NEED a cheap, large comfortable family saloon with a good diesel engine and only a few years old?

It's no pipedream because the Kia Magentis is exactly that and you'll find it is very close to cars costing thousands more.

As well as the 140bhp diesel, there are also 2.0-litre and 2.6 V6 petrol models but the diesel is the one to go for and it sold in the biggest numbers.

It has plenty of power and pulls reasonably from low revs - if not as well as the best.

But it has plenty of urge in the mid-range and gives good acceleration in top gear so that you are never short of power.

The ride is comfortable over most surfaces, both at slow speeds in town and on as country road, but there is a bit of bump-thump over larger potholes and drain covers.

Refinement is good, the car is generally quiet on the move and the power steering gives good feel through corners.

The more expensive of two trim levels - the LS - comes with leather, cruise, alloys, a good stereo, and climate control.

Safety is very good, and security includes alarm and deadlocks. It comes with stability and traction control, electric front seats, 60/40 split folding rear seats and six airbags.

: Vauxhall Vectra