The medium-sized MPV market is turning into a warzone. Battle lines are being drawn between those that believe we want five seats (Renault Scenic, Ford C-Max, Citroen Picasso) and those that believe we want seven (Vauxhall Zafira, Grand Scenic).
But right from word go we've got the VW Touran available in both five and seven seat versions, the latter a £500 option that folds flat into the floor.
Despite the importance of the Touran's people carrying abilities, we can't hide our interest in the way it drives. Simple really, it's our first taste of the Golf Mk 5 platform - Audi A3 aside - on UK roads.
A few hundred yards shows it drives like no current Golf ever could. The Touran flows down the road with real poise, containing vertical body movements well and resisting roll, especially on the Sports suspension-equipped versions we were driving.
There's an excellent ride too, while a VW driver can now appreciate steering with genuine accuracy.
There's three engines available at launch but the 2.0-litre TDi tested here is the most interesting. A four valves per cylinder development of the ubiquitous 1.9 TDi, it pulls strongly, revs freely and has a substantial 236lb ft of torque on tap over a wide band.
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