THE choice in seven seat midi-MPVs seems to get wider all the time.

But VW and Ford have just brought out new or revised models of the Touran and C-Max and these have always offered driving pleasure along with their practicality.

The Touran comes with a choice of two petrol and four diesel engines. The petrols are a turbo 1.2 with 105bhp or a turbo 1.4 with 140bhp, and the diesels include a 1.6 with 105bhp and two 2.0-litre units with either 140 or 170bhp.

I drove the 2.0-litre diesel 140bhp and found it easily man enough for a load of seven people and VW is claiming a combined economy of 53mpg with low emissions.

Next month the diesel eco BlueMotion will be available which has stop/start, low rolling resistance tyres, battery regeneration under braking and a computer programme which optimises fuel consumption.

The Touran even comes with VW's park assist system which guides you into parallel and right angle parking spaces.

Load space is increased from a maximum 695 to 1,913 litres by redesigning second and third row seats to fold completely.

There are 35 storage compartments around the interior and standard equipment includes aircon, alloys, electronic stability and six airbags on the front and second rows of seats.

: Ford C-Max