VAUXHALL'S mini people carrier is comfortable, family friendly and cheap to buy second-hand.

It's a great MPV for smaller families - economical and reasonable to run either in petrol or diesel forms.

The Meriva is based on the Corsa and uses the same 1.4, 1.6 and 1.8 petrol engines plus 1.7 and 1.3 CDTi diesels and power ranges from 75 to 118bhp.

It's comfortable over all surfaces - even at slow speeds over town potholes - and soaks up knobbly country roads with great ease, leaving both front and rear passengers unruffled.

It handles beautifully, taking the bends much faster than any such family orientated car might be expected to, so it's great fun.

This excellent handling and balance makes it very safe and it comes with front and side airbags and electronic stability control.

The electric power steering is very good, giving all the help it should, but plenty of driver feel.

A flexible seating system sees rear seats which can be slid to extend legroom and that fold easily down into the floor in a 40/20/40% pattern to make a completely flat load area. Newer models have rearward opening back doors which makes access so much easier.

: Nissan Note