IT used to be a case that the words "people carrier" conjured up images of boxes on wheels that handled and looked like a badly formed bus.

But thankfully modern designs and quality dynamics have resulted in some excellent multi-purpose vehicles and the demand for them is constantly increasing with larger families wanting all the versatility of an active lifestyle and a vehicle that helps achieve that.

One such example is the very snazzy Mazda5 - a seven-seater vehicle that somehow blends all the flexible requirements of an MPV with the comfort and driving capabilities of a family saloon.

First impressions are vital and you cannot fail to notice the Mazda5's sleek lines that seem to flow very naturally, steeply raked windscreen, rear tinted windows, 16-inch alloys and general good looks.

And that design quality is just as apparent when you take your seat behind the multi-function steering wheel. The seats, whilst being very supportive, offer excellent comfort and the controls, dials and levers are perfectly positioned for driver usability.

Creature comforts are plentiful and include a very efficient climate control, an audio system with CD player, Bluetooth connectivity, automatic wipers and headlights, rear parking sensors and lots more besides.

Comfort levels are very good for all occupants and even third row passengers can easily get in and out of their seats thanks to the very flexible seat configurations.

There are numerous options and with the seats folded flat you can easily transport much bulkier objects with ease.

Another feature well worth mentioning is the sliding rear doors which is invaluable in tighter parking spaces and avoids scratching or bumping neighbouring cars as the kids jump in and out.

There are plenty of handy storage compartments throughout the cabin along with cup holders and fold-down trays for second row passengers.

One major issue with MPVs generally is the handling. They tend to lack driving dynamics and seem quite cumbersome at times. Not so the Mazda5.

I was pleasantly surprised with how well the vehicle handled even on wetter surfaces at higher speeds. The road-holding was excellent and cabin noise relatively low for such a large model.

I did find blustery gusts of wind caused the vehicle to wander a little, but that was my only real criticism.

The 2.0-litre petrol engine provided ample power and the six-speed manual transmission very smooth.

The Mazda5 has a great list of safety specifications including anti-lock brakes, dynamic stability control, traction control, numerous airbags and plenty more.