WHEN it comes to innovation, Citroen is right up there at the head of the pack.

From the ultra quirky 2 CV through to its modern day, funkier equivalents, the French car maker are always offering something a little different.

This has been apparent with many models, but perhaps none more so than the Berlingo, the car/van multi purpose vehicle which first appeared a couple of decades ago and is now better than ever.

Borrowing some of the eye-catching styling of its stablemates, it still represents van-like capacity for family motoring, at an affordable price.

The M body style can seat up to five people whilst the XL can carry seven.It comes in two lengths: the standard size M measures 4.40m long, while the new XL size is 4.75m long.

Two specifications include the Feel driven here and more upmarket Flair. It's the kind of motor that would appeal to a large family, taxi driver or small busines owner.

Now in only its third incarnation, it looks better than ever, with an efficient petrol and diesel engines, multiple seating arrangements, sliding door access and the stowage capacity of a small removal van, this model offers capacity of 775-litres to 3,000 litres.

Van like space maybe, but car-like for driving and for the range of equipment which is impressive with for this model with a price tag of under £20,000.

Innovations like the Modutop multi-function panoramic glass panel set up with a top box fit is a nice option on this model which also includes eight inch touch screen infotainment and connectivity system, which allows access to phones via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, remote central locking, air-conditioning, electric windows, cruise control and phone charging mat.

Safety kit is comprehensive with ABS, airbags, stability control, cruise control and lane departure recognition. Another option worth considering is the parking sensors and camera.

This latest model looks more streamlined than the Berlingo Multispace predecessor, with added Cactus-like touches, with the Airbump bodywork protection, higher and shorter grille, a front panel with the signature two-tier lights and a forward-set windscreen.

It retains is cargo carrying capacity, plus 28 further storage boxes and door compartments for further practicality throughout the cabin while the gear lever on the dash frees up a large area between the front seats.

The seats can be removed and folded flat in a number of combinations to deliver a maximum capacity of a whopping 3,000 litres of space. So it will swallow most things, including the kitchen sink.

On the road, the seemingly modestly powered 100bhp 1.5-litre diesel performed well above expectations, having plenty of torque throughout the power range and decent acceleration when needed. Sporty it most definitely is not, but it is refined and offers excellent economy, even if the claimed 65.7mpg seem ambitious.

It rides comfortably as well, important when carrying a family with little ones or even longer taxi journeys.

The latest suspensions is cleverly designed to absorb the worst our potholed roads can throw at it without feeling wallowy, although because of its height, it can tend to lean in corners.