Review: FORD C-MAX (MPV)
Advantages: Great to drive, very refined and spacious - excellent diesels

A great midi-MPV that draws well from the current Focus' underpinnings

Review: VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT CC (Saloon)
Advantages: All the latest VW driving aid toys, sleek exterior, quality fit and build, enviable levels of comfort, competitively priced, safe and sound cabin environ

A la the new Ford Mondeo, Vauxhall Insignia, Jaguar XF and Mercedes-Benz CLS, Volkswagen has decided to coupe-rize one of its prize four-door salon assets, namely the Passat. As unlikely as a VW Passat coupe might have sounded a decade ago, what we now pass judgement on in the form of the new Passat CC is grounded in an agreeable reality, coming complete with a raft contemporary flourishes, impeccable attention to safety detailing and solid, redoubtable power plants.

Review: VOLKSWAGEN CARAVELLE (MPV)
Advantages: Bags of room, makes more sense than a Mercedes Viano, resounding 2.5 TDI engine successes, generous spread of kit, good safety features, damn near luxurious interior, robustly built

Forget about the third, fourth or fifth summer of love, the un-hip VW Caravelle isn’t going to cut it amongst the ever-shifting free spirited community like its ancestor, but if you’re looking for a resolute, dependable, troupe-transporting MPV that’ll keep the kids occupied and your partner in the luxury to which they’ve become accustomed, then you’d have to venture a long way to better the new-age Caravelle.

Review: TOYOTA IQ (Hatchback)
Advantages: Incredible fuel economy, deceptively spacious, cool interior, makes the Toyota badge trendy for the first time, more neat moves than an Olympic gymnast, plenty of safety kit

The automotive equivalent of the iPod, the Toyota iQ is every bit as technically-savvy, futuristic and in demand as the portable music-fest, and should be viewed with the same de rigour in no time at all. Bigger than a Smart, funkier than a Mini and less obviously a fashion accessory as a Fiat 500, the Toyota iQ delivers economy, style, adaptability and flexibility by the bucket load.

Review: VAUXHALL INSIGNIA (Hatchback)
Advantages: Being able to predict the (immediate driving) future before it happens, banishes disturbing thoughts of the Vectra to the pantheons of history, wealth of model choices, a truly class act, massive boot space, more useful gadgets than PC World, premium feel cabin materials, built to last, comfortable

The first production car to be able to read road signs, it would be difficult to take a dim view of the all-new Vauxhall Insignia. Especially bearing in mind it fronts intelligent forward lighting too, another success for the GM-employed bright sparks who have conspired to make the Vectra replacement a comprehensively logical car, embracing some rather lateral design thoughts. The oil-burners will account for the volume sales, and yes, Mondeo Man will certainly sit up and take notice of the strongest Griffin-badged competition it’s encountered in a couple of generations.

Review: FIAT SCUDO (MPV)
Advantages: Can house up to nine people, surprisingly engaging drive, lots of equipment onboard, affordable running costs, well constructed

If you’re in the market for something less obvious and niche market-led than the populist likes of the Ford S-MAX, Vauxhall Zafira, VW Touran and the Peugeot 308SW, then may we be as bold to suggest the Fiat Scudo Panorama. Seriously, it’s a whole lotta van-cum-MPV practicality, competence and adaptability rolled into the one curiously Peugeot-esque shape. And if you’ve got an outdoorsy family, scout troupe or would-be rock band then there really is no better way to cart them around.

Review: NISSAN QASHQAIPLUS2 (Hatchback)
Advantages: Well, two more cribs for starters, snug (cotton wool protection) ride quality, a host of extras as standard, mightily refined for a hefty MPV, excellent construction

Another one of those marketing exercises in conning the MPV and SUV-buying public into thinking their ‘lifestyles’ demand a stretched version of what they already drive, or a versatile and viable solution to the outgrown MPV/SUV problem brought about by the burgeoning family? Always a bone of contention this, but by and large it seems Nissan has come up trumps by offering a practical, adaptable vehicle that will see baby boomers through the next stage in their car journey. Just hope that they don’t shoot up too quickly though or the +2 aspect will be surplus to requirement before you know it.

Review: HYUNDAI I20 (Hatchback)
Advantages: Undercuts a Ford Fiesta, lavished with plenty of kit, incredible economy, a vast improvement over the Getz, stylish, practical

The Hyundai i20 Getz over it. What a great advertising strap-line that would make? And with more than an element of truth to the claim as well. Sadly times – and the supermini competition – have moved on very quickly while Hyundai has been reinventing the Getz’s wheels, so although a lot more car it’s only really relatively speaking. But no one can argue with its value for money appeal, both in the mark up price and the perceived – and negligible – running costs.

Other recent reviews