So, the all-new Carens MPV marries class with performance.

Gone is the conservative styling - it does not share a single panel with the old model and has a very modern appearance inside and out. It is now a strong competitor to the Opel Zafira and Renault Grand Scenic - the two frontrunners in the segment - and is well worth a test drive before putting your money down.

Designers have given it what they call the "European Specific" - fresh styling with chrome grille, a lowered central air intake and two side air intakes in a newly designed bumper.

It is a blend of MPV and SUV with seven seats as standard, which are easily housed in a wider cabin where the floor has been lowered and the roof raised.

The seating is good for this size and the 2+3+2 arrangement allows good room for all the occupants. The middle and rear rows fold to create a flat-floored luggage area. With five seats occupied, luggage space is more than 400 litres and with just the driver and a front-seat passenger this jumps to a huge 2106 litres.

There are two two-litre engines available, both Euro 4 compliant on emissions. The twolitre turbo-diesel putting out 140bhp will be the most popular in this type of vehicle although it is Euro3,000 dearer. It delivers 305 Nm of torque between 1,800 and 2,500rpm and gives a gutsy performance with good low-end torque adding to the pleasure.

Fully loaded, it needs a bit of nursing when put under pressure. Transmission is a sixspeed manual, there is no automatic option on offer.

Fuel consumption is good.

During the test, the Carens was for the most part unloaded and returned 7.8l/100km (36mpg) around town and up to 6l/100km (45mpg) in mixed driving. Expect less in everyday use when the family have their bits and bobs stored on board.

The alternative is the petrol version, putting out 145bhp, 189Nm of torque at 4,250rpm with fuel consumption down to 10.8l/100km (28mpg) around town and 8.1l/100km (34mpg) in mixed driving. Service intervals are every 15,000km.

Inside, there is a manual airconditioning system, four cup holders, front centre console and armrest with storage box. The middle row of seats splits 60/40 and the rear row 50/50. There are 12-volt power outlets front and rear for games and DVD use to keep rear passengers happy.

Kia has put a lot of work into safety and noise suppression.

There are six airbags, disc brakes all round and an electronic brake force distribution system. The noise vibration and harshness which flow through the vehicle while in motion have been subdued by a tweaked suspension which cuts down on the stresses which the tyres pass from the road to the body structure. The result is a quiet, relaxed drive.

Standard equipment includes 16" alloy wheels, roof rails, heated door mirrors and tinted glass. The Carens diesel is priced at Euro29,995 and comes with a three-year warranty.

And the Kia Sedona replacement, the Carnival - an even bigger MPV - has also gone on the market. It comes with a 2.9-litre turbo-diesel engine which puts out 183bhp at 3,800rpm and develops 343 Nm of torque at 1,750rpm.

The big engine may not be a plus as the main rivals, the Ford Galaxy, Renault Espace and Mitsubishi, come with efficient two-litre diesel engines. Small has become beautiful with the environment-conscious lobby as regards engines these days.

The Carnival itself, although shorter in height, is still awkward because of its bulk. The interior has plenty of room but with all the seats in use there is virtually no room for luggage. There are no steering-mounted controls so the reach can be distracting.

There are two versions on offer - the EX and the GSE. The EX sells at Euro34,995 and the GSE at Euro40,995. The Carnival sports six airbags, cruise control, heated seats and electric sliding doors.

VITAL STATISTICS Kia Carens EX 7 Seats 2-litre TD 140bhp 4,545 mm 1,820 mm 1,720 mm 2,700 mm 0-100km 11 secs 187km/h 6-speed manual 6.1L/100km (46mpg) Euro29,995