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  1. Five of the best new family cars for less than £20,000
  2. Vauxhall Insignia, Create a buzz, not a hum
  3. Hyundai i800, Mass appeal
  4. Ford Kuga, Dynamic sports utility
  5. Nissan Qashqai, Mould breaker
  6. Renault Scenic, Mainstream MPV

Ford Kuga, Dynamic sports utility

The small SUV party was pretty much in full swing last year, with a raft coming along to provide family buyers with the style, space, driving experience and kudos of a 4x4, but on a scale more socially acceptable to other road users. Some people absolutely despise 4x4s, yet smaller versions seem to slip under the radar of hatred a little more easily. Ford's Kuga is a superb example of why the genre is so appetising, though we could just as easily have picked the VW Tiguan. The BMW X3, Audi Q5 and Volvo XC60 do a similar thing, but they're much more expensive.

The Kuga is good because it has enough space to carry four in comfort, while still leaving room for a big boot and a 4x4 drivetrain. And smart as it is, Ford has recognised that its car will rarely stray off the beaten track, so it has made its off-roader handle more like a hatchback so it's fun to drive, all the while having a bit of that 'get out of the way' road presence and safe-feeling high driving position. Style-conscious families go down the mini-SUV route these days, and we can see why.

Mark Nichol