The new Chevrolet Captiva will captivate those Yummy Mummys

A new car seems to be on the market practically every other week, so what's the justification behind shelling out £16.995 upwards for this particular model? Looking like a hybrid of a 4x4 mated with a protesting people carrier, the Captiva is roomy, but with non of the bulk. It has the chunky appeal of the SUV brand but with the added features of a Euro 4 diesel powerplant which allows greater fuel economy. It's also great for all those families out here as there is the option of turning it into a seven seater with fold aways seats.

The cabin itself is pretty spacious an comfortable, with high standard extras such as a integrated MP3 player, electric locking, and comfortable seats. There is a surprising amount of leg room, even for the fold up seats and active roller protection prevents the car from slipping in rainy terrain. The hydraulic brake assist enables smooth changes between gears and I liked the amount of storage compartments the drivers seat held, from ceiling mounted sunglasses holders to a large beverage holder.

The car itself drives really smoothly, though the size of the engine means it's possible to speed almost accidentally, as I was doing 30 MPH and was still in 2nd gear before I realized I should switch. It has great acceleration, as it goes from 0-60 in 11.5 seconds, though as it's such a large car you probably want to avoid cutting up other drivers. It handles really nicely, with very smooth steering and able to take corners and turns like a pro. the engine does get a little clunky at particularly fast speeds, but it's a very smooth drive.

This car comes into its own on the safety front, with Chevrolet really making a name for itself as a super reliable brand that provides all round quality and comfort. The Captiva has side impact bars to reinforce the front and rear doors, and its equipped with twin airbags for the front seats plus curtain shaped roof airbags and side airbags for added peace of mind. the bodyshell is made from bake hardened steel which offers a high level of accident protection. As well as that there are seat belt warning beeps, so you have to buckle up of face tinnitus for the rest of the day.

Wary parkers will love the reverse sensors and even boys will take pleasure in driving such a 'manly' vehicle (there are a range of colours to choose from). The alloy wheels give the car a little pimp edge and the SUV-like characteristics do make you feel like queen of the road. Due to the 5 seat/7 seat combo it's great for those school trips, as well as being roomy enough to fit all your holiday suitcases.

Price wise they start at £16,995 going all the way to £25 k, which does seem like a lot, as not all the extras are included on the cheaper models, buy hey, can you put a price on your families safety? They're hoping you do.. and this is their answer.