SUVs look tough and deliver a command driving position - unless everyone else is also sitting up high-and-mighty in a hulking off-roader - but they really don't have the people or carrying capacity you might expect.

Even seven-seater SUVs are usually cramped in the back row and you should try fitting a family's luggage needs in the rear when all the seats are occupied.

People movers aren't trendy, and they aren't attractive, but there are times when a big box on wheels really is the best solution.

Volkswagen got the people movement going with the Kombi, then Chrysler switched the action to the USA before Toyota revolutionised things with the Tarago - named after a NSW country town outside Canberra.

These days there are people movers to suit most families and budgets, and these are the obvious contenders:

Chrysler Grand Voyager
A fading star that suffers from an ageing design and poor cabin quality, as well as pricetag that means it's a premium contender in a class where there is much better value.

Price: from $57,500
Seats: 7
Engine: 2.8 litre turbodiesel 120kW/360Nm
Transmission: 6-sp auto FWD
Thirst: 8.4L/100km; 111g/km CO2

Citroen C4 Picasso
One of Europe's best people movers drives well and has some great design touches, including a front windscreen that rolls up to the roof. Hurt in Australia by the questions over anything with a Citroen badge.

Price: from $39,490
Seats: 7
Engine: 2.0 litre turbodiesel 100kW/270Nm
Transmission: 6-sp auto FWD
Thirst: 5.3L/100km; 137g/km CO2

Honda Odyssey
It's getting old but it still does the job, and the price is nice. The Odyssey is not as big as some, and the performance suffers when you load it up, but it is still a smart choice.

Price: from $37,100
Seats: 7
Engine: 2.4L petrol, 132kW/218Nm
Transmission: 5-speed automatic, FWD
Thirst: 8.9L/100km, 212g/km CO2

Kia Grand Carnival
The top choice with the Carsguide crew, thanks to everything from a big body to an available turbodiesel engine and electric sliding doors on the top model. Value is great and there is a big spread of models.

Price: from $38,990
Seats: 8
Engine: 2.2L turbodiesel 143kW/429Nm or 3.5L V6 petrol 202kW/336Nm
Transmission: 6-spd auto FWD
Thirst: 8.1L/100km (diesel), 10.9L/100km (petrol)

Mercedes-Benz Viano
It's the Rolls-Royce of minivans, in Australia at least, lifting the working class Vito van to new highs of comfort and class. Too boxy for some people, but the badge provides plenty of compensation.

Price: from $78,990
Seats: 6-8
Engine: 3.0L turbodiesel 165kW/440Nm
Transmission: 5-spd auto RWD
Thirst: 8.6L/100km; 226g/km CO2

Toyota Tarago
The people mover that time - and Toyota - forgot. Once the best of the breed, particularly in the days of the `giant egg' model, but now just a boring box that's too expensive and doesn't come with a diesel engine.

Price: from $48,990
Seats: 7-8
Engine: 2.4L 4-cyl petrol, 125kW/224Nm or 3.5L V6 petrol 202kW/340Nm
Transmission: CVT auto, FWD
Thirst: 8.9L/100km, 207g/km CO2 or 10.3L/100km; 243g/km CO2