The Market - Just because you need a small car, there's no reason why it can't be almost as versatile as a larger one. Such is the concept behind the Supermini-sized MPV People Carrier.

It's easy to get this category confused with that of Renault Scenic or Vauxhall Zafira-sized mini-MPVs - and many do. While mini-MPVs like these are based on Family Hatchbacks like the Renault Megane or the Vauxhall Astra, Supermini-sized MPVs are, you've guessed it, based on Superminis - Mitsubishi Colts, Toyota Yaris's and the like. Or they're based on very small vans, as in the case of Citroen's Berlingo Multispace and Renault's Kangoo.

Being based on an even smaller donor car means even more compromises in terms of MPV versatility. So much so that some of the manufacturers who claim to compete in this sector have to work quite hard to define what makes their 'Supermini-MPV' entrants different from conventional Superminis. The answer tends to fall down to two things: a slightly higher driving position with the consequently higher roof height (for that MPV 'feel') and an added dash of versatility.

*Cheep & Cheerful

The Supermini-MPV sector was born in the late Nineties, so don't go expecting to find anything priced at the bargain end of the spectrum. The class only really began to develop when Mazda's Demio and Mitsubishi's Space Star were announced in 1998. Both used slightly inflated bodyshells to offer significantly more space than conventional Superminis and included clever rear benches that could slide forwards and back.

At this stage, the European makers weren't prepared to go the whole hog and develop new rivals for these Far Eastern products, but they were prepared to stick their toes in the water by converting existing small van models. Citroen's Berlingo Multispace was the first of these to hit the market in 1998, with Renault's Kangoo following on a year later. With five doors, the Renault held an initial advantage (eventually negated by the arrival of a five-door Berlingo Multispace in 2000).

*Affordable Mid-Rangers

Toyota's Yaris Verso, arguably the defining car in this sector, was launched in 1999 and spurred an immediate improvement in the quality of product on offer. Here was a Supermini that really had been properly converted into an MPV, with interior space almost akin to a Family Hatchback-based mini-MPV from the next class up. Its biggest rivals, the van-based Renault Kangoo and Citroen Berlingo Multispace, showed far less design flair but offered more space. By the turn of the century, Renault had added a more potent dTi turbo diesel engine option, while Citroen had at last redesigned the Berlingo to accommodate two extra doors. Japanese rivals were also busy freshening up their options. Mazda launched the MK2 version of their Demio in the Summer of 2000 and not long afterwards, Mitsubishi introduced a 1.6-litre engine option on their Space Star.

*Desirable But Potentially Pricey

A late, low mileage Toyota Yaris Verso won't be cheap but it's arguably the car with the best grasp of the Supermini-MPV concept. It's beaten for value and sheer carrying capacity however, by the cruder van-based Citroen Berlingo Multispace and Renault Kangoo models, which have the further advantage of being available in diesel forms. Due to Citroen's inexplicable decision not to offer its HDi diesel engine in the Multispace, the Renault holds the advantage here, though in the Citroen's favour are better handling and a full-length fabric sliding roof that was standard on all models (as opposed to just the plusher versions, as was the case with the Kangoo).

Not much else is worth bothering with, to be frank. Mazda's MK2 Demio (from '00) and Mitsubishi's Space Wagon (from '98) both have rear seats that adjust in a variety of positions and slide back and forth - but that's about it in terms of versatility. Daihatsu's YRV and Suzuki's Ignis (both from early '01) claim an MPV 'feel' but don't back it up with any real substance in terms of MPV features. Better is Fiat's dull but practical Doblo (from '01), another car looking for a slice of the 'converted van' sector of the market.

* What To Look For

The brightly-coloured trim often used on the seats can show up the regular unpleasant stains caused by kids and pets: check carefully. Check too for leaky sunroofs and carefully test all the electrical bits and pieces: niggly problems here are commonplace.

What To Pay - Examples

Cheep & Cheerful - Older Mazda Demio MK1'99-'00 - £3,600-£4,100 (R to S-plate)

Newer Citroen Berlingo Multispace 3dr - £4,000-£4,600 (S to T-plate)

Affordable Mid-Rangers - Older Daihatsu Grand Move -£3,300-£3,900 (T to V-plate)

Newer Renault Kangoo - £4,300-£5,100 (V to W-plate)

Desirable - But Potentially Pricey -

Older Toyota Yaris Verso - £6,900-£8,000 (W to X-plate)

Newer Mitsubishi Space Star - £5,800-£7,600 (X to Y-plate)