FOR many families, the Citroen Berlingo is almost the ideal multi-purpose vehicle with its huge space for five and massive boot.

It looks like it may be based on a van but the latest Multispace has a car chassis and certainly doesn't feel like a van to drive. It is also cheaper than many other MPVs.

It's reasonably refined and very economical, with Citroen's 1.6 HDi turbo diesel the only engine option.

Prior to 2006, there were two other diesels - a slow 1.9 non-turbo with only 69bhp and a 2.0-litre HDi turbo with 90bhp.

Petrol options were a 1.4 with 75bhp and a 1.6 with 110bhp but the turbo diesels are best both for performance and economy.

Unlike some van-derived vehicles it has a comfortable ride even over poorer surfaces in town, and while there is a fair bit of roll in harder corners, it still holds the road well.

The clutch is light, the gearchange easy and all come with very well weighted power steering.