WHEN I drove the Peugeot 5008 seven seat MPV, I thought such a big vehicle might suffer with only a 1.6 diesel engine.

But I need not have worried. It never felt short of breath - even on an airport trip when I picked up five adults and all their luggage for a family wedding.

Now I know people carriers are supposed to be family friendly, but this one, which was built between 2010 and 2016, has to be one of the most friendly on the market, with loads of space and very flexible seating.

It is refined and easy to drive, with either six-speed manual or six-speed automatic gearboxes.

I would say the 1.6 or 2.0-litre diesels are the best bet for low running costs, but if you don't do too many miles, one of the petrols will be a good deal cheaper.

The 1.6 diesel was available with 112, 115 and 120bhp, and the 2.0-litre with either 150 or 163bhp. The petrol choices were two 1.6 units, earlier with 120bhp and later the excellent THP turbo 1.6 with 156bhp.

Performance is fair to good in all, with the earlier 1.6 petrol VTi being the slowest. But as I've said, the 1.6 diesel is more than capable of hauling the 3008 around.

Comfort is excellent and it smoothes out even the worst of surfaces on potholed town roads.

Yet it also holds the road surprisingly well for a tallish vehicle - well enough to allow for quick progress across country.

The rearmost two seats have enough legroom for shorter adults or young teenagers and fold down into the boot floor in about three seconds to give a huge load area.

The middle row are individual and adjustable for legroom, and they fold down to make even more loadspace.

Equipment is good in all so that even the entry level Active includes air conditioning, 16-inch steel wheels with energy saving tyres, a CD stereo, an electric handbrake and electronic stability control.

Sport models add the ‘family pack', which includes storage compartments under the front seats and foot wells, cruise, front fog lights and a lighting pack with boot-mounted torch.

Top Exclusive models get a glass roof, 17-inch alloys, climate control, a head-up display, automatic headlamps and wipers, USB, Bluetooth, electric folding mirrors, auto dimming rear-view mirror and rear parking sensors.

Pay about £6,500 for a '13 13-reg 1.6 diesel Active II, or £8,750 for a '15 15-reg Allure 1.6 THP petrol.