Mitsubishi Grandis ticks all the boxes for those needing space, performance and economy at a value for money price.
The Japanese company was among the first to enter the MPV market 25 years ago with the Space Wagon and the benefits of this experience are applied to the Grandis.
The entry-level Equippe version I drove is powered by a state-of-the-art 2.0-litre Volkswagen-sourced diesel engine that returns an average fuel economy figure of 43mpg - not bad for a big people carrier.
The oil burner's performance married to a slick six-speed manual gearbox also helps the Grandis feel quite nippy with a 0-62mph time of 10.8 seconds.
Mitsubishi ensures the Grandis competes strongly on price with other seven-seat MPVs and it is also generously kitted out. All models are fitted with climate control, remote central locking, cruise control, six speaker radio/CD autochanger, leather steering wheel and gearknob, alarm and immobiliser, rear parking sensors and a natty display in the rear view mirror that shows you what is going on behind the car.
Step up to the Elegance model and alloy wheels, dual sunroof, stability and traction controls, are among the additions to the mix.
There's a decent three year/unlimited mileage warranty, 12-year anti-corrosion perforation warranty and three years pan-European roadside, home and accident assistance.
The interior of the Grandis marks a major improvement in quality for Mitsubishi. The cabin is smartly styled, with materials that feel as if they will stand up to the attentions of the little monsters in the back.
It also features the Hide & Seat system - a rear row of seats that can be individually folded away into the floor in a simple operation that takes seconds. This clever idea creates extra luggage capacity without the problems of folding, removing, carrying and storing heavy seats. Folding the second and third row of seats boosts luggage space from 320litres to a massive 1545litres.
Grandis offers modern safety features such as EBD (electronic brakeforce distribution), driver and passenger front and side airbags plus curtain airbags for the first and second row of seats.
Get behind the wheel and the car is surprisingly relaxing to drive with a good view guaranteed by the high-up driving position. It is designed with low centre of gravity, long wheelbase and wide tracks for car-like agility and sits on a high-strength steel chassis designed to offer good levels of rigidity and excellent protection in the event of a crash. One quibble though is with the steering which feels over-powered giving little feeling for what is happening on the road.
The Grandis may be a giant but it is quite refined with noise and vibration levels reduced by extensive use of sound-absorbing materials.
Mitsubishi's people carrier rides on a revised rear suspension that has been tuned to provide good levels of passenger ride comfort and a decent drive. Yes some of the bigger bumps can make their presence felt in the cabin and cornering at pace is not one of its strengths - but by and large journeys are pretty smooth. Basically like most people carriers the Grandis is a cruiser rather than a country lane bruiser.
FAST FACTS:
Mitsubishi Grandis 2.0 DI-D Equippe
Price: £18,999
Mechanical: 134bhp, 1,968cc, 4cyl turbodiesel engine driving front wheels via 6spd manual gearbox
Max speed: 121mph
0-62mph: 10.8secs
Combined mpg: 43
Insurance group: 14
CO2 emissions: 176g/km
BiK rating: 26%
Warranty: 3yrs/unlimited mileage, 6yrs anti-rust, 6yrs paint
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