Kia Sedona MPV (2006-2012)

Kia's Sedona is a seven-seat MPV which has been around in its current form since 2006. It's got plenty of space in the cabin and there's a usable boot but some may be put off by the car's looks, which are starting to look a little bit dated. Apart from that, the only engine on offer – a 2.2-litre diesel – feels quite punchy and offers reasonable economy.

A heavy car like this won't ever be the cheapest car to run, despite its relatively efficient diesel engine. Fuel economy stands at 42.2mpg and CO2 emissions are 179g/km. If you opt for the more expensive automatic gearbox you'll also find yourself shelling out more cash for road tax and petrol. CO2 rockets to 199g/km and combined fuel economy stands at 37.7mpg.

Buying a Kia Sedona is easy because there's only one engine available – a 2.2-litre diesel unit. With 192bhp available the engine feels quite nippy and is capable of launching the Sedona from 0-62mph in 11.3 seconds. A six-speed manual gearbox comes as standard and we'd recommend you stick with it because the optional automatic gearbox adds 0.5 seconds to the 0-62mph time and can make for a slightly jerky driving experience. The steering is numb and slightly unresponsive and there's quite a bit of body roll in corners – don't expect too many driving thrills.

Refinement isn't exactly the Sedona's strong suit. At start up and low speeds the diesel engine sounds gruff and is only drowned out at high speeds by wind and road noise. For the most part it is comfortable though, with small road imperfections ironed out by the Kia's soft suspension. The problem comes with larger potholes which send a thud through the cabin.

With seating for seven the Sedona makes sense as a family car. With all the seats in place, there's a reasonable 214 litre boot but for carrying anything other than the weekly shopping drivers will have to fold down the third row. For carrying larger items, the second row can also be folded down for van-like amounts of space.

The current Sedona has been around since 2006 and it's proved itself to be trouble free since then. If you're still not convinced you just have to look at the amount of confidence Kia have in their products with the seven year warranty which they include as standard on all models. It's relatively safe too, with NCAP awarding it four our of five stars. That's partly down to the standard inclusion of front, side and curtain airbags.

Three trim levels are available, simply labeled 1, 2 and 3. Opt for the most basic 1 specification and you'll find air-con and electric windows all around. Further up the range, 2 specification adds gadgets like rear parking sensors and premium cloth upholstery. Range-topping 3 models get leather, heated seats, sliding electric doors and an electric boot.