THE spacious, practical interior of the Citroen Berlingo is loaded with family-friendly features.

The cabin has a lovely airy feel, with big windows and a good view from all seats - something that's always important to keep children happy.

The high driving position offers a great view for the driver, and access is easy in both front and rear helped by the easy open and close rear sliding doors.

The Berlingo and its sister car the Peugeot Partner might not be very sleek or stylish, but they make a marvellous family holdall, with plenty of space for five, storage everywhere you look and a gargantuan boot.

The hatch is very useful for loading and unloading in the rain, because it makes such a good cover, but don't park too close to walls or other cars because it's very long and opening will be a problem.

Despite the fact that the most recent Berlingo Multispace looks like it's based on a van, in fact, it has a car chassis and it doesn't feel anything like a van to drive. It's also cheaper than most other MPVs year for year.

Howsoever, there has to be a downside and on earlier models air conditioning was an option on all but range-toppers.

Petrol engines are 1.6 with either 88 or 95bhp on earlier models and then a turbo 1.2 with 108. The 1.6's cover the 0 to 60 sprint in either 14.8 or 12.4 seconds and will do about 30 to 36 miles per gallon, while the 1.2 does the sprint in 11.8 and can do 48mpg.

Most available secondhand will be diesels but be warned. There is a non-turbo with 75bhp and it's so slow it will be passed by road rollers!

On up the scale there are 88, 98 and 120bhp versions of the stalwart Peugeot/Citroen 1.6 HDi and all are lively enough to keep up with the flow of traffic.

The lowest powered ‘90' takes 13.8 seconds to get to 60 and can do 42mpg. The 100bhp BlueHDi is super frugal and should do 58mpg while able to reach 60 from rest in 12 seconds.

And the 120 brings the sprint down to a creditable 11 seconds while reaching 56mpg economy.

Most will have either a five or six speed gearbox, but both petrol and diesel models were also available with an automatic.

The interior design is quite plain, but it's also hard wearing, and that's always good with a family car like this. Cabin noise is very well suppressed.

It is an easy car to drive and all the controls have a solid feel. A major update in 2015 brought more equipment, better safety, more efficient engines and a new seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system.

Despite the height of the body, cornering is composed and stable, but there is some lean when pressed as you would expect.

Good grip is helped by a wide track and long wheelbase, and these also aid a very comfortable ride over most surfaces.

‘Feel' models come with audio remote control, steering wheel rake and reach, air conditioning, electric front windows and mirrors, traction control, height adjustable driver's seat and cruise control.

‘Flair' spec adds heated mirrors, parking sensors, side airbags and alloy wheels.

Pay about £6,300 for a '16 16-reg Feel 1.6 BlueHDi 100, or £9,900 for an '18 18-reg Flair 1.2 Puretech 110 petrol with start/stop.