THE latest Mazda5 diesel is a very good seven seat people carrier that ticks all the right boxes.

The original 5 was brilliant to drive - the best handling MPV of them all - and the new model carries on that tradition well, without being quite such a driver's car.

I thought the 1.6 diesel borrowed from Peugeot would be under-powered but I couldn't have been more wrong.

It pulls hard from 1,500rpm in all gears and as well as decent acceleration in the lower gears, it has enough in sixth for all motorway manoeuvres.

I managed 39.6mpg in real driving over a week which is pretty good, while as usual the government figure of 54mpg is unattainable.

Mazda claims this 5 has the lowest emissions of any full size MPV, and it has a lot more going for it too.

It's refined and quiet, very comfortable over all surfaces and has excellent handling and road-holding. Also, it's a Mazda, so reliability should be excellent.

The rearmost two seats fold easily up from a flat boot floor and there's a luggage cover. The electric sliding rear doors can be opened from the driver's seat and the nearside one can be opened as you approach the car, using a button on the fob.

: Renault Grande Scenic