I imagine our children would like it as it would be quite spacious. But I thought it was a bit noisy on the dual carriageway, and the ride was a bit spongy. There are only four of us so we don’t need something so big.”Margaret: “I did not find it so underpowered; David likes to put his foot down but I’m much more gentle It felt solidly built. Those back seats swivel round too, allowing you to open the boot and create instant, sheltered, picnic seating.

The second row of seats also fold to create tables.Apart from a poor turning circle there’s little to criticise physically, but running costs are high owing to a fairly thirsty engine and and a hefty company-car-tax premium because of its propensity to belch carbon dioxide. A leaner turbo diesel will not be an option with the Grandis for another year either.But despite the expense per mile, the Grandis should be a strong contender for anyone looking for a good-sized people carrier. Just admit that the adjectives “cool” and “sporty” will never apply and embrace less alluring, but important, adjectives like “practical”, “sensible”, “versatile” and “comfortable”.David Webb, 38, Margaret Webb, 39, entrepreneurs, and Rosie, five, from Rye Usual car: Citro?XantiaDavid: “If I was looking for a people carrier I would consider it £19,000 seems good value. The Grandis may not wallow too badly in bends but, like any other high-riding vehicle, it’s not designed to be hurled around or, from the complaining tone coming from the engine when you push it a little, to be thrashed.Happily, irrespective of these dubious lifestyle claims, the Grandis is a remarkably hushed, soothing, well-built, practical family transporter with an appealing interior, and generous standard equipment (climate control, a good CD sound system, ABS and eight airbags) for the price (starting at £18,499 with a three-year unlimited mileage warranty).Five adults and two children can ride in relative comfort and still find some luggage space, which is greatly increased when the back two seats disappear, effortlessly, flat into the floor.

True, the Grandis does avoid the anonymity of most rivals with that aggressive snout, large alloys, a tapered roof and the creases on the flanks, but however you dress the shape up, like all MPVs, the Grandis has the profile and aerodynamics of a potato.And let’s forget about sporty You’re just not going to scratch any racing itch in it. Four-wheel drive and the musical throb of a flat-four engine give great personality.. Valvetronic engine is economical, rear cabin is cramped.Subaru Impreza WRX SL Sportswagon £21,995Five-door version of Subaru’s rally-bred cult car lacks the saloon’s muscular flanks but is every bit as entertaining to drive. It does the hatchback/almost-estate part less well, because the rear seats’ backrests fold down half-heartedly onto the cushions to leave a big step, the thickness of the backrest, in the load floor. The boot is a good size, though, and rear passengers have easy entry to plenty of space.