SKODA KODIAQ

Skoda’s first seven-seater ticks all the boxes when it comes to practicality, quality and price. It’s the largest car the brand has ever made, with a choice of five or seven seats. Opt for the latter and the back two easily fold up from the generous boot when you need them, leaving you with enough room for the weekly shop or a pushchair. The interior is spacious with plenty of cup holders, USB ports and good-sized storage spaces – some of which can be air-conditioned to keep food cool – which is always handy when you’re heading out for a woodland picnic or trip to the coast.

The Kodiaq is a handsome, yet understated, SUV with touches such as umbrellas hidden in the front doors and a handy ice scraper behind the fuel door when there’s a frosty morning. No hands free to open the boot? Opt for a system that operates it electronically by waving a foot near sensors in the bumper*.

A smartphone connects with the easy-tooperate infotainment system and there’s a good choice of petrol and diesel engines – along with the option of four-wheel-drive to help you stay in control in bad conditions. Safety is a strong point – all models are fitted with a system that automatically applies the brakes if it senses you’re about to hit something, along with a secondary one that slows the car down if you have an accident. From £21,765