Fiat Qubo MPV (2008-2020)

With prices from just over £10,000 for the entry-level 1.3-litre Multijet diesel version, the Fiat Qubo is a very impressive all-round performer. It combines excellent efficiency with huge amounts of cabin space and a very large and versatile boot. This small, van-based MPV is perfect for families, long-distance jouneys, moving large items or even nipping around town – there isn’t much the Qubo can’t do. The sliding rear doors mean that access to the boot and rear seats is straightforward, even in the tightest of spaces.

As the diesel engines are capable of returning fuel economy in excess of 60mpg, the Qubo can travel nearly 600 miles on a single fill-up of its 45-litre tank. Insurance is also cheap, while maintenance bills should be low, with Fiat offering an 'Easy Care' package that allows you to buy the car's first three services - including all parts and labour - for £399. However, Fiat dealers don’t have the best reputation for quality of service – the company finished last in our sister title Auto Express’s most recent Driver Power satisfaction survey.

The range of Multijet diesel engines available in the Qubo doesn’t have that much power, and performance is sluggish as a result – it takes a lot of effort to get the car up to speed. On the move, the Fiat’s boxy shape and soft suspension mean body roll can be a problem, while the steering also feels very light and could be much more precise.

With its soft suspension set-up, Fiat’s smallest people carrier takes rough roads very much in its stride. The driving position does feel slightly upright, but on the whole the car is comfortable from behind the wheel. Impressive levels of leg and headroom for a car of this size mean the Qubo is a surprisingly good choice for long journeys with the family. However it's totally outclassed by (particularly German) rivals in this area.

The Qubo has a generous 330-litre boot capacity with the rear seats in place, and when you fold them flat this increases to a mammoth 2,500 litres. Sliding rear doors mean access to the luggage bay is easy, too, while the Fiat’s boxy shape ensures there is loads of head and legroom for occupants up front.

Although it looks quite basic, potential buyers should be in no doubt that the Qubo is solidly put together – this car has been built well. The plastics Fiat has used inside feel sturdy, while the highly efficient Multijet diesel engines have a reputation for proving pretty durable. However Fiat's cars have not been best known for reliability over the years - though they are improving.

You get an awful lot of space for your money with the Qubo. It’s by no means the fastest small people carrier on the market, but it more than makes up for this limited performance with the promise of incredibly low running costs from its seriously efficient engines, on top of the hugely impressive levels of practicality.