PEOPLE carriers come in all shapes and sizes these days, but most of them are quite a price and they offer little more in terms of space and practicality than Citroen's van-based Berlingo Multispace.

There's a range of engines, but the 1.6 HDi with 90bhp is man enough for most people and will tug it along quite happily at motorway speeds.

Factor in a combined 49 miles per gallon - say 42 in real driving - and you have an excellent contender in the family holdall stakes.

The light, airy cabin - thanks to big windows all round - is absolutely huge! You can even get two extra child seats for the boot to make it a full seven seater.

The smooth and quiet diesel engine pulls happily from low revs and will trickle through town in fourth gear with no problems.

Comfort is excellent over all kinds of surfaces - just as it should be in any people carrier - and roadholding is surprisingly good, allied to safe and sure handling.

Big sliding rear doors make access into the back seats simple and all three individual rear seats slide fore and aft for more legroom and less boot.