers: an LPG version is also offered, with 163 hp. This variant allows the EVO Spazio to obtain better emissions ratings, remaining compatible with low-emission zones in various cities.
Regarding fuel consumption, no official values are announced yet, but we can reasonably estimate an average around 29-31 mpg on gasoline and about 26 mpg on LPG, which remains competitive for a vehicle of this size. Note that hybrid or diesel alternatives aren’t in the program, which might deter some American buyers.
Equipment and onboard technology
True to the manufacturer’s strategy, the Spazio focuses on very complete equipment from the base trim level. Standard features include:
- Infotainment system with 12.3-inch touchscreen
- Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility
- 360-degree camera for maneuvering
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Dual-zone automatic climate control
- Multifunction steering wheel and digital dashboard
For driver assistance, the EVO Spazio also offers lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. Equipment sometimes absent from competitors at much higher price levels.
The interior ambiance remains sober but well-finished. Materials don’t aim for premium standing, but ergonomics and control readability are present, with some well-placed decorative inserts to avoid the utilitarian effect.
Pricing and US availability
Launched starting at $32,900 on the Italian market, the EVO Spazio should be sold in the US in a similar range, given the manufacturer’s aggressive pricing strategy. At this price, it positions itself below most 7-seat SUVs like the Peugeot 5008, Nissan X-Trail, or Kia Sorento.
EVO hasn’t yet confirmed details for the US market, but the brand is already present through partner dealerships. It’s likely that the Spazio’s arrival will materialize during 2026, with a clear positioning: offering an affordable and well-equipped minivan where the competition has abandoned ship.
Note that in the US, the offering in 7-seat family vehicles at this price is almost nonexistent outside of crossovers. The EVO Spazio could therefore fill a void, provided it convinces on reliability, after-sales service, and resale value.
Positioning against the competition
Facing compact family SUVs and discontinued minivans, the EVO Spazio plays the price-to-performance ratio card. Less versatile than an all-wheel-drive SUV, less chic than a premium minivan, but much more affordable, it clearly targets large families who prioritize pragmatism.
Compared to a Renault Grand Scénic (now out of production) or Volkswagen Touran (also discontinued), the Spazio picks up the torch of spacious family mobility without technological excess or trendy effects. It also avoids the sometimes polarizing look of crossovers.
Its main competitor could come from… entry-level 7-seat SUVs, like the Dacia Jogger hybrid, which displays a similar price but with more outdoor vocation and different powertrain. The EVO Spazio still offers more space, more power, and better equipment at equal price.
Verdict: a credible alternative for families in 2026
By betting on a spacious, well-powered and equipped 7-seat minivan, EVO signs an unexpected return to an abandoned segment. The Spazio doesn’t seek to rival SUVs on style or prestige, but offers a pragmatic, coherent, and financially accessible solution for families who simply want space.
With its dual gasoline/LPG offering, modern automatic transmission, complete equipment level, and price under $33,000, the Spazio checks many boxes. It won’t be the most dynamic or prestigious, but it targets accurately and could appeal to an audience that no longer has real options in today’s market.
It remains to be seen if US distribution will follow, and if customers will trust a still little-known brand. But on paper, the EVO Spazio has all the cards to reinvent rational family mobility.
