With ever-spiralling fuel costs, family buyers are seeking out more economical alternatives to heavy SUVs, and there is a noticeable move towards less imposing but more frugal van-like alternatives, such as the C4 Picasso-based Berlingo Multispace.
While the latest Multispace is a smarter proposition than its predecessor, you couldn't call it pretty, and it clearly values function over form. It's a similar story inside, where durability and practicality take precedence over style. The cabin is bright with excellent visibility, and passenger access is made easy by two sliding doors, while the big tailgate has an electrically operated window for quick access. Numerous cubbies supplement the capacious boot, which can be expanded by removing the rear seats to yield 3000 litres of space. With its upright stance, the Multispace's extra headroom can be put to use with the Modutop roof option that provides further storage, an electric socket, and even an internal roof rack.
As you'd expect from a utility-based car, most engine options are diesels, with just one petrol offering in the form of the entry-level 90bhp 1.6i VT that costs around £12,000 but emits a heady 195g/km of CO2. It's also well short on performance, taking 14sec to reach 62mph from a standing start, but the 75bhp diesel option takes a glacial 17sec, which is truly awful. Our choice would be the 1.6 HDi - a 110bhp unit developed between PSA and Ford that returns an impressive 50.4mpg and emits just 140g/km of CO2. Sadly, this unit is only available in top-spec XTR trim, which hikes the price to over £15,000. Plump for the XTR, though, and you'll also get a styling pack that includes tinted glass, rub strips on the flanks, added ride height and a two-tone front end design. It's not our cup of tea but certainly makes for a distinctive look.
Like the C4 Picasso, the Multispace rides well, and handles corners competently, although you're never going to forget this is a van-shaped car. It does suffer from significant body roll, only made worse by stowing heavier items in that Modutop ceiling. Improved aerodynamics and insulation mean wind and road noise are much reduced over the previous model, though.
The Berlingo Multispace looks every inch the functional family-shifter that it is, but it does offer startling practicality in reasonable comfort.