Sweetest of seven-seaters; MATTHEW TUMBRIDGE assesses three seven-seater and this is his verdict

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), August 6, 2008

Byline: MATTHEW TUMBRIDGE

ONE of the questions most com monly asked by car buyers is: "What's a good seven-seat car?"

Some people really don't want a 4x4 because they think people will frown upon them. Others don't want an MPV because they are still too vanlike. But sadly, they are the main options. Here are three of the best: the Ford S-Max, the Land Rover Discovery 3 and the Volvo XC90.

Ford S-Max:

Make: Ford Model: S-Max Interesting alternative to the super-sized peoplecarriers which is great to drive, practical and refined.

Much better-looking than most peoplec arriers .

It is safe and sensible too.

Most economical: 2.0 TDCi UsedCarExper t.co.uk checks to make: n/a Price of best buy: 2.0 TDCi Titanium from 2006 with 14,000 (average) miles will be around pounds 17,573.

Land Rover Discovery:

Make: Land Rover Model: Discovery III Huge improvement over old Discovery, which routinely seats seven in a wellfinished cabin.

Good off road, obviously, but also very good on, with lots of safety kit. Not cheap.

Most economical: TD V6 - 30mpg Used Car Expert.co.uk checks to make: 11 Price of best buy: A 2.7 TD SE from 2004 with 43,000 (average) miles will be pounds 19,852.

Volvo XC90:

Make: Volvo Model: XC90 A Volvo estate with more ground clearance and a lot more style.

Demand for the Volvo XC90 has been spectacular.

Prices remain firm but this is a sensible way to spend money on a 4x4.

Most economical: D5 - 34mpg UsedCarExper t.co.uk checks to make: 9 Price of best buy: A 2.4 D Executive Geartronic from 2004 with around 50,000 (average) miles will be pounds 18,117.