I can only now fully appreciate the sheer space provided by Kia’s new mini MPV, the Venga, after watching it being driven away and me getting into our next test car (it’s a tough life). Lovely though the new one is, it felt rather dark and claustrophobic inside in comparison to the high ceiling of the Kia with its amazing panoramic roof and enough head room for a gorilla – or indeed my husband!

Watching Doctor Who with the kids, I saw the similarities to his faithful Tardis. Rather innocent but intriguing on the outside, and surprisingly spacious on the inside with delightful nooks and crannies, sliding seats, hidden compartments and space, space, space! Has the Tardis got sliding seats? Oh well…

It’s not a luxurious car like its also-recently-launched big brother the Sorento (video review coming soon), but has many redeeming features. One of the models (the diesel, the one on test here) proudly displays the Ecodynamics badge which it has earned through its low fuel consumption (over 62 mpg on a combine cycle) with CO2 emissions of only 117g/km. This model doesn’t come cheap however, but the gains over the course of its life would soon add up. This, together with the seven year warranty offered by Kia do make it a very attractive proposition.

But what I might be inclined to do is to wait a bit until a few second hand ones come on the market, so that I could take advantage of Kia’s used car programme. This tops the depleted warranty back up to seven years if the car is less that 18 months old or with less that 18,000 miles on the clock. Then a Kia Venga would really be excellent value. Or you could take the view that this makes buying a new one less of a risk because you wouldn’t have much trouble selling it after 18,000 miles?

Either way Kia seem hell-bent on taking the worry out of buying a new car, and with products coming along so much better than their predecessors they’re starting to appeal to our hearts as well.

That was the situation I found myself in last night where Ford had kindly invited me to join them at the Mojo Honours List awards in EC1. I arrived at Moorgate tube station with hand-drawn map only to find that none of the road names coincided with what I had confidently sketched earlier.

Help was at hand in the form of a street map and a guy minding his own business standing next to it, who, when asked, took out his phone and searched the address for me. Not only was I struck at how kind and helpful this guy was, but the fact that when the map appeared on his phone he did the girlie thing (or at least I’m told it’s girlie, whereas I just think it’s the obvious thing to do) and turned his phone around so the map was pointing in the right direction!

Two myths in one thrown out the window. People are amazingly kind and helpful (I’m a great believer that what goes around comes around), and reading maps up-side-down is for those people just trying to be clever.

I walked up the red carpet into the awards with a spring in my step and not a care that all the paparazzi never even glanced in my direction!

And as for the awards evening? All rather bemusing but great fun with lots of oldies up there getting their awards. Made me feel young again. And my kids started today off well with a gift from Ford in the form of one of their iconic transit vans – scaled down of course!

A beautiful, sports car that has a practical side? Now that’s just being silly. And quite frankly when I actually first set eyes on the extraordinary Peugeot RCZ, any thoughts of a practical nature went straight out of the window. Except that is, what could I do to own one!

Often photos can give a false impression, so that you end up being slightly disappointed and let down when you see the real thing. But although the RCZ looks stunning in the press photos it doesn’t flatter to deceive: it’s even better looking in the flesh, trust me.

It is gorgeous, and while I wasn’t quite as taken with the interior as I was with the 308 CC (they’re very similar so perhaps it just looked slightly familiar) it couldn’t fail to impress.

I did eventually get to see the boot and realised that you could get a family in there should you want to, and if not, you could fill it with all manner of shopping, and even a bike should the urge take you.

Sitting in the RCZ felt fantastic; I felt as if my legs had elongated as I got comfortable in the low driving position with my legs stretched out to connect with the shiny alloy pedals. I suppose I’m so used to sitting up high in a rigid, tense position in the family car full of kids, that I had got to the point where I thought that was the only driving position possible. The large sculpted rear window allows great visibility and lets in a lot of light, so that driving becomes a more relaxed experience.

So not only is the RCZ a joy to drive, but it’s also very frugal. Peugeot, like all manufacturers, have the health of the planet on their conscience and are constantly making strides towards reducing the carbon footprint of their products. And Peugeot’s diesel engines (the petrol engines aren’t that far behind either) are famously good.

But surely the most satisfying feeling is being in a car that really turns heads. Another RCZ came hurtling towards us as we were driving along and it made you realise what an impression they make. It may be shallow, but this car really does have rather a lot of road presence, and by default, as a driver you can’t help but feel some of it rubbing off on you.

Trouble is, they’re not making many of these so I’m going to have to be quick trying to persuade the family that the RCZ would be an ideal replacement for our ancient Corsa as a second car…

The Skoda Yeti could be the answer. It’s such a pleasing car on so many different levels. While zooming around town (as the 1.8 petrol TSi does) it’s hard to believe that this easy to drive and manoeuvrable car can actually cope with very rough and unpredictable terrain. While it vaguely has the looks of a four-wheel drive in a cheeky, urban type of way, it certainly doesn’t scream at your 4 x 4 coming through, move over or else!

But I have seen proof of its skills on the shores of Loch Ness, as this car was put through its paces. Up incredibly steep slopes and down again, sometimes with one wheel so far away from any kind of solid surface that you felt it was bound to topple over! It didn’t may I add. And then it was my turn, through woods and water (the very same shared by the creature of the deep) and with my heart in my mouth, despite a brilliant instructor by my side, I was able to experience first hand how this car can cope with all sorts of terrain from hideous inclines and descents, to mud, stones, deep gullies and plenty more besides.

As well as being blessed with all these abilities, it’s also attractive, spacious without being cumbersome to park, won’t have people giving you filthy looks for destroying the planet and will give peace of mind for those snowy, icy days.

And when not coping with wintry conditions, it provides a responsive, comfortable, versatile family car that seems to have thought of everything that a driver could need. I love the interactive steering wheel, satnav, and would definitely go for the panoramic sunroof, leather seats etc etc. It could start to get expensive, but that is another plus point for this car as it comes in many different trim options and engine size. There really is something for everybody.

So back to clambering into a Ford Ranger and my first thoughts being, who would buy such a monster, and my finishing thoughts were…rather nice if you have the matching lifestyle – and off my mind went yet again into fairy tale world of living another life. Or maybe I’m just fickle. Show me a bit of nice paint work and a pleasant car to drive and I can convince myself it’s what my life is missing. Mind you, husband would love it, not for any adventurous activities that he takes part in (because he doesn’t), but for the maleness of it all.

Once you’ve banished thoughts of those dusty trucks so prevalent in the Mid-West, with supped up wheels and men in cow boy hats, and actually driven one, I can understand the need for such a vehicle for certain businesses and lifestyles. And what makes it all the more appealing, setting it worlds apart from other 4 x 4s, is the fact that you can’t label this car as having kerb appeal or as a status symbol.

This is a true work horse, a dressed up truck with no illusions of grandeur, yet with a fair amount of comfort and one that’s easy to drive and manoeuvre, to the point where I kept forgetting I was driving a truck apart from when glimpsed in the huge wing mirrors!

But step inside the passenger version of the new Fiat Doblo, and the image changes to family outings and adventures done in comfort and a certain amount of style. With no worries about the car being ruined with muddy wellies and bikes, due to it’s van-like utilitarian interior, children can be returned home filthy after a secret seven-type of adventure.

Fiat describe it as an honest, credible car with great driving characteristics. Despite the name, this is a brand new car. No up-gardes, no facelift and no collaboration – it’s all Fiat. It has a new Chassis, engine, suspension and transmission and while five seats come as standard, for those adventures, seven seats are available.

So why might you be tempted by this not so little number? It’s spacious, actually quite good fun to drive being amazingly agile despite its shape, very well priced (cheapest one comes in at £12,295), low CO2 emissions, great fuel economy thanks in part to its Start & Stop technology and can cope with a car load of messy kids, not to mention adults. But for me, any car that has sliding doors is a must. I will grow out of this phase one day – according to my mother, my life has been full of phases -  but for now, with kids that can’t be trusted to open car doors with care, sliding doors are essential for my mental health.

While it’s boxy looks might be off-putting to more fussy people, this new Doblo has a certain charm to its appearance, once you get over the fact that you are driving a van-like vehicle. It stands out from the crowd, and is perfect for an active family who put practicality before snobbery.

Whizzing into town is a breeze as it’s not too big, and then this weekend six of us girls (of varying sizes) are going away for a break. That’ll be the true test, both of the car and of our friendships!

We’re testing the turbo petrol version which is incredibly refined (perhaps we’ve been driving too many diesels recently?) but at first glance seems to enjoy a drink…

Just to prove that the Women and Wheels cameraman has a tough job after all. Our full Peugeot 5008 First Drive Story coming later this week…

The Look

If like me you remember the Golf the first time round there will be no surprises in the looks department as seemingly very little has changed over the years – this is still recognisably a Golf. However, for those unfamiliar with the look it is one of understated elegance and design with the detailing of the headlamps and tail lights in particular blending in beautifully. Closing the doors gives the reassuring thud of a well-made car. In fact, everything you touch gives the impression of being very solid and well-made…

The Drive

The thing that stood out the most for me was being able to park in a tight parking space in a crowded car park in what seemed like one manouvre. There was no to-ing or fro-ing or straightening up, just straight in. Possibly it’s something to do with the speed-sensitive power-assisted electro-mechanical steering (to quote the blurb)! Either ~way, the whole thing’s very easy. With the engine letting off a healthy growl on acceleration and a heavier steering at speed it felt solid and safe. I found the gearbox a bit sticky and kept going into first instead of reverse. It was a comfortable ride: not too soft and it coped well with all the local speed bumps where some cars flounder. I did like the sensor indicating a visual gear change recommendation for optimum fuel consumption.

Space

There are all the usual useful cubby holes for drink bottles and the door bins in our model were lined with carpet and the glove box lined with velour. A nice touch! And mustn’t forget the all-important dedicated sunglass holder. There is also a foldaway cup holder for the back seat passengers. The moveable central armrest housed an Ipod ~connection, almost essential nowadays but amazing how many cars leave this out. The boot was big enough and there is a useful “ski hatch” between the boot and the rear passenger seats for carrying long items without having to fold down any seats, which in turn gives you easy access to the contents of the boot when sitting in the rear without having to resort to gymnastics trying to retrieve an item from the boot whilst on the move. Or you could always carry lots of skis, as we do in Kilburn.

The Interior

It all feels reassuringly, well, German. Well-made and high-quality with lots of attention to detail, which is probably what sets this car apart. No cheap tricks, no fancy styling, just simple elegance and efficiency. Air vents in the back are good . Height and reach-adjustable steering and the front seats benefit from height and lumbar adjustment. Lovely leather-trimmed steering wheel which feels just perfect, plus a leather gear-knob and handbrake grip.

Safety

Isofix child seat mounts for two outer rear seats, driver and front passenger front airbags with deactivation switch on the passenger’s airbag, head airbag system for front and rear passengers, including front side airbags. Here we go with the acronyms: ABS anti-lock brakes with EBD, ESP including EDL and ASR. Should help keep you on the road…

Green

BlueMotion refers to the most fuel and CO2 efficient model in each of VW’s passenger car ranges. BlueMotion models use existing but modified diesel engines and feature changes to gearing, aerodynamics and tyres to produce low-cost vehicles that match or beat hybrids currently ~available in the UK market. All BlueMotion engines also have as standard an oxidation catalyst and a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) which reduce oxides of nitrogen and carbon particles almost to zero. CO2 emissions are a comparatively healthy 119 g/km and the combined MPG is 62.8. In essence this is an ordinary Golf which has had its mechanics and aerodynamics tweaked to offer ultimate efficiency rather than performance, although we should add that this car’s no slouch.

Cost

On the road this model comes in at £16,775.00 with a lot of creature comforts as standard fittings including automatic coming/leaving home lighting function, dusk sensor, automatic driving lights, rain sensor and automatic dimming interior rear-view mirror, ‘Climatic’ air conditioning, cruise control, eight-speaker stereo with CD player and alloy wheels. Pretty competitive with the hybrid gang.

Who

Anyone who wants a classic, stylish well made car with a great image without going down the hybrid route.

See also our Focus RS first drive feature here

Ford are very proud of the Focus RS as a stunningly effective driver’s car, with good reason if the reviews are anything to go by (see our First Drive story here). Anything that gets Steve Sutcliffe from Autocar so animated must be pretty special. But Ford are also proud of the fact that they’ve been able to bring this car to the market at all, let alone with a £25,000 price tag, which is where our factory tour came in.

As if we needed any more reasons to be weary of our old chum The Credit Crunch, producing cars that enhance a brand’s image but don’t actually make any money is something manufacturers can no longer indulge in. Ford had to make sure that this new RS could be produced on the same line, at the same time and in the same factory as every other Focus. They couldn’t take cars off the line for ~any reason, or slow the line down to add extra components. Previous incarnations of the RS had to be whisked off to specialist suppliers for the “fast bits” to be fitted, which made the car expensive and slow to make. ~It was also a process that allowed quality issues to creep in because the process couldn’t be as accurately managed.

I was lucky enough to be asked by Ford to fly to Saarlouis in Germany with Richard Bremner for an article published in Autocar magazine. While doing the stills photography I also made the short video you can see above with the hope of showing what goes on behind the scenes in an ultra-modern car factory. It’s an awe-inspiring experience because of the sheer scale of the operation, although I’m always impressed by how calm and measured everything seems, despite that fact that 1,600 cars a day come out of this building!

Of course we missed the last flight back from Luxemboug and had to hire a rental car to hurtle back to the UK in time for work the next day, but that’s a story for another time…