In your space

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 IT

Toyota Tarago GLi 2.4l

Price: $48,990

LOVE IT

Plenty of handy storage spots; all that space; sleek styling; great safety features.

LEAVE IT

The 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.