SHOULD you be lucky enough to have a say in the next car you own, there are a few points to be considered. These can be separated into two simple lists: things you want, and things you need. You may have something different, but most people have wants that include sexy styling, outrageous performance and the ability to leave bystanders slack-jawed in amazement.

These are all very well, but ask anyone who has owned a car like this and they will tell you that for the vast majority of the time it is a complete pain to live with. Which is where the list of needs comes in - so say hello to the Kia Carens. Kia is doing a rather fine job of producing a range of cars that are unfailingly dependable and capable, and the Carens is possibly the most versatile of the lot.

The Carens is a medium sized MPV, or compact in marketing speak, and its exterior styling goes a long way to explaining its generous interior dimensions.

The front end is relatively car-like, but from the windscreen backwards it looks like the next size up. The upshot of this is that the Carens feels far from intimidating from the driver's seat but the cavern behind you is capable of serious haulage. It's like a conventional hatchback that's been given a healthy stretch upwards, so you get more space in the same footprint.

Step inside and the Carens makes even more sense. Park in the driver's seat and the slightly raised driving position is a welcome surprise, while the large windscreen contributes to the excellent visibility. The dashboard layout is instantly understandable, with everything where it should be and chunky controls which are a pleasure to use.

The layout is also designed to maximise the space on offer: a foot-operated parking brake frees up space in the centre console, there are large door bins, a tray underneath the passenger seat and the centre console cubby is large enough to swallow a holiday's worth of CDs. There's stacks of space for passengers too. The Carens is available with five or seven seats, but in either guise the amount of room available is impressive given the car's exterior dimensions.

When not in use the third row of seats fold into the floor effortlessly to leave a large boot, and even with passengers installed there is still a decent boot on offer. The option to fold all the seats down leaves a cavernous 2106 litres of space with an impressively flat floor, or the front seats can tilt back to give a bed for two. To drive, the Carens is completely painless, especially in diesel form. With a large chunk of torque available from very low revs, the Carens can cruise away even with a full load.

The six-speed gearbox snicks easily between ratios, while the steering, clutch and brakes are reassuring and undemanding. Press on and the diesel Carens will lift its skirts - 0-60mph is despatched in a brisk 11 seconds, but that doesn't tell the true story of an engine which pulls handsomely, even in higher gears. That makes motorway cruising a breeze too, and with comfortable seats large distances are no problem.

As you might expect from a Kia, the Carens is well specified.

The only options on this top-spec LS model are metallic paint, sat-nav and a DVD player for the rear. Climate control, an electric sunroof, cruise control and a good quality audio system are all standard, even with the modest price tag. This is the crux of the Carens' appeal. It packs into a compact shape all the space and equipment most families could reasonably need, while at the same time offers impressive value for money and running costs. Who knows, it might even save you enough money to satisfy some of your wants.