Articles by Anne Denny

That confession has killed forever any vague claim to being "in". People movers aren't supposed to be a must-have item for yummy mummies yearning for slimmed-down shapes and sex appeal.But when you're more soccer mum than yummy mum, you want space, LOTS of added features and ... did I say space?Soccer mums are supposed to worry about these practical things, and just accept that mud, scrapes and spilt juice are a fact of life of the family car.But people movers for a while have included all the gadgets that make our modern cars virtual moving entertainment units, and Toyota's put a fair bit of work into the Tarago's look.They've put in sleek lines with a swooping nose and curvy rear, and the interior provides more options than a sandwich bar. When you want to check out gizmos in a family car, you might as well bring the family. So we let them loose and before long they found a middle line of seats that slide forward or back; rear seats for one, or two, or three. Or they can flip forward to give more storage for must-have family items, like bikes.As a one-time owner of the previous-shape Tarago, I still prefer the older model's feature of the rear seats folding flat then up to the side – opening up plenty of floor space.However, we did find a couple of extra handy storage spots, even under the rear floor. And no matter which seat you're in, Tarago has provided plenty of cup holders, storage spaces and safety-conscious airbags. Our gadget-mad mob quickly discovered drink holders in every row, and storage pockets all over the place, including a small flip-lid for the driver – somewhere to put the phone out of temptation's reach.Tarago used to be the sexier model of the people-mover offerings and was pretty much priced to match.Experts tell me that other "buses" handle better, have more power or give better fuel economy. This could be true, but I just can't help it – I'm a girl who loves a Tarago.My childless friends raise their eyebrows and think I'm slightly unhinged for talking affectionately about a people mover.My friends with children nod knowingly.LOVE IT LEAVE ITToyota Tarago GLi 2.4lPrice: $48,990LOVE ITPlenty of handy storage spots; all that space; sleek styling; great safety features.LEAVE ITThe speedometer in the middle and high up on the dash – that angle keeps me craning to check I wasn't going to get a ticket; flip forward rear seats.

SAAB's 9-3 Aero V6 is a car for very grown-up girls.The shape impresses – smooth and sleek, and it sits on alloys.Open the door and slip into the most comfortable seat you could find. The only thing missing is the movie and the popcorn – or perhaps the caviar to match the car's style. Play with the switches at the side and the seat goes forward, backward, up, down or tilts. The driver's seat has three different memory settings so it's simply a case of fitting everything to your requirements and then hitting the button.Buttons are everywhere – they cover the dash and make it look as if you could take the SAAB to the airport and line up for takeoff.But all these buttons deliver great gadgets – all the sound you'll ever need and even an in-car phone. While SAAB has packed the Aero with features, they're trying to attract a wider customer base with lower prices.A favourite is the trip computer which shows how much farther to go before the fuel runs out.Little orange warning lights telling you to fill are one thing – a read-out telling you there are just a few kilometres until you stop is harder to ignore. And the best thing is it resets, depending on how hard you're driving. A perfect feature for those well accustomed to walking the road, trusty fuel can in hand.SAAB has dropped a Holden-built V6 under the bonnet but its SAAB-driven tweaks mean that this drives with much more grunt and style than your average family sedan.Plant the foot on a country road to overtake and the tweaks are apparent – be prepared to be flung back into those comfortable seats. Grown-up girls who like their grown-up comforts also need a little space and there's enough room in the back seat for a passenger or two – although a third could struggle with a cup holder popping out between their legs.If you're taking a few passengers for a country picnic in one of the state's great wine-tasting regions, rest assured – there's enough room in the boot for the picnic basket and the odd carton of grape juice.LOVE IT LEAVE ITSaab 9/3 Aero V6Price: $69,900 (man) $72,400 (auto)LOVE ITFront seats – electronic, heated and more comfortable than a lounge chair.Power, and plenty of it.Gorgeous shape, leather interior.Screen telling me how far until I run out of fuel.LEAVE ITNot-so-great visibility when backing.No middle back headrest for a bigger family.Not enough cup holders.