IN decades past the traditional family car was pushed from market prominence by the rise of the company car.

Everything seemed business oriented until the wind changed and the spotlight shone again on the family - with some interesting results.

The family car is back with a vengeance and imaginative and interesting designs have started to drive in, sporting some show-stopping styling and even retro features.

One such is the Vauxhall Meriva, which developed from the original rather utilitarian compact people carrier into a stylish family transport solution that can strut its stuff against some much more expensive cars.

One glance at the Meriva, with its styling reflecting the pleasing looks of the Astra and Insignia shows that this is a very different option to the competition.

The main feature is the door system which steps back to the past to offer a futuristic ease of access.

The rear door are hinged at the rear with the door catch on the central pillar, just like some expensive cars and limousines of the golden days of motoring.

It all goes to prove that they had it right in those days because the rear-hinged doors not only offer a dignified entrance and exit from the car, but provide masses of space for loading and securing children and loading bags.

The latest Meriva is larger than the model it succeeds, and is in there competing against some very potent opposition including the Honda Jazz and Ford C-MAX.

Importantly the rear doors cannot be opened while the Meriva is travelling at over two miles per hour by occupants.

The optional FlexRail adopts a completely fresh approach to the design of a car's centre console, and provides owners with a variety of modular storage and comfort solutions that fix on to an ingenious dual-rail base, with further space liberated by use of an electronic parking brake which is standard on all models.

The cubby count has also increased, with features like a 1.5-litre bottle holder in each of the front doors, meaning that owners now benefit from one of the most practical cabins in class.

And to make life just a little more interesting, a massive panoramic glass roof allows an extra helping of sunshine.

This vehicle was a 1.4 petrol Turbo Special Edition with 18-inch alloys, front fog lights, electrically adustable and heated door mirrors and more.