The Ford Smax was introduced in 2006 so in car terms has been with us for a while now. The car has been widely reviewed and the trim and choice refined and expanded since. The consensus is that this is a good car and we'd agree, in fact for many it is a great car. It drives very well, is extremely practical and easy to live with and very good on the eye, but which one to choose?

If we start with the engines the choice is huge ranging in 1.9 to 2.5 litre petrol models and 1.8 to 2.2 litre diesels. The case for a petrol is week with higher ownership costs in terms of road fund licence and fuel costs, so the sensible choice is diesel, but again which one?

On paper it look simple, the 2.2 TDCi has an amazing 175ps and combined fuel economy of 42.8mpg, but what about in the real world? We've tried all three and our suggestion is you do too in order to choose the right one for you. We found the 1.8TDCi, despite its respectable 125ps, to be a little sluggish at times around town and overtaking. On the open road and motorways it zips along merrily and returned amazing fuel economy. Sluggish is something that cannot be said for the 2.2 TDCi which was very fast, catching many outside laners by surprise on the motorway and making overtaking effortless. However the fuel consumption we returned was well below the official figures, never once breaking 40mpg regardless of the trip. The 2.0TDCi would win it for us. With 140ps it was brisk and frugal, definitely our first choice.

Ok so which trim level? Well now its all a bit more personal. None of the trims are what you'd call "pauper spec" though when the car is so pretty having wheel trims seems a shame. The car is the best looking MPV on the road today and as you go up the trim levels the styling just makes it look better and better. The Titanium X with sports kit looks brilliant. the alloys finish the car off and the dark privacy glass works really well. Sensibly the Zetec is the car of choice, we'd just upgrade the wheels