Rightly or wrongly, we associate certain cars with kicking off certain market niches. The Citroen Berlingo Multispace wasn't the first van fitted with windows and adapted for family transport, just as the Renault Scenic wasn't the first mini-MPV and the Audi Quattro wasn't the first all-wheel drive sports coupe. It's just that like these vehicles, the Berlingo Multispace became the definitive example of its ilk. The latest Berlingos take the rather basic formula and improve upon it in a number of ways.

The current models can be picked out from previous generations by way of the translucent central section in their rear light clusters, their revised side indicators, the body-coloured number plate mouldings and their thicker side rubbing strips. Clear-lensed headlamps meanwhile, bring a touch of Tiffany jewellery to the front of a car that many would consider more Elizabeth Duke at Argos. But that would be to sell the Berlingo Multispace well short. Yes, it is cheap and cheerful, but it's also a car that ruthlessly targets a specific market. It's a market that values rugged, inexpensive family transport. It's also a market that has developed to demand more than a bread van with windows. And sure enough, the Berlingo Multispace has developed to meet such demands.

Take pricing. All-in, the latest models are priced even more aggressively than ever, the range starting at £10,610 for the 1.4i model, with the 75bhp 1.6HDi diesel priced at £11,395, the 1.6i 16v at £11,110 and the range-topping 92bhp 1.6HDi still hardly breaking the bank at £11,945. These prices are for the basic Forte trim but you can also try an up-spec Desire. With sales greater than the Renault Kangoo and the Peugeot Partner Combi combined, the Berlingo is by far the dominant player in this surprisingly significant market sector.

The dashboard features a centrally-mounted display screen, a steering wheel with stereo controls and a number of stowage areas. A Comfort Pack option offers aircraft-style trays on the back of the front seats, front folding armrests and Citroen's Modubox system in the boot. Priced at an almost laughable £60, this is one box well worth ticking when specifying your Berlingo.

"With sales that greater than the Renault Kangoo and the Peugeot Partner Combi combined, the Berlingo is by far the dominant player?"

Although the Berlingo still represents an inexpensive way of transporting a growing family, it's no longer the basic 2CV successor many once reckoned it to be. After all, how many 2CVs were fitted with digital multiplex wiring that allows a 'guide me home' function on the headlights or progressive dimming cabin lights? The sophisticated electronics also make the fitting of functions such as a key fob operated 'location' facility, automatic door locking and speed sensitive stereo volume simplicity itself. Safety is fairly impressive too, with the current car incorporating a reinforced body structure for improved impact resistance. Standard safety equipment includes anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution, twin front airbags, side lateral airbags and three three-point seat belts in the back.

The most notable feature of this model is still its vast folding roof. Yes, it is an option but most take it up. In this case, it's electrically operated and retracts to give an aperture of some 20-square feet - almost four times as big as a standard sunroof. Should it start to rain, the roof takes only around 12 seconds to close, at which point, if you're in the middle of a picnic, you can take shelter beneath the raised tailgate. At over 4ft wide, this doubles up as a large umbrella and raises high enough for party of six footers to stand beneath it. The other option that can be fitted instead of the sunroof is Citroen's Modutop system, a set of aircraft style overhead lockers that greatly adds to the amount of usable carrying space available.

To complete the lifestyle picture, you'd expect the seats to come out (a la 2CV, Renault Megane Scenic or Mercedes A-class), but alas, they don't. Not to worry, there's still a huge amount of space on offer and access to the rear is made simple by the standard fitment of two rear sliding doors. On the road, given the car's commercial ancestry, you might be expecting a less than exhilarating driving experience. In which case, you'll be in for a pleasant surprise. As mentioned earlier, Citroen offer four different units: the 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre petrols as well as two 1.6-litre HDi diesels.

The result isn't something you'll be finding excuses to drive, but a vehicle that doesn't handle too badly either, with surprisingly little roll considering the height of the vehicle. The sixteen-valve 110bhp 1.6-litre engine offers 20% more power than the old eight valve 1.8, hand in hand with 25% better fuel economy, a serious failing of the older powerplant. For real economy however, you need to go for the 2.0 HDi, which is even more frugal than the older diesel option, returning a combined fuel figure of 47.9mpg.

The Citroen Berlingo Multispace is the main reason the van-based MPV sector is one of the hottest tickets around. It's finding plenty of favour among those buyers wanting a serious amount of space with a comedy price tag. Some may suggest that, with the various revisions made over the years, the Berlingo has matured a little. That may be the case but, make no mistake, it's an undeniably better car than before. Depressingly for Citroen's rivals, the Berlingo Multispace will always be - in this neck of the woods at least - the definitive article.

TOP 5 BERLINGO MULTISPACE DEALS

The results below show the top BERLINGO MULTISPACE deals on buyacar

	Citroen Berlingo Multispace 1.6 HDi Desire 5dr DSL People Carrier
	ETR	Mthly £185	Saving £1,722	Price £10,413
	Citroen Berlingo Multispace 1.4i Forte 5dr People Carrier
	ETR	Mthly £162	Saving £2,004	Price £8,936
	Citroen Berlingo Multispace 1.6i 16V Forte 5dr People Carrier
	ETR	Mthly £169	Saving £2,119	Price £9,321
	Citroen Berlingo Multispace 1.6i 16V Desire 5dr People Carrier
	ETR	Mthly £174	Saving £2,213	Price £9,637
	Citroen Berlingo Multispace 1.6 HDi Forte 5dr DSL People Carrier
	ETR	Mthly £180	Saving £1,648	Price £10,077

typical 11.57% APR

PCP finance quote over 48 months,  10,000 miles pa,  deposit of £1000