08/03/10

Got a family and need a car to carry them comfortably, plus a full set of holiday bags? One of these will be right for you

1: Peugeot 5008
Prices: £17,345-£22,945
It's Peugeot's first proper try at a full-on mid-mize MPV and it's a gem. It is classier inside and out than any Peugeot we've driven, putting it up there quality-wise with the Volkswagen Touran. Like the Touran , it's a seven-seater, arranged 2:3:2. It's beautifully planned - the mid and rear seats slide and fold every which way, while clambering into the rearmost pair is made easier by a clever and easy folding mechanism built into the outer mid-row chairs. There's good space in the front and mid rows, but space in the rear is cramped for tall adults - that's usual for cars of this type. With every seat in use, there's only a tiny space for luggage - again, this is to be expected. All 5008s are well kitted out but if you go for the top-level Exclusive model you get a huge glass roof (with blind) and an aircraft-style 'head-uo' display that projects the vehicle's speed on to a clear panel in the driver's line of sight. The car rides beautifully, giving plenty of cushion but is also firm enough for the car to corner easily and with little roll. It is also hushed on the move, making it great for long distances. If you're hunting for a seven -seater, it should be on your list. Verdict ****

To read the motors.co.uk exclusive road test of the 5008, click here

2: Volkswagen Touran
Prices: £17,075-£24,790
The Touran serves up ample space for five plus luggage or will seat up to seven thanks to extra seats that fold into the boot floor. Looks classier than it did thanks to a facelift that jazzed up its previously nondescript looks. Big model range also includes a Bluemotion eco version. The Touran is well equipped and has a tough-looking, handsome cabin, although it hasn’t as many storage spaces as some others. Rearmost seats are handy but legroom is too tight for grown-ups and when in use they leave only a tiny gap for luggage. This VW is hushed at speed and rides the bumps comfortably. A big rear screen helps reversing, but shorter drivers will find its front corners hard to place accurately when parking. The Touran loses value second-hand more slowly than rivals, making it cheaper to own overall.
Verdict ****

To read the motors.co.uk exclusive road test of the Touran, click here

2: Ford Focus C-Max
Prices: £17,155-£24,052
Drives very sharply for a little bus. The C-Max’s steering is sharp and delivers plenty of feedback, while gears snick into place neatly and smoothly. The ride is a little firmer than you’d expect but there’s still plenty of ‘give’. The C-Max is just facelifted, and now looks more handsome inside and out (previously, it was a touch drab). It seats five where most rivals can squeeze in seven but it’s very spacious and has good luggage space. It costs as much as the Touran but dsn’t feel as classy and isn’t as hushed at speed. The model range is huge, but a mid-spec Zetec with a 1.6 turbodiesel engine is what we’d point you towards. Servicing and insurance costs are below average, while spare parts are cheap, too. Not that you should need too many, because the C-Max feels solid. Its cabin is pleasant, if not a match for the VW’s classy design.
Verdict ****

To read the motors.co.uk exclusive road test of the C-Max, click here