SINCE the birth of the people carrier some years ago the market choice has been astonishing, but a glance into the world of commercials can often offer a smart solution.
Such is the case with the Nissan NV200 Combi SE seven-seat, a surprisingly roomy take on Nissan's small van platform which was named Van of the Year in 2010.
Powered by a 1.5 dCi diesel, the Combi offers some attractive benefits such as a combined mpg readout of 53.3 and CO2 emissions of 138g/km.
In a way, the Combi has gone back to the future because early people movers were literally van conversions before the world went mad and such vehicles became luxury mobile offices with tables, a myriad cupholders and sometimes even swivel chairs.
Nissan, wisely has kept it simple and practical. Yet this is a very attractive vehicle for £18,470.
The Combi is an exercise in right measures. By no means small, it is more compact, encompassing a generous amount of space, even for seven.
It can, if desired be quickly configured as a five-seater with no fuss or grazed fingers on awkward latches.
The Combi comes with sliding side doors and a rear door option of van style or up and over endowing it with the sort of versatility we often dream of.
In styling the latest Nissan front end treatment gives the Combi a wide smile, fuelling the feelgood factor that seems to be built into this commercial with aspirations to family values.
This is underlined by the specification of the SE seven-seat which tops the range with alloys, a reversing camera and air conditioning.
And entertainment is not ignored with a good quality CD radio and MP3 port.
This version also came with privacy glass and looked very classy for what was a commercial at heart.
The Combi benefits also from the quantum leap taken in driving quality in modern commercials.
The bad old days of a cab full of fumes, axle tramp and rubbish trim are gone for ever. These days commercials are different animals with interiors akin to their car cousins and often surprisingly good ride and driving qualities.
And in this sense the Combi is no sluggard with 98mph maximum speed on the cards and reasonable aceleration to boot. Its upright driving position is comfortable and long journeys can be tackled with ease.