FANCY a practical, no nonsense family runabout cum load carrier at a bargain price?

Clearly it depends on your budget but if you need to keep it under £13,000 you could do a lot worse than Peugeot's versatile Bipper Tepee car/van crossover.

To be honest, it will not win any beauty competitions, but it is a full five seater and has an impressive load capacity of 884 litres, while the 70bhp diesel engine offers excellent economy, a claimed 62.8mpg.

Road tax is just £35 per annum and with low insurance costs, low benefit in kind taxation rates if you are a business user, if offers seriously economical motoring.

If the looks are not all that much, they do disguise great versatility. Despite its fairly modest proportions it can carry sizeable loads of different shapes, not to mention doubling up as the family runabout.

Further carrying capacity comes in the form of integrated roof rails on the range topper. Just like a van, it is a box on wheels, with just that little bit of extra styling and creature comforts, plus large door mirrors which can be adjusted electrically and are heated.

There's no doubt that Peugeot designs some stunningly stylish cars and the firm says this is a car that will make people stop in their tracks. They are certainly right about that, but probably not for what they describe as its rounded compact lines and expressive style and dynamic credentials.

Having said that, it is not an ugly car, but a bit like its sister firm Citroen, it offers something a bit quirky.

If the car seems to have modest outside proportions, if feels positively Tardis-like when you get inside.

There is masses of head and legroom with the big glass areas allowing light to flood into the cabin to increase the feeling of space, with even the gear lever placed in the facia panel to increase front occupants' space.

Controls are neat, functional and basic, but robust and logically laid out and it offers a decent level of standard equipment.

The car has a mammoth 12 storage areas in the passenger compartment.

All the seats are comfortable, practical and adjustable and the rear three can be split, folded or completely removed for maximum stowage capacity, taking capacity from litres with the seats in place up to 886 litres.

Sliding rear doors and a deep boot lid means access to the side and rear are a doddle, particularly useful for the business user, but just as much for a small family needing to pack loads of child paraphernalia.

The rear passenger seats split 60-40 and they are situated are 40mm higher than the front passengers, for better view of the road ahead.

The 1.3-litre HDi engine is mated to a five-speed manual gearbox delivers surprising pulling power.

It is not the quietest, but seeing the fuel gauge reluctant to move eases any assault on the eardrums.

Handling is what you would expect from this type of vehicle, it's no sports car, but the ride is extremely comfortable.

The range includes two trim levels S and Outdoor.

The S has driver, passenger and side airbags, ABS, one touch electric front windows, electric heated door mirrors, remote control central locking, radio/CD player with MP3 functionality, power steering, twin glazed sliding side doors, height adjustable driver seat with armrest, rake and reach adjustable steering wheel,

The Outdoor adds larger body sill protection mouldings and side mouldings, under-body engine protection plate, lower front panel trim, roof bars, front fog lights and manual air conditioning.

At a starting price of just £12,595 it's a good value for money package.